I haven't had much time at the painting table over the last couple of weeks...
But as I was putting up my little photo booth/tent after the recent game in the woods I wondered if it might interest people to see what my little setup looks like...
So here goes...
This is the basic kit that I have...
A Photo Studio Box Lighting Cube Tent...
Mine is made by a company called Zyon... but it is very similar (if not the same as ) this one...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Camera-Studio-Lighting-Backdrop/dp/B008V645ZG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1541367678&sr=8-14&keywords=portable+photo+studio+light+box
Two A4 boxes and an A3 printed back drop...
The Lights are stored in pockets attached the rear of the light box...
The assembly is simple... unfold and connect with Velcro strips...
I place the two boxes into the light box... positioned as above.
This takes just couple of minutes to do...
The light box comes with some basic backdrops...
I use an A3 printout of a background that I found on the internet...
A search for Grey backdrops for photography brings up a number of options... and it is a simple case of saving to file and printing out at A3...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1T4ACPW_en___GB368&biw=1607&bih=689&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=gGrfW8q-IcSlkwWb0rPQBA&q=grey+backdrops+for+photography&oq=grey+photography+backdrops&gs_l=img.1.0.0i8i30k1.33916.35385.0.38777.5.5.0.0.0.0.178.543.3j2.5.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.5.534...0i7i30k1j0i8i7i30k1.0.TgPFw6UAYvs
The lights are placed pointing at the side of the box rather than at the miniatures themselves...
I have also started adding an angle poise lamp to flood light down from above...
Let there be light...
You can see that even with three light sources everything is nicely defused in the centre of the box.
So ... why the boxes?
First of all ... it allows the backdrop to rest nicely in a gentle curve...
And secondly...
I can rest my phone perfectly to take pictures of individual miniatures...
I have an IPhone...others my differ in height... but I cant imagine there will be that much difference...
This is the original image from the shot above...
This is the shot cropped... using the in phone app...
For unit shots I use my proper grown up camera...
Again the shot as taken above...
And now cropped...using Photoshop
I try not to do anything other than simply crop my pictures.
With practice I have discovered where to place my phone for the close up and the same applies for the unit shot.
Both the phone and the camera have a 10 second timer so it has become a case of click and wait...
In most cases one shot is enough.
I think that the most important thing is to get the setup sorted ...
If you know where the camera/phone should be and you know how the lighting should be the rest is composition ... I keep mine simple... the toy soldiers are the important thing.
I hope that this has been of some use... I don't say that this is the only or the right way to take pictures of your toys... its just my way.
All the best Aly
An essential piece of kit for photographing miniatures. Good instructions on how it all pieces together to create great photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jonathan...
DeleteIt was well worth the investment.
All the best Aly
A very illuminating piece on indirect lighting :) Seriously, though, this posting made the topic "click" for me (for whatever reason). It's also worthwhile to note that the brushwork on the figures is splendid--the lens is much harsher than the eye.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bright idea to buy one Ed.
DeleteI think that with practice and carful lighting it is possible to make most things look reasonable under the harsh eye of the lens.
All the best. Aly
Really interesting post, it's something I could do with addressing, I'll add it to the list! This does seem a neat little set up I have to say.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
It’s taken a bit of practice to get things the way I want them...
DeleteBut I wouldn’t be without it now.
All the best. Aly
Wow, truly impressive!
ReplyDeleteCheers Phil.
DeleteIt’s been very useful.
All the best. Aly
Wow great looking kit Aly, can I display my lack of breeding and ask how much the set up cost?
ReplyDeleteNo problem sir...
DeleteYou can get the light box from Amazon from between £40 and £50.probably cheaper on eBay.
All the best. Aly
Oooh...a Christmas prezzie in the making there methinks. Cheers Aly.
DeleteExcellent tutorial Aly. I have constructed a purpose built iPhone holder (from various spare plastic bases that came with boxes of plastic figures) and then tapped it so that it can be screwed to any tripod with a standard screw fitting. It works a treat.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark...
ReplyDeleteI have got an IPhone attachment for my tripod but I have never really got on with it...
Each to their own... I bet yours was a lot cheaper than mine... ;-)
All the best. Aly