Do you miniatures justice and capture every detail with these photo hacks that, for the most part, are pretty easy to do with a camera phone and some light!
We all have that one model we’re exceptionally proud of. We slave over that model for hours and get it looking exactly the way we want it to. Once you’ve finished your project, you want to share it! But don’t use your photato phone and ambient light in your bedroom. Do it the right way!
Here are a few pointers and different methods on capturing the details of your models.
Years ago, Warhammer Community gave us this infogram showing hobbyists how to capture their models in the right light and right angles.
You’re going to want:
- A decent camera. (Any modern iPhone/Android should be fine).
- Two sources of light. This is where some people tend to neglect. Don’t try to get the right angle by holding the model right next to the light bulb from the lamp on your desk. Clear a spot off and buy two cheap lamps, set them on either side of the model and flip the switch! (You’ll eliminate so many unnecessary shadows by doing this.)
- Neutral background. You’ll want to pick something that doesn’t take away from the model. Don’t snap a pic of the model with your dirty clothes on the floor in the background. Clear a section off of your desk and set a long sheet of white paper as the backdrop!
- Focus & Crop. Make sure your camera is in focus and don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with your pictures. Really zoom in and capture the tiny details you threw in!
A Different Hobby Photo Setup
Keep the basics that we just told you about in mind. You’ll still want two sources of light and a neutral backdrop:
If you’re really trying to get professional, you can set up a photo box! A good one is the LimoStudio 16″ x 16″ Table Top Photo Photography Studio Lighting Light Tent Kit in a Box, AGG349. The photo box creates a little “bubble” of studio-level lighting. You set up the walls of the box and place the light sources on either side.
Photo from Hellfire Hobbies Photography Article
The light will still shine through and onto your model, but it won’t be as harsh, thanks to the material of the box. Remember, keep a sheet or some kind of cloth that’s a neutral color with you so you’re not taking away from the model!
Once you’ve set everything up, just make sure your camera is in focus and starting snapping all the angles of your masterpiece.
A Pocket-sized Light Source For Snapping on the Go!
So say you’re always on the go and you don’t really have a desk-sized space where you can set up a small studio. That’s fine! You’ll just have to think outside the box. Remember, a light source is KEY. Luckily, This awesome little hobby tool is only going to cost you around $11 on Amazon, and the best part is it clamps over any phone or tablet to help keep the light right where you need it every time.
The SRL lighting tool is perfect to keep in your hobby go-bag or in your back pocket when you’re walking around events. If you want to capture a model, just clip it around the camera of your phone, adjust the brightness setting that you need. and start snapping. While it’s not as ideal as two light sources coming from different angles, it’s definitely a huge help and better than taking a photo in ambient light.
Before the SRL light clip
After the SRL light clip
See just how much shadowing was eliminated by the light? You can actually see the full detail of coloring and wash on the plating and Terminator hood.
So the next time you find yourself wanting to show off a model, go the extra mile and do it justice. Capture the detail that you worked so hard to create. Practice taking your pics and let us know about your experience in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials:@RealmbrushPainting
Bio: Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4.
If you like what he writes and want to reach out or get your models painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
