Tips for taking pictures of your models
- Thread starter dongilles
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I've never used any, but "White box" or back-drops to help control the focus/brightness can help I hear. White boxes are basically just boxes with all white sides to provide a blank background for the photo, you could make one with as simple as a shoe box and white paper, and a good light to illuminate it. There is probably a guide you can find without much effort I'm sure.
Other than that, any picture I take is just with what ever camera I have available with the best quality. It use to be my mother's camera I'd borrow, but since Cell phones have become amazing those are my best camera. I also have never used a tripod, but I could see that being helpful, as even I have to take a handful of pictures sometimes if they are coming out too blurry for my taste (I seldom have any that are perfect), that's actually probably the first thing I'd try to get personally, although I'm not sure if that's something you'd need to buy or if you could just jury-rig a set up to hold your phone perhaps (Like when I set up models to dry glue in positions I know they may droop or fall off if they aren't held up? Just setting other models or paint pots under them).
But yeah. Mostly controlling the elements in the photo is probably the biggest thing. Making sure you aren't taking a photo in a room with extreme dark/light contrasts (Like a dark-ish room with the sun glaring in directly?) or backgrounds that are not suitable, like couch/fabrics or patterns that distract the focus of the camera, that sort of thing.
Other than that, any picture I take is just with what ever camera I have available with the best quality. It use to be my mother's camera I'd borrow, but since Cell phones have become amazing those are my best camera. I also have never used a tripod, but I could see that being helpful, as even I have to take a handful of pictures sometimes if they are coming out too blurry for my taste (I seldom have any that are perfect), that's actually probably the first thing I'd try to get personally, although I'm not sure if that's something you'd need to buy or if you could just jury-rig a set up to hold your phone perhaps (Like when I set up models to dry glue in positions I know they may droop or fall off if they aren't held up? Just setting other models or paint pots under them).
But yeah. Mostly controlling the elements in the photo is probably the biggest thing. Making sure you aren't taking a photo in a room with extreme dark/light contrasts (Like a dark-ish room with the sun glaring in directly?) or backgrounds that are not suitable, like couch/fabrics or patterns that distract the focus of the camera, that sort of thing.
@dongilles I'd be able to give you some advice if you tell me what you're using to take pictures. I use an effortless iPhone for taking mine but my mate is a photography nut.
Lighting is everything. And I say this as a professional film director. You need A LOT of lighting to get your pictures right. The problem with colours being off is more difficult however. The best advice I can give is that you delve into the theory of white balance. Most cameras (even dslrs) have easy white balance controls nowadays.
jediguru
Ghoul
I'm going to piggyback onto what The Sun King said. Lighting is the single most important thing.
I use 3 of these lamps http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20370383/ for taking pics and 1-2 while painting. They are awesome for $9/piece
I use daylight bulbs also. http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Also, a good gradient background helps. I actually use a gray printed gradient.
Lastly, yes, mess around with the white balance settings on your camera until you get what you're are looking for.
I use 3 of these lamps http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20370383/ for taking pics and 1-2 while painting. They are awesome for $9/piece
I use daylight bulbs also. http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Also, a good gradient background helps. I actually use a gray printed gradient.
Lastly, yes, mess around with the white balance settings on your camera until you get what you're are looking for.