Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/eldintux/public_html/VB4/includes/vb5/template.php(404) : eval()'d code on line 5 Using macro mode to photograph miniatures - Wamp

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  • Using macro mode to photograph miniatures

    Hello everyone I am copying this over my blog. Hope it helps anyone who is brave enough to read through the whole thing.

    Just a quick note; I have noted that many people are using a white or black background. I am not sure if this is the most appropriate thing to do especially when you are using a compact camera or if you are not using a suitable light apparatus.
    The reason for this is that the camera cpu (and what older film cameras used to do) is to try and look out for a neutral grey.. i.e., the camera sees everything as a neutral grey.. so if you put a black background, then the camera will try to adjust this by allowing more light to come in so the black to look grey (in theory) that leads for lighter coloured subjects, in this case our mini, to look washed out. the opposite happens when you use a white background.
    So if you are keen on using a white or black background it is better to use a spot meter on the camera and adjust exposure manually..

    If you have any questions on photographing just pm me. I have a bit of a knowledge in photography and I hope I can be useful..

    here is my original post. Note it has to do with using macro mode not normal photo modes.



    When photographing miniatures, the obvious way to do this is to shoot by using the macro mode on your camera. This is denoted by a flower icon on the camera body (good thing to do is to check your camera manual). The icon looks like this:
    In some cameras when you use the macro mode, the flash unit and/ or the zoom options are disabled. In general it is better to avoid the built-in flash of the camera as it generates really hard shadows and adds a lot of unwanted shinning on the mini.
    In order to avoid this, the best and cheapest light source is pure daylight. Try to set up your shooting next to the window with indirect sunlight coming in (i.e., the sun is not directly visible). An example of this shot are the two shots of my Ork Warboss in the previous post :)
    Best way to shoot this is to use diffused light.. the way to achieve this is to get a lamp and shoot it on the ceiling. by aiming the light away from your mini reduces hard shadows. If you want to be extra sure about this, you can place a rice paper or a tracing paper in front of the bulb (make sure not to touch the bulb, else the paper might burn!) This will diffuse the light evenly.
    Second thing to do is to always use a tripod!! If this is not possible try to find a sturdy place to rest your camera on and take the picture. Even the slightest motion from our hands is registered on macro shots are out of focus pictures. Keep in mind that even unconsciously, we tend to move our hands a bit back and forth so that leads to out of focus pictures!
    The best way to avoid any camera shake is to press the shutter by using a remote shutter release. This is a cable that connects the camera and has a button on one end, allowing you to get the picture without touching the camera.
    But the best cheapest alternative to this is to use your camera's self timer function. You know the one you use when you want to be part of the picture.. :) the symbol of this on the camera is a clock or something along those lines.
    Keep in mind that when you use the macro mode, you are actually focusing in a really really close distance. The main drawback of this is that if a mini is large and you place it under an angle, like in the second picture on the right of my ork, the parts that are closer to the lens or farther from it, they might seem out of focus. This is due to the way that camera lenses operate. In order to avoid this, in case you want to photo a huge mini (like a dragon) the it is the best to keep this in parallel.

    Last part of my tutorial is to use a suitable background to photograph the mini. Avoid bright white or black backgrounds, as in most cases, they will mess up with the camera's White Balance meter and may make your mini to look darker or lighter than in reality; something that can alter the colours of your mini.

    I have prepared a set of backgrounds for you to use. Just print them in A4 size, and bend the paper so that the mini stands on the paper, and the rest of it come up from behind the mini as you see in my pictures. If your mini is on a large stand then you can just put it on the background, as in the case of shooting busts or minis on tall blocks.
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