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Epic photo studio |
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vanvlak
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Post subject: Epic photo studio  Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:11 pm |
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Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:52 am
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Location: Malta
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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.
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stormseer
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:42 pm |
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Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2003 9:52 pm
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Location: Suffolk, UK.
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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!! 
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.....
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Warmaster Nice
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:11 pm |
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Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 9:15 pm
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Location: Denmark
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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! 
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vanvlak
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:23 pm |
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Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:52 am
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Location: Malta
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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.... 
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!
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TuffSkull
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:52 pm |
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Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2003 11:49 am
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Location: South East UK
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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!
_________________ Cheers, Paul "TuffSkull" T. http://hobbybrush.com - My New Website, with thousands of painted Mini Pics :) http://hobbybrush.blogspot.com - My Hobby Blog TuffSkull's notepad- My Old Blog on Wargames Wiki.
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TuffSkull
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:53 pm |
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Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2003 11:49 am
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stormseer
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:08 pm |
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Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2003 9:52 pm
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Location: Suffolk, UK.
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| 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....
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! ?
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.... ?
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Warmaster Nice
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:44 pm |
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Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 9:15 pm
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Location: Denmark
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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!
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vanvlak
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 8:32 am |
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Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:52 am
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PitFiend
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:15 am |
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Location: Nottingham, UK
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Heh. I'd not seen the completed hula dancer before. Very impressive and creative. 
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.
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vanvlak
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:56 am |
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Jimbo
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:31 am |
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| 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._________________ Jimbo
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Jimbo
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:31 am |
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vanvlak
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Post subject: Epic photo studio Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:07 am |
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Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:52 am
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Location: Malta
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Ah, from the keyboard of the master himself....
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