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How To Photograph Miniatures; To help you all so that we get more pics
Topic Started: May 13 2005, 05:37 AM (3,383 Views)
snyggejygge
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High Zar of Khorne

This wasn´t written by me (Originally written by Loki_81 Copyright 2004 - 2005 www.czentertainment.com and found on:
Realm_of_Runes
so I take no credit for it, but I found it very good written & have seen some result of this way of taking pics. So I just thought I would post it here to help you out.


I have seen the most beautiful paintjobs ruined by horrible camera work, and after you spend all those hours on a model you can't have this happen. In this article I will give you tips of how to take great pics without being a professional photographer.

First off have a backdrop so the cam doesn't focus on something in the background as even the grain of wood on a table will take the focus. Backdrops are best either blue or white poster paper pinned up to provide a gentle slanting effect toward/away the model (that way there is nothing but the model for the cam to focus on).

Another necessity is a tripod, as even the beat of your heart will cause enough movement to blur the pic. If you're not serious enough to buy one rig one up as it makes the world of difference.

Now you must read the instructions on the best setting for your macro. (I'm not going to be one of them guys who tell you mine, as it's usually different on different cams) This is what will allow you to get up close within 5 inches or so without having to zoom your cam (which will cause blur). Set the macro to the suggested close up settings, and play with them from there until you get the desired effect.

Lighting is a big thing now; I use positional studio lighting of at least 60 watts each. Try to position one light above, and one light facing but off to the side until you have eliminated the directionality of the shadows, as they will take the focus or distract ppl from the main part of the pic (your model). Also try to make sure they are "white" lights as any other colour looks weird (like yellow lighting). Don't go too bright with the wattage, or don't point the light "directly" at the model as I have found that the little bit of reflection can cause blur and loss of detail, direct the lights a little off to the side but still pointed towards the model.

If you've done all of this and still the pic is blurred or unfocused (it happens) put a small object (like a pencil) beside the model at the same angle of positioning (neither infront or behind, but directly beside). Now take the pic and you should fool the cam to focus on the angle of the pencil, which should also focus on the model (play until you get it). Now you can take out the pencil with photo editing software, either by cropping the pic, or blending the background over the pencil.

Now that you have your tools and photo out of the way you'll need some kind of photo editor software (like Photoshop). Play with the brightness and contrast to sharpen up the pic, but don't overdo it as there can be a such thing as "too sharp". Try not to focus or zoom the pic (that should be done at the taking the pic stage, not now) as it will lose detail the more you soom and focus.
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Trogdor
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The Burninator!!!
That's a very good article. I think it should help people a lot. The only thing that I would add is to make sure you know how to adjust the white balance of you camera. It helps to compensate for different effects of lights. Things under incandescent lights look yellow and under flourescent light look blue if it is not adjusted properly. If anyone has other more specific questions than what is in this article, ask away. I'm not a pro, but I've come a long ways since I first started and I'm pretty pleased with the way my pics turn out now.
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brownmccoy
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I>U
this is great... maybe this should be pinned (very important informatino involved here)
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acolite
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I agree that this should be pinned, and so I have pinned it, as it is a very usefull peice of information.
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The Red Risky
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Games Developer
MUST TRY!
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loki
Slave
[ * ]
Well i'm glad to see that everyone likes my article, and a little astonished to see it's made it's way around the net. Thank you snyggejygge for including the header to clear up any differences. As long as you include that header with links intact I have no problem with my article being used on this forum. Please notify me if you see it posted elsewhere or ask if you'd like to post it to any other forums and keep the header intact.

Quote:
 
That's a very good article. I think it should help people a lot. The only thing that I would add is to make sure you know how to adjust the white balance of you camera. It helps to compensate for different effects of lights. Things under incandescent lights look yellow and under flourescent light look blue if it is not adjusted properly.


Thanks, glad to see you like. This article was more of a 1.0 when I wrote it, and the places I posted it to I am a active member/site owner so if anyone had specific questions I could answer. The point I tried to do is not get too specific or in depth and just make it a good read for beginners. But now that i'm aware the article is here now I can also answer questions here as well.

It will go through a 2.0 version, and i'll notify you to update it when it does.
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Kormak
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High Executioner of Khorne
I think you need to update the link to that syngg, seems to go to some dating site.
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snyggejygge
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High Zar of Khorne

Heh, just like our own mainsite once did...
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Tyrus
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Warrior of the Chamber
Thanx for that article it is very informative. Now if I could just get my digital camera working..... :angry:
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Small, Far Away
Champion of Khorne
and with that in mind, I'll get some pictures of my army up ASAP.
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ARBAL
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Slave
[ * ]
How to make a simple photobox?
http://coloureddust.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-make-simple-photobox.html
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Spoiled_Bounty
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The Ruiner
Also, for those looking to take more professional-level photographs, these are available : http://www.hangar18miniatures.com/photo-backdrops/?sort=newest

I've seen them in use, and they're amazing. Great to fit in your home-made lightbox!
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