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When I first got into the hobby I remember googling hundreds of images and wondering how people made their final product look so fantastic. Sometimes It can feel daunting to figure out every nuance so I figured i'd post what i've found and hope to see some of you post your own tips and tricks that have helped you make it to that "next level". Here are some things i've found that have really helped me from the photography side.

Lightbox:
Here is what I am currently using for my lightbox. You can always make your own but this has the added perk of some nice lamps that give off a "warmer light" and some backdrops to play around with.
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Avenue-82-55614-Deluxe-Studio/dp/B0027OUOVW/ref=sr_1_56?ie=UTF8&qid=1472327524&sr=8-56&keywords=photo+lightbox

Backdrops:
These were printed up at my local sign shop for about $45.00. I paid a little more to have these done on styrene for extra durability and chose a larger size (24x32) since I do more with terrain. For smaller mini's, You could probably get these way cheaper in the $10 range for something half the size. The images I used were just some HD gradient desktop backgrounds I found on a google search and kept their quality pretty well even with blowing them up a bit. As an added perk, I found out that most of these sign places have shutterstock accounts and will let you send them the picture reference #, which is awesome since you can get just about anything your heart desires from shutterstock.



Here's how they look when used. I'll probably wind up getting a few more color gradients and play around with it a bit.



Photo stitching & collages:
Ever wonder how to create photo grids? here's a link to do it for free. There are a lot of resources for this but I'v found this one to work the best so far.
http://www.photojoiner.net/

Camera Tethering:
This basically lets you connect your camera to your computer and control the photos from there. I found the program below since I don't have the original disk for my camera and it worked pretty well since I could see what the photo actually looks like and make tweaks as I go.
http://digicamcontrol.com/

Cool stuff, thanks.

Wow, thanks for the light box link. I have been looking for one that would work well but not break the bank for a while

i have that lightbox too. ditched the lights though because they get really hot & come with tiny stands.
Bought these instead:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PhotoSEL-LS11E22-26-40cm-Tabletop-Lighting/dp/B002I9E8TU/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1472582027&sr=8-35&keywords=photosel


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also GW provided this link in their latest WD:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/Downloads/Product/PDF/WD_How_to_Photograph_Miniatures.pdf
haven't read yet though.

 Novasetri wrote:
Photo stitching & collages:
Ever wonder how to create photo grids? here's a link to do it for free. There are a lot of resources for this but I'v found this one to work the best so far.
http://www.photojoiner.net/

I just use Paint

I should really improve my photography, most my photos look pretty gakky, I think the big things stopping me are a lack of a tripod, lighting that doesn't throw off the white balance and a decent camera (choice between an iphone 3 and a cheap point and shoot camera that has limited options when it comes to photographing small things). I've started using GIMP to fix the white balance but if it's a long way off then it can be hard to edit the image to look right again.

Red_Ink_Cat wrote:Wow, thanks for the light box link. I have been looking for one that would work well but not break the bank for a while

Glad this helps! It's also great with the portability / storing since it folds up. I've taken it up to my GW a few times for armies on parade so everyone can get some cool pics of their favorite mini's.

bubber wrote:i have that lightbox too. ditched the lights though because they get really hot & come with tiny stands.
Bought these instead:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PhotoSEL-LS11E22-26-40cm-Tabletop-Lighting/dp/B002I9E8TU/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1472582027&sr=8-35&keywords=photosel

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also GW provided this link in their latest WD:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/Downloads/Product/PDF/WD_How_to_Photograph_Miniatures.pdf
haven't read yet though.

Thanks man, I am going to buy those lights right now! the ones they come with are decent but you are right, they get incredibly hot.

I just use Paint

I should really improve my photography, most my photos look pretty gakky, I think the big things stopping me are a lack of a tripod, lighting that doesn't throw off the white balance and a decent camera (choice between an iphone 3 and a cheap point and shoot camera that has limited options when it comes to photographing small things). I've started using GIMP to fix the white balance but if it's a long way off then it can be hard to edit the image to look right again.

Have you thought about one of those lense kits for your phone? I used one for a little while and it wasnt half bad, plus, it came with a little tripod!

Also - I checked out your gallery and your paint jobs look fantastic!

 Novasetri wrote:

I just use Paint

I should really improve my photography, most my photos look pretty gakky, I think the big things stopping me are a lack of a tripod, lighting that doesn't throw off the white balance and a decent camera (choice between an iphone 3 and a cheap point and shoot camera that has limited options when it comes to photographing small things). I've started using GIMP to fix the white balance but if it's a long way off then it can be hard to edit the image to look right again.

Have you thought about one of those lense kits for your phone? I used one for a little while and it wasnt half bad, plus, it came with a little tripod!

Also - I checked out your gallery and your paint jobs look fantastic!

I could give that a go, but the iphone 3 doesn't have a very good camera. The newer ones can produce some decent pictures but the older ones struggle.

Actually I'm not sure a lens kit would fit on an iphone 3 because it has the curved body to it, the newer ones are flat bodied and the lens seems to rest against the flatness.