Photographing models at home

[GWK1985]

I've recently started painting up a new Imperial Guard army and started an accompanying project log here on Warseer, but I am yet to put any pictures of models up because I have no clue as to how I could best photograph them at home.

Does anyone have any tips for taking good photos of models at home without having to spend out on kitting out a studio?

I'd love to put the models up!

Thanks guys!

[winterdyne]

Large anglepoise daylight lamp (you want one of these for painting anyway), a printed backdrop (I like blue gradients generally), a camera with a half-decent macro mode on it (most these days) and most importantly, a tripod.

[Wintermute]

You may find your answer here.

[GWK1985]

Thanks guys!

[Captain Brown]

I just use natural light through the window, a tripod and an old 2 megapixel camera. Figures are pictured on a white sheet on a small table and I use the MACROS function of the camera about 10-12 inches from the camera. Links to my various logs in my sig…I think the photos work out fairly well for not a lot of money. Oh and rechargeable batteries for whatever camera you use is a must, since I use such an old camera it uses two AAA and thus I have a small group of spare rechargeable batteries that are on stand-by as nothing is more annoying than your battery dying after you set up the figures for photos.

Hope that helps,

CB

[Wicksy]

I've found that lighting and distance seem to be the key for good looking pictures. Beware, close ups will really expose your technique to the world. I have done what i thought were perfect blends only to tear my hair out at the poor quality once the pictures are viewed close up. Winterdyne and Captain Brown have pretty much covered everything else. Good luck and get some piccies posted ASAP!

[Vaulkhar]

It's not just close ups either. Anything using a flash will be utterly without mercy.

[Elfaen]

I'll do a video guide tomorrow. had planned it for today but the day has ran away from me.

[Symrivven]

Most as been covered already, I'll just add a few more points:

• Instead of a tripod you can use basically anything that is sturdy and has a flat bottom and top to stabilize your camera, for different heights you can use different objects.
• Personally I'm not in favour of using a flash, it will generally just cause overexposure. Using 1 or two daylight lamps or natural daylight works best imo.
• If possible add something between your light source and your model to make the light a bit more diffuse, anything semitransparent, colourless with a matte finish will do.
• When making pictures just shoot from a lot of different angles, and afterwards choose the most successful ones.
• Massive voodo has lots of great material and some of which on photography.

Good luck

[de Selby]

My method:

Always in bright daylight
No flash, use macro setting and some kind of stabilisation (a pile of books will do)
A pale blank backdrop (eg a piece of paper or wall)

My pics aren't great but they're no worse than my models in the main.

[DigitsDavid]

Or build a painted backdrop, tall walls etc at figures can look good in an atmospheric setting.