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Pretty self-explanatory I guess. I'm looking for suggestions for a better quality photography background than the faded black pillowcase I currently use. So what do you all use?

I've semi-settled on this backdrop, but I'd like some advice on whether it's suitable for minis. The main issues I can see is that the blue may adjust the colour values of the mini or distract from the mini. but at the same time, plain solid black seems dull and uninteresting. For context, my subject matter is fairly broad; from Space Marines to Hoplites, Samurai and 1/48 Scale Aircraft. I'd appreciate any links or suggestions from some those of you who have semi-professional set-ups (Apologies in advance to those of you using a sheet of printer paper! ).

One thing to note with the one you've linked too is that it's made for portraits and as such has isn't a universal colour, instead it has a brighter middle and darker corners - a natural vignette effect for a portrait.

You might prefer a more constant colour for models since they will vary in size a lot.

Aye, I was aware but I forgot to say so . I was erring towards the vignette effect as I thought it may be more 'interesting' than a solid black. For the most part, I thought the effect may soften the background as pure black is often quite harsh IMO. But I appreciate the note vis-a-vis the varied size of models and how it may not translate as well +1 against that idea then.

I use a gradient paper (black to white), you can get at photo specific stores.

Are you using a camera or a phone? Because if you want a vignette you can just add one on Instagram if you're using a phone

Re: the blue possibly messing up the colour values - one thing you can do is to put something either white or - even better - neutral grey somewhere in the photo where you can crop it out afterwards, and use it for colour correction - there's a specific function for this in Photoshop and similar software, where you simply click on the 'neutral' thing to correct the colour values of the entire image. (You can also buy special colour cards for this, but these are horribly overpriced usually :| )

This article on Warhammer Community has a few tips on photographing minis, including what to use as a background.

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

Big Mac wrote:I use a gradient paper (black to white), you can get at photo specific stores.

That might be a better option, if I can find one nearby (and hasn't been blessed by Nurgle ).

queen_annes_revenge wrote:Are you using a camera or a phone? Because if you want a vignette you can just add one on Instagram if you're using a phone

I use a DSLR. I wasn't strictly going for a vignette effect, I just had the idea that I often see the better painters on here using something other than pure black/white backgrounds, and thought that linked background might be soething to consider. But I'm going off the idea as more comments come in.

MobileSuitRandom wrote:Re: the blue possibly messing up the colour values - one thing you can do is to put something either white or - even better - neutral grey somewhere in the photo where you can crop it out afterwards, and use it for colour correction - there's a specific function for this in Photoshop and similar software, where you simply click on the 'neutral' thing to correct the colour values of the entire image. (You can also buy special colour cards for this, but these are horribly overpriced usually :| )

That's something to bear in mind that I hadn't heard of, so thanks for the heads-up

Ghaz wrote:This article on Warhammer Community has a few tips on photographing minis, including what to use as a background.

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

Thanks Ghaz. I've come across that before, and I'm trying to avoid plain white printer paper, but it's always worth revisitng the basics. Cheers!

here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Shop-by-Brand-Flotone/ci/4/phd/4291100658/N/4294255798
maybe get a backdrop stand setup, tripod for your camera, lighting with tripod, photo tape, plastic coverall if you want to leave it setup for a while.