Photography... I suck at it.

[commandercondor]

So, my question (which I posed in the Feb. Oaths, which I know will get lost) is what the heck are people using for light boxes?

But I wish to build on that... What I really want to know is: how are the folks in this forum getting sweet pics of their dudemens? I currently use my iPhone and some random white box parts to get halfway decent photos that actually fit on the forum as attachments. Emailing myself is the only way I know to shrink the size of the pics so they're below the 1MB maximum. My painting will improve through practice and watching/asking others, but my photography is at a standstill until I know what works and what doesn't.

Any tips?

[dukelisle]

Feb 11, 2014 14:59:00 GMT -5 commandercondor said:

So, my question (which I posed in the Feb. Oaths, which I know will get lost) is what the heck are people using for light boxes?

But I wish to build on that... What I really want to know is: how are the folks in this forum getting sweet pics of their dudemens? I currently use my iPhone and some random white box parts to get halfway decent photos that actually fit on the forum as attachments. Emailing myself is the only way I know to shrink the size of the pics so they're below the 1MB maximum. My painting will improve through practice and watching/asking others, but my photography is at a standstill until I know what works and what doesn't.

Any tips?

Howdy!

so if you look at my pics, I am using a home built light box. All it is is a cardboard box with the top and one side cut off. I've then taped pure white printer paper on each interior side, making sure that the printer paper is flush against the cardboard wall and using as little scotch tape as possible. It is a cheap and easy homemade solution, though the paper does scuff and requires replacing over time.

I shine several lights (the same lamp lights I use for painting actually: natural light bulbs) in the top and the side of the light box.


I am using a Nikon D40x camera  and a nikon 18-35 mm lens and a ultraviolet filter (which is there to prevent scratching the lens more than anything); it is a good intro DSLR (Digital Single lens reflex) camera for those who are interested in getting into photography as a hobby. I am mounting the camera on a (used, old) tripod that is flush level with the light box. In terms of settings, I have a custom setting I programmed the DSLR with so as to NOT use flash. DO NOT USE FLASH it makes your minis look crappy.

the ISO is set quite high (800) and the aperture is quite wide, and the shutter speed on a medium setting. This allows for more light to penetrate the 'eye' of the camera but you do need a tripod for this as otherwise the image will blur if you are moving your camera around.

Afterwards I connect my camera to my computer and export the new photographs; since they export in a RAW format which is an incredibly high resolution I end up shrinking my images down using Microsoft Paint of all things since it is quick and easy. Then I upload to imgur and that's that.


I hope that helps. I am still a novice photographer myself; I've just learned through what my photographer friends have taught me and through trial and error. Eventually I'd like a Macroscopic lens as I think that would help with miniature photography a great deal. Let me know if you have any additional questions. Good luck!

[commandercondor]

That was incredibly helpful! Thanks! Camera may be coming later than I'd like, because money, but that helps a ton!

Much appreciated.

[larabic]

Actually i just recently saw something that i may try, using a gallon milk jug with the bottom cut out to put over the model and then by focusing through the hole at the top it will make the model come in crisp and clear, can also tip it on it's side and use a plain white back drop(printer paper) to make a pretty quick and dirty version for everything up to a heavy warbeast / jack.

[Pszito]

This is actually a simple and effective guide:

peaceofgem.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-your-own-light-box.html

The key is actually good lighting, diffused from multiple angles. Most camera phones can work just fine with a simple box like this. For simple uploading and post processing I recommend Picasa, a free autocorrect/crop program by google.

Hope that helps.

[VanDeBeast]

One thing I do, so I don't have to pay attention to the maximum, is I upload my pictures to flickr.com and link to them when posting to threads here. I imagine other picture hosting sites could work just as well.