Model SUV in the Snow with Jarrod Erbe

We saw a photo by Jarrod Erbe over on the Platypod Users Facebook Group and we just had to share it with you! 

I had a winter concept in mind for this 1:40 scale diecast H2 SUV model and wanted to photograph it as if it were battling through a full-scale snowstorm.

The setup was simple. I placed the model on a frozen baking sheet and built up a bed of fresh snow around it to simulate a snow-covered road. An iPad displaying a snowy landscape sat at the back of the set, helping me visualize the scene and dial in the camera angle.

Shooting from a very low perspective helped sell the illusion of scale, making the small diecast vehicle feel much more like a real SUV pushing through deep snow. This is where the Platypod system really proved useful. Using a Platypod eXtreme paired with the Platyball Traveler allowed me to position the camera extremely low while fine-tuning the angle. A Platypod Ultra with a couple of Elbows helped me position the lighting exactly where it was needed.

The image was captured with a Canon R6 and an EF 24–105mm f/4 lens. During post-processing, I refined some vehicle details in Lightroom and Photoshop to enhance realism and added a subtle motion effect. The blizzard itself came to life using ON1 Effects 2026, with the final color grade completed in Boris FX Optics.

Thanks Jarrod for the words to go with the photos! You can check out more of Jarrod's work right here.