Photographing minis?

[Generalstoner]

I’ve recently finished some mechs I’d like to post.  Can anyone post a link or explain to me how to take better photographs of miniatures?

I’ve read about building a light box and may give it a go.  Suggestions?  Thanks!

[Luciora]

Natural indirect light on a neutral surface is a good start.  You don't want a cluttered background to detract from the focus.  A sheet and something to drape it on is a good basic setup.

[NeonKnight]

Camospecs still has articles:

http://camospecs.com/Article/Details/7/how-to-mini-photography-part-1-backdrop

http://camospecs.com/Article/Details/8/how-to-mini-photography-part-2-lighting-setup

http://camospecs.com/Article/Details/9/how-to-mini-photography-part-3-camera-setup

While the images are gone, the basics are still there (the images were mostly Here is a Pic with THIS SETTING versus THAT SETTING)

From Dakka: https://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Debunking_the_Myths_of_Miniature_Photography

and some Vids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFN77P-SN60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ2T8Ll3XjU

[Ghaz]

Games Workshop does have a good article on miniature photography on their Community website:

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/03/06/the-model-photo-how-to-photograph-models-for-display/

[Generalstoner]

Thanks for the resources guys!

[worktroll]

Biggest tip - use digital zoom, take your photos from at least a meter (yard) away, and then crop the 'empty space' off the image.

This deepens the focal plane, so that all of the area around your mini is in focus. Also essential for taking a pic of multiple minis.

One other thing I swear by - I have a lamp that's a rectangular strip about 1"x15" of LEDs. Gives a great diffused light. It's equally essential for my painting - it can sit almost between my eyes and my hands, giving great lighting - and for pictures.

W.

[Cache]

Biggest tip - use digital zoom

Optical zoom. Digital zoom is worthless. With digital you're just as well off taking the picture at full resolution without zoom and then enlarging it on your computer.

[Insaniac99]

I'd like to offer up two videos to those who want to take better photographs:

This first one, I'll summarize the advice as use a curved piece of paper as a backdrop, shoot next to natural light, and learn your camera's settings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZtE6HWXg0E

The second one is for more professional photos and is a lot about what to buy to enhance your photography.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ7g9DatLpI

[Bedwyr]

Optical zoom. Digital zoom is worthless. With digital you're just as well off taking the picture at full resolution without zoom and then enlarging it on your computer.

Correct. What they call 'digital zoom' is basically a fancy kind of pre-cropping.