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So I'm putting this here as modelling/painting would seem the most appropriate area where people would want to chat photography - at least when related to models!

So I kind of see this thread running in a few ways; asking questions about how to get certain kinds of photography effect; asking how to achieve things; showing off what you've done photography wise with your models; getting tips on gear; encouraging people to write photography methods/guides etc....

I'd be willing to write out how to do some stuff if people ask and if there's interest in such articles being written up and I'm sure others would be too!

A few things I've achived

I think the best thing that happened to my photography was a lightbox. Building one myself had been on my to-do list for years, but never happened. The Wife got me one for my birthday a couple years ago. They are not that expensive, you can get a decent one, with lights, for about $50. Folds up nice for transport/storage.



An example of the difference. Both in phone, and camera.

Yeah a light box/tent like that is a very cheap way to get good light control for product style photos of miniatures! A lot of photography is more the light than the camera used (Esp for internet display).

You can really tell when someone has a blurry, grainy photo of a model and its taken indoors in dim lighting (esp if done at night when there's not even the help from the sun through windows).


Another thing I see often is a blurrry photo because the model is held too close; cameras have minimum focusing distances and if you hold the model too close you won't get more detail; what you get is a blurry photo. IF you're using AF and its dark and you've got the model right up to the camera chances are the AF might not even pick it up properly.

I've found better results with a neutral background and two lights, one on either side, using day light bulbs, and the camera in the middle.

I put my lightbulbs in those clamping work lights, and made a couple places for them to attach to my desk

Are you just using the lights bare or through a material?