Elsewhere here on the Den, we have an interesting question:
RBJ wrote:
Why is it that when such a minute detail is shown on a Vader helmet matching screen caps 100% , it is obviously sculpted.
.BUT..when such a minute detail shows up on a Stormtropper helmet it is only possible by recasting "the only screen accurate molds" and not possible by sculpting..
It's interesting that despite my having posted on the RPF about this thread, people aren't coming over to examine the hi-res photos here but are instead speaking with authority that the scar is a paint job.
One argument states that because the lighting is coming from the left (see below) and the scar is visible, it therefore must be paint.
However, I set up a Darth Ugly facemask and used a studio lamp. I managed to approximate the shadow angle, size and degree of blur. The light source of the left photo is not from the left side, but is more in-line with the camera - possibly a little off to the left, but not the far left by a long shot. Thus, I say the argument is incorrect.
This inspired me to photograph my TM using diffused lighting - but not from above - to see what the scar would look like. My initial photo looked like this. Bear with me, the mask is a bit dusty.
The mask is on a table, and by the window. I have an off-white curtain closed, so the lighting is diffused. Notice the scar is less visible from this specific light source's angle. The sense of depth is reduced. People can see the white streaks and say "That's just paint. There is no depth."
Earlier on over at the RPF, I pointed out that this scar is, on a very small scale, like a mountain ridge, so can be studied like topographical phenomenon, which has been known to appear differently depending on time of day, with changing angles of light and depths of shadows cast by the terrain.
Here are four examples. I photographed them with a tripod and lined them up in Photoshop, so they are to-the-pixel accurate so anyone can do their own Photoshop analysis and make up their own mind.
I've even washed the cheek of my mask for you guys!
In the above shot, note the primary lighting is lower left, but the lighting in my room is diffused because of the curtain. It's still pretty bright. Notice that the white line of the scar is almost GONE because the scar is a ledge that catches overhead light the best.
Here, above, I put a kitchen mat close to the mask to block as much light, so you can see more even illumination from the room. The scar is almost INVISBLE save for a dark crescented area. NOTE: the dark crescent is not a shadow. It's a structure. It's not casting a shadow but, rather, it sits to the left of the scarred area!
Now I'll add a desk lamp and light it to approximate the Tantive scene. Notice the crescent and the scar are appearing. You see both dark and lighter regions. The lighter region is only lighter because it's surface is catching the overhead light.
NOW....
Let me reduce the lighting on the left so that you're seeing PRIMARILY above-head lighting:
TA-DAA!! Look familar?
Not to sound cocky, but when GINO plays the "Jealousy" card, that's just a distracting tactic. This level of detail is something TM owners enjoy, so there's nothing to be jealous of towards the eFX.
It's a level of detail GINO simply does not have, does not know about, and will now quickly denounce as a forgery because, well, of "Jealousy".