You've come to the right place.
Unless you use a low-end device. We're gonna crank the settings to the highest for this one, to make somewhat good looking shots.
Part 1: FOV
Set your FOV to the lowest. It gives more depth to the aircraft, rather than the surrounding background. Also, zoom in more to the aircraft of course.
High FOV, zoomed out
Low FOV, zoomed in
See the difference in depth and quality? Yeah.
A-10 by BrunoBG
Modifications are by me
Zooming onto the aircraft gives a lot more depth and quality to it than the surrounding background. Even if you have a sick background to use, if you don't focus much on the aircraft you're taking away the main focus, the aircraft. There's a fine line between both aspects, and tinker with it to see what looks best.
Part 2: Ambience and Environment
Play with these two settings and see what's best.
I personally use sunset/sunrise for screenshots, and weather set to clear.
X-02S Strike Wyvern by GuyFolk
I also include the sun so the screenshot doesn't look too bland. Remember to turn off "Image Effects" so the sun doesn't blind you, lol.
Sometimes though, I like to mix it up a bit and set weather to few clouds.
X-02SN Strike Wyvern "Mister Blue" by GuyFolk
Clouds give a bit of ambience to the shot. Also, it's really cool.
Play around with these settings to get results that fit your taste.
Part 3: Cockpit
Hold on, you wanna make an interior shot?
Crank the FOV back to the highest. The focus is the cockpit, so show ALL of it.
Maybe look at the sun too? Satisfying.
No word here. Cockpit shots are simple, but can be amazing.
Chengdu J-20 by JPDD
Also goes for a runway shot, put some focus on the runway. Personally, I like to set the time to around 6, as it gives the setting of an early morning sortie with the (nonexistent) boys.
FAD-90S Galleon by DwiAngkasaAeronautics
You could go the extra mile and add an aircraft taking off before you do, to really give that morning sortie vibe. I didn't do it here though, so here's totally relevant cockpit shots.
AIDC F-CK-1 V by CptLiar
You could also, do it while in flight with each other.
Su-57 "Felon" by GuyFolk
Su-57 Felon (in background) by Kiv
Fly-by shots are really amazing if the AI cooperates with you.
Part 4: Background
Like I said, it's always okay to mix the focus between the aircraft and the background.
So I'll help you with that.
First of all, if you're making a takeoff/landing shot, some focus should be on the runway itself. And show the aircraft opening/closing its landing gear before touchdown.
This for example, shows the wind sock (or whatever you call that thing) and some land in the background. And also the craft closing its landing gear after takeoff. Some feature showcase.
X-02S Strike Wyvern by GuyFolk
For a shot like a flyby near a mountain, show said mountain a bit. Bank to the face of the mountain, or the camera.
You get the point, don't attract too much view to the background, don't attract the view to strictly the aircraft only. Unless you're showcasing features, but I digress. See what fits best for you.
Part 5: Showcasing Features
I don't have a lot to say here, but for weapons, just use them.
For miscellaneous features like targeting pods, use it too.
SINTREX Targeting Pod by DwiAngkasaAeronautics
Shot is also by the same person. Really amazing!
Focus the view on the weapon(s) being used, and only that.
Maybe also show the bottom (or a peek of the bottom) of the aircraft, cause the weapons are gonna be always there. Open a bay or two if necessary.
X-02S Strike Wyvern by GuyFolk
This is INCREDIBLY outdated. I will make an updated tutorial soon, I just don't know how I'll start it since my style is completely different from what this tutorial said.
Tutorial for GIFs and videos soon™
Imma share a few Dev console commands because there are none on the post
>>CameraManagerScript..SetCameraFov xx
changes FOV//MainCamera>Camera.set_depth 10
to hide the GUI//MainCamera>Transform.set_localPosition X,Y,Z
moves the camera@TRD6932 🅿️🅰️ℹ️N
@PyrrhaNikos Hold on, you made your F-104 ON MOBILE? Holy shit dude you have my utmost respect
@ReinMcDeer I don't have a pc
@Noname918181 what if the mobile dude has a mouse attached to phone tho?
@ReinMcDeer
Oh yeah I forgot about that, doesn't work oj mobile tho seeing as there is no right click
@Noname918181 @PyrrhaNikos You can also get free camera if you pause in third person and hold down right click and move your mouse.
Edit: woops
@PyrrhaNikos Budget Freecam, more tedious. Lol
This is the first time I heard about
//MainCamera>Transform.set_localPosition X,Y,Z
.
Thank you
@TRD6932 yeah that's quite an issue, usually I'd solve it by adding a higher FOV then zooming the camera farther, bit this does not apply for cockpit pics
This is also mitigated by being close to the ground for some reason, afaik it gets affected by altitude
@Noname918181 For the hiding the GUI part, it's really annoying to make a close shot with it. The camera would simply sink itself into the aircraft and make the aircraft look hollow.
10 updoots and I'll make a part 2, this time for GIFs :)