Figure Pictures: What camera/technique?

[noriaki_kakyou]

How do you take good pictures of the figs? Do you use a special lens, or a digital camera?

I see some people have fuzzy pics, and some have very distant pictures... but there are a few who have great pictures. What's the secret?

CGNH

[algrim]

Heyyy.... I recognize you...

Have you checked out my mods? Here's the link;

http://web.lconn.com/algrim/hcmods.htm

I have a digital camera that I use for the pics. I used to use a friend's camera (See the Psi-Star, Nocturne, and Omega Red pics), but I got my own for Christmas. My camera defaults to a darker image... however, distance and lighting are key.

Try to get whatever lighting you are using to be behind you, facing the figures. I prefer natural lighting - in fact, the brighter of my X-Factor team pics were taken with direct sunlight on them. I know if you're good with Photoshop or any type of image-enhancing you can usually get around a pic being too dark or too light.

As far as focusing goes, most digital cameras will auto-focus for you. I reccomend roughly 6-10 inches away from the figure. You also want to make certain that you have an appropriate backdrop so that the camera doesn't try to focus on something in the background, or have too much give on the focus so that the whole thing comes out blurry. Again, on my X-Factor team pics you'll notice that on some of them the guys in the background have less focus because of Havok and co. in the foreground.

That's really it. You'll have to experiment with locations around your house for lighting and depending on the camera you may have to experiment with focusing as well. I know my pics aren't the best out there (as I really try to shoot and run) but you are able to tell certain details about the mods, which is what it is all about. that's it.

BTW - Didja win your game?

[noriaki_kakyou]

OH! Nice figures indeed! And that's some great photo taking too. Your paint jobs are top-notch as well. Good on ya, mate.

Well, we're starting the second battle. We both agreed off-line that the team I made was not good to try out Stealth... so the second game will be starting this week. Same thread in the Judges area, different website as base.

I will try that. My aunt has a digital camera... so i'll see if I can fanagle it from her for an evening.

CGNH

[lusiphur]

I used to have a great Digi cam that would let me focus real close, but alas it is gone. The one I have now isnt so great with close ups so I began to use me scanner to take pix of me Mods. It works pretty bood, but I cant do group poses or anyhing other then one Clix at a time

[PlanetTJ]

Digital cameras are the way forward... I got mine today & it works great.. plus alot easier if you are putting the pics straight on your computer... & less embarising than going to your local photo shop & letting them develop the pictures wondering why the hell you are taking photos of tiny little men!!!!