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Epic photo studio
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2805		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  vanvlak [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Hi all,
although I've got a perfectly usable digital camera, I'm still a crock at taking macro photos of models. One of the main reasons is lighting, as I usually only have time late in the day and have to use a flash or poor lighting. Another is backdrop - most of my pics are taken on a mousemat or a hardback cover, with shelves or computer stuff in the background. I'm toying with a post-to6g project for making an epic photo studio, something like a spraying booth with lights, for taking photos in - perhaps with some sort of terrain ground, and a backdrop for scenery. This won't be intended for army shots, just single or very few models from single troops to large Titans. Any suggestions? Also - would a flat screen LCD display (no, I won't buy one for the job, I'll use my computer screen) be good as a backdrop? An example of a photo taken with it is the infamous hula dancer, attached.
Author:  stormseer [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Hi Vanvlak- the photo you attach is actually rather good- nice and sharp andwell lit (although are the colours washed out/changed with the flash?).
I would not bother building a specific photo 'studio' myself- the attched pic shows how I take mine- two bits of black pictureframing card propped up on the rabbit hutch in the garden!!  :p
On a nice day the results are perfect- the natural light shows off the colours (doesn't tint them like a normal lightbulb which adds a yellowy tinge to pics I find) - although I prefer slightly cloudy days as it diffuses the light, meaning you don't get sharp shadows or light colours too bright.
Indoors you can use a similar setup- a 'daylight' bulb will prevent the colours being messed up, or you can play with the 'white balance' settings on your camera which may help.
You could try using some filter paper or something as a diffuser for the bulb as well- experiment, and have fun!  :;):

PS. I would recommend the tips on Jimbo's site for photographing minis- cropping from the image and that sort of thing makes for a better pic than trying to do it all in one.....
Author:  Warmaster Nice [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
You can easily build a simple indoor photo studio from 3 pieces of semi-transparent acrylic plate. You should be able to get the stuff from any hardware store for next to nothing. The advantage of the acrylic plate is that it diffuses the light giving you nice soft highlights and shadows while also providing a nice white background.

For professional stuff you should get stuff which is optical white but for general use it isn't really necessary since this can easily be corrected either in the camera or in a photo editing program.

I've written an article for incoming about the basics of miniature photography. Hopefully it should be released soon. :;):

Cheers! :)
Author:  vanvlak [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Ah, good advice already. thanks Stromy and Warmaster. Umm, maybe taking pics over the weekend is better - you do get some sun here, anyway.
Re Hula Joe - I'm afraid the colours are an excellent representation, which means the model looks washed out! well, that was my intentiuon, anyway, , er.... :( :p :;):
The acrylic plates sound good too - and as Warmaster surmised, I'm not after pro work, just good, clear pics.
Cropping is one thing I always mean to do but never have time for - *sighs* - as usual, time is the great messer-up of stuff. EDIT - yes, it takes less than a minute to crop a picture, but I still manage not to find time for it!  :(
Author:  TuffSkull [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Lighting is definitely a key issue.

If you can do it outside, then all is good, but for indoors work I highly reccomend daylight bulbs, and if you can afford one an actual Daylight Co. lamp or similar from Ott-lite.

The one warning with standard daylight bulbs used ina normal lamp is that they do get VERY hot. dont leave miniatures under them for long, especially plastics in close proximity to the bulb - bad things happen!

A professional Daylight lamp will set you back around ?100, but the light is superb, they're very low-heat & the large area of light distribution means you get almost 0 shadow on your image fromjust one lamp (thank god at that price...). Its a whole lotta cash for a lamp, but I'll never paint or photograph without one now I've got one!

As to backdrops, I simply use printed paper. Make up a simple blue fade page as large as you can (print at A4 & photocopy larger). If you put a few layers of paper behind the fade sheet, you get a better result.

However, now that I'm also playing with Photoshop, I'm begining to decide I prefer a plain white background rather than the fade. The sharpness of the shot is just as good, if not better, so its down to personal taste on backdrop preference. It does have the advantage of meaning you can use a few sheets of paper & get a fine result without any printing needed!
Author:  TuffSkull [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Talking of Photography - Where's Jimbo been lately?
Author:  stormseer [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Quote (vanvlak @ 10 2005 Mar.,15:23)
Re Hula Joe - I'm afraid the colours are an excellent representation, which means the model looks washed out! well, that was my intentiuon, anyway, , er.... :( :p :;):
The acrylic plates sound good too - and as Warmaster surmised, I'm not after pro work, just good, clear pics.

No, I was asking if it had washed out the colours- I actually rather like the stone statue look of the figure, though I'm still not keen on the jungle tree part! ?:p
I shall also be investigating getting some acrylic bits, cheers WM.. (I'm sure the D&T department will oblige)!


I was wondering where Jimbo was earlier today actually Tuff; it has been a few weeks since he was on the boards.... ?:l
Author:  Warmaster Nice [ Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Good question about Jimbo. I mailed him a while ago about some pics from Games Day but connection was lost... ???

Anyway: At school we've had some professional photographers as guest lecturers for the past couple of months. Got loads of great tips which will definitely be put to use in the future.
For miniature photography I'd definitely recommend a white background as white will help reflect light back onto the miniature. Also: for large army shots it is a good idea to use a few sheets of polystyrene as reflectors to ensure plenty of light. Polystyrene is great as it is cheap but still stiff and light enough to be positioned any way necessary.

Cheers! :)
Author:  vanvlak [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Hi all,
thanks for the additional tips and ideas - and I guess the jungle tree is an acquired taste, Stormseer.... more of these being used elsewhere in the future too - think BFGothic...... :p ??? :blues:

Polystyrene eh? Sounds good, and cheap, which is better still!

As to Jimbo - hope he's ok. It's been over a week now, hasn't it?
Author:  PitFiend [ Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:15 am ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Heh. I'd not seen the completed hula dancer before. Very impressive and creative. :D

I need to do some more playing with photographic setups. I've got a daylight bulb, but it's in use as the main bulb in my room at the mo. Gonna take the To6G stuff to Warhammer World for photos before too long as well.

Roll on Summer so I can get outside a bit more.
Author:  vanvlak [ Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:56 am ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Quote (PitFiend @ 15 2005 Mar.,00:15)
Heh. I'd not seen the completed hula dancer before. Very impressive and creative. :D

I need to do some more playing with photographic setups. I've got a daylight bulb, but it's in use as the main bulb in my room at the mo. Gonna take the To6G stuff to Warhammer World for photos before too long as well.

Roll on Summer so I can get outside a bit more.

Thanks!
Whew, a To6G army and fleet at warhammer world  :D  :cool:
Roll on summer? Amen to that, although in a months time I'll probably be complaining about the heat wave hereabouts.
:-:  :D
Author:  Jimbo [ Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Quote (TuffSkull @ 10 2005 Mar.,15:53)
Talking of Photography - Where's Jimbo been lately?

I'm back...

Been rather busy but have had time to paint, so decided to paint rather than post.
Author:  Jimbo [ Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
and talking of photography techniques check out the guide

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/phomin.html
Author:  vanvlak [ Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Epic photo studio
Quote (Jimbo @ 30 2005 Mar.,12:31)
and talking of photography techniques check out the guide

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/phomin.html

Ah, from the keyboard of the master himself.... :D
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