Simviation Forum - ScreenArtist Spotlight Mitch

Oct 14^th, 2009 at 8:42am

ShaneG Offline
Colonel
I turned into a Martian!

Posts: 10000

Studio V: Mitch, it's great to finally sit down with you and find out a few of the things that you've learned about your screenart craft..

Mitch: G'day Guys, firstly I'd like to thank Shane for giving me a moment in the 'spotlight'. Where does one begin. Well, my first experience with flight simming was when I received 'Flight Unlimited II' as a gift, I was hooked and later upgraded to III. This wasn't enough and I happily moved to Microsoft and FS2000. Upgrading as they came out: FS2002, FS9 and now FSX. I can tell you that we've come along way. It was with my purchase of FSX that I went looking for addons, leading me to this madhouse. It was after joining the forums that I discovered screenshooting and my first attempts were rather shocking. But with the help of our members I thankfully improved, or at least I hope.

1. StudioV: We know you spend a good deal of time moderating and posting at SimV, but would you tell us what some of the other hobbies and interests you enjoy are...

Mitch: Well, as some may know I'm currently learning the art of flying. I've been flying since I was 8 on PA38 Tomahawks and I now currently fly the 172S Skyhawk. Aiming at obtaining my PPL during 2010. Another interest is photography, people would've seen my photo's from the local airport (YSCN) and I always enjoy a spotting trip down to Kingsford Smith (YSSY). Still learning as I go. Being an Australian, its natural for me to love my sport: Cricket, Rugby League, Motor Racing, Rugby Union, AFL, Baseball, Soccer you name it I'll play it. I played cricket for a local club for awhile, really enjoyed it, good fun outdoors with your mates.

2. StudioV: I've noticed that you post quite a lot in the Payware forums. Do you feel that Payware items (e.g. aircraft, scenery etc) help to improve shots?

Mitch: No not particularly. I am mostly restricted to posting in the Payware section now because of REX. By all means I still enjoy a good freeware aircraft/scenery. Obviously my first shots on SimV contained all freeware but as time progressed I built up a nice collection of payware toys. I've experienced certain pieces of freeware that deserve to be payware and are as good as some payware, which is a credit to the developers. A lot of great shots can be taken using just freeware, take the monthly screenshot contest for example. They can only post freeware yet they produce some of the best shots going around. Don't feel obliged to buy payware just to improve your shots, its just about finding the best pieces of freeware.

3. StudioV: I'm sure over time you've developed preferences for the type of aircraft you fly. Can you fill us in on which are your preferred aircraft models and why.

Mitch: To be honest I don't have any particular favourite model or type. I generally do most of my flying in Australia whether its tubes along the east cost or general aviation, low and slow enjoying the scenery. However, I do enjoy performing mock airshow routines in a variety of aircraft and my particular favourite is the Acceleration F/A-18 Hornet. I have developed a personal airshow routine for this aircraft, thanks to the many airshows I have witnessed where the RAAF would display their Hornets. Solid aircraft, great handling, makes a lot of noise and goes fast, do you need anything more then that?

Having said that I can't go past a classic radial. Constellation, Catalina, Dakota, Invader, Bearcat just to name a few. Who doesn't enjoy the sound of a large growling radial?

4. StudioV: As the winner of the Head 2 Head competition, it's obvious that you must know a thing or two about taking great screenshots. What advice would you have for some of our more inexperienced screenshot artists to help them advance their screenshot art skills?

Mitch: Be creative, try new things, experiment with different setups. Anybody can take a screenshot but it takes someone special to create screenart. Get out there and try something new, something we haven't seen. Relating back to a previous question where it doesn't matter whether the shot contains freeware or payware. A good screenshot is in the eye of the artist so it all comes down to individual tastes. You don't need a high-end system for the perfect shot anyone with a low-end system and easily pause the sim, crank up the settings and wait 47 minutes for it to load before taking a shot.

To me, originality, creative angles and realism are the keys to good shots. And this is what I try to achieve in my shots. Sometimes I get it other times I don't. Just get out there and check out other peoples shots, they are the biggest influences and be prepared for constructive criticism. And before you know it, you will posting high quality shots.

5. StudioV: Every person's FS worlds are different, and we all know that screenshooting isn't just about the aircraft. What other additions have you included in your FS world?

Mitch: REX, FTX and a few airport sceneries, keep in mind these are payware but worth every cent. For FSXers we are limited in terms of good freeware addon scenery. Although we are lucky to have some very nice freeware photoreal sceneries for different parts of the world including the Alps, Tuscany, Hawaii and Alaska. And I can't go past the Ozx team and their wonderful collection of freeware airfields for Australia. WOAI is a definite must-have to enhance those lonely airport environments. All together they offer the best simming experience but this is just my personal opinion and it all comes back to the individual and what they like.

6. StudioV: Of all the addons you've installed, which has made the most positive impact on your flying experience & why?

Mitch: This would probably be FTX. Ground scenery and landclass for the continent of Australia. Before FTX the Australian scenery was bland, boring and used mostly American default textures. It was rather disappointing to see this and it looked nothing like the real Australia. Then a bunch of dedicated Australians but a lot of time and effort into developing the true Australian landscape. FTX has certainly encouraged me to fly more in my home country and explore areas I otherwise would've ignored. Orbx and the other developers of FTX deserve congratulations for finally showing the beautiful countryside of Australia to the rest of the world.

7. StudioV: Recently, you've taken on quite a bit of the StudioV duties (thanks again for all of the help!

), do you feel that this section, and it's contests, help develop screen art talents, and why?

Mitch: Bloody oath. The studio is one of the biggest resources for all new and upcoming screenartists. Multitude of helpful articles and tutorials on everything relating to the world of screenshooting. And questions are encouraged with a guaranteed helpful response from our many talented experts. It has helped be at times and I'm sure it has helped many others. The galleries showcase the best of the best and can provide ideas and hints for improving your shots. Then there are the contests/competitions which bring out the best screenshots from everybody and we all strive to do our best. During the Head 2 Head competition, where it was a free for all, our members took it up a notch and produced their best work. I was genuinely impressed by all the entries each and every week.

8. StudioV: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received to help you in your screenshots?

Mitch: Hmm, probably to turn Anti-alias on. Seriously, I never received any direct advice, just general hints and tips. However, for me just looking at other members post brilliant shots encouraged me to improve. I would then try to imitate their style in my own sim while trying to produce the same level of work. Feedback on my shots is also important because this helps me understand where I need to improve. There was one piece of advice that had an major affect on my screenshots and that was to pick up a decent photo editing program, it can really help. It doesn't have to be a paid for piece, with the free software being just as good. I personally use the free Paint.net and/or GIMP.

9. StudioV: What's one feature you would like to see in the next FS, what ever it may be, that you feel would revolutionize simming to any degree?

Mitch: Gee, that's a tough question because I'm so happy with my FSX at the moment and its only getting better. There is still so much potential in FSX and we are just scratching the surface. I suppose if I could improve anything it would be the ATC. The standard FSX ATC is rather average and this is one of the most important aspects when flying. A whole remake of this system to include realistic procedures for approaches, declaring emergencies, push-back and start-up clearances just to name a few. Also make it sound more natural and not so automated, including more accents. Just a thought....

10. StudioV: What is one of your fondest Simviation moments?

Mitch: There have been a lot of great memories during my SimV life and I'm glad to share with a bunch of great members who make the forums a friendly place to relax and enjoy. Making new friends and meeting nice people, its all just part of the experience. Which leads me to my fondest memory and it would probably be the day I received a PM from Pete asking if I was ready to take the available Moderator position. Having agreed into something I knew nothing about, they said just be yourself. And its a continual learning process and I'm still learning more and more everyday. I couldn't be happier and I have loved every second as a Simviation Forum Moderator.

StudioV: We'd like to thank you, Mitch for sharing your insights, experience and techniques with us and look forward to your continued skillful contributions to the SimV forums.

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