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
