How to photo your minis

I don't have a good camera. No digital SLR with a close focus lens. I used to use my scanner, but right now it isn't hooked up. Any suggestions?

I followed the tips to build a small 'studio'. Basically using a cardboard box with one side and the top cut off and positioning a cheap goose neck lamp over it. I really need two but I'm a notorious cheapskate.

I used to just use a black t-shirt for the background but it really didn't work well.




The details are fuzzy.


I built my photograph box out of one of the Playdoh toy boxes my children got, the Barber Shop if you must know. For the back drops I just use construction paper. I'm not a pro-painter I just want to be able to show my work off a little. Overall the 'studio' cost $10.00 for the lamp which I had bought for my painting table anyway.

I **really** need to buy a new camera because mine is circa like 1998 and uses floppy disks for goodness sakes but building a cheap studio can really help.

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Where are the Nova Fuzz when you need them?

The message wouldn't let me post more than one picture... odd... But the difference between the t-shirt back drop on my desk and the Playdoh box studio...



Given, I've switched around to using green or blue construction paper for more contrast now but just a little cardboard, construction paper, and tape can make a massive difference more than a camera.

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Where are the Nova Fuzz when you need them?

This guy really seems to have a lot of info on the subject.

http://www.weetoysoldiers.com/wp/

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The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all it's contents

WOW, that is an excellent site for photo tips. I'll have to see if my little digital ahs those features and take stab at some of those techniquesQ

Good lighting, no flash and a macro setting can go a long way towards decent pictures.

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The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all it's contents

No luck

My camera truly suck for this sort of thing. It's only 2.1 mp with a focal length of 19.7 inches. I can't change the exposure time. I just need to get a decent camera. Now, that said, the pics I just posted of Shadowrun figs are actually scans.

I found the key was the background; photo in a well-lighted area but make a background out of light blue cardboard paper and something to prop it up forming a gentle L-shape.  Set your camera up on a tripod or other solid surface far back enough that it will focus.  Take multiple shots with the flash off and on (I like to take my pics before clear coating the model to avoid sparkle from the flash) and take the best for posting.  Not as good as the guy at weetoysoldiers.com but much cheaper.

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That which does not kill you usually hurts a lot.

Well, I made a light box with a white background, used two small desk lamps to light the fig from either side, put the camera on a tripod and turned off the flash. I set the camera back 20 inches, so it should have focused. But there was just no detail on the figs. I suppose I could switch out the white background, it might have been reflecting too much light, but I really think it's the camera. Its a Kodak EasyShare. Not meant for this type of thing at all.

Groovydave wrote: Well, I made a light box with a white background, used two small desk lamps to light the fig from either side, put the camera on a tripod and turned off the flash. I set the camera back 20 inches, so it should have focused. But there was just no detail on the figs. I suppose I could switch out the white background, it might have been reflecting too much light, but I really think it's the camera. Its a Kodak EasyShare. Not meant for this type of thing at all.

I've got a couple of EasyShares.  Which model is it?  One option is to photograph it from a few feet away then open the picture with photo-enhancing software (or Paint of all things) then blow up the area with the fig and crop out the rest.  That's usually what I do and if you go to my gallery you can see the results are acceptable for getting your point across.

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That which does not kill you usually hurts a lot.

Its a CX6200. I might try ditching the white background and pulling back a little further, although the listed focal depth is 19.7 inches. I measured outside that distance but it was still blurry. Your pics look good.