What is everyone using to photograph their models? I recently purchased this cheap blacked out photo box from etsy and am using my canon camera, which is the g7x. I think the photo’s are coming out pretty well, but not amazing compared to some of the photo’s I see.
Photography is not my thing, modeling is so just curious what other people are getting good results with - that goes for specific cameras, the setting used and where you take the photos. I’d like long term to save up for a camera that’s more capable of close ups and low light scenarios. The canon I have is great, but I bought it for traveling and it’s best used as just a general camera, I don’t think model shoots are where it shines brightest.
I’m trying to see how much of it is my lack of photography knowledge compared to my equipment.
I just use my desk, sometimes with a black foamcore board as a backdrop to screen out the clutter. I had a digital camera but switched to using my phone as it does not require pulling out the camera, checking the batteries, etc.
Without foamcore backing:
With foamcore backing:
I will sometimes drape a piece of paper over my desk:
And sometimes I’ll have a little fun.
This was taken using a stepladder in front of a darkened room (to elevate the figure so that my bed would not be in the background). A transparent red sandwich meat container lid and a flashlight provided the mood lighting.
I use my iPhone 13 and the pictures are usually horrible at best. Sometimes that’s for the better , it is frustrating at times though but I’m not willing to spend any money on photography when I can be putting money into the hobby itself.
My youngest bought me a light box a few years back. That alone kicked up the appearance of my photos bigtime. I use the camera on my iPhone to take all my photos and am quite content with the results. A friend of mine who is a professional photographer coaches me on things like angles and other technical aspects to make my photos look better.
Agree that a basic lightbox is the single biggest gear-side improvement you can make for this kind of photography. Skill-wise, a basic understanding of composition and white-balance/color will go a very, very long way – and can keep all your images consistent over time, if that matters.
I personally have a bunch of “pro-sumer” grade camera gear from my “real” life that I use for taking model photos – I’m not sure how useful more info on that is, but I’d be happy to share what I use if anyone is interested.
I’ve just learned something - I didn’t know about light boxes. For pics I simply sit the model on my bench and use my iphone. I figure if my photos aren’t good, the flaws in my builds won’t be as apparent!
Those grid pattern cutting mats that some folks use are terrible backgrounds for taking photos of a model. Many times the autofocus on a camera focuses on those or other bench top background clutter, and not on the subject model. A simple piece of white poster board, plain white sheet or pillowcase, or something similar makes a big improvement on photos. For the longest time that was what I used until I was gifted the photo light box.
I set up a large table and put my photo studio into place. This consists of 7 light sources, 4 of which are those big umbrella contraptions, as well as 3 smaller units. I drape a white table covering (not a table cloth per se, but along those lines).
I typically use my Canon EOS Rebel T7 with an external flash (so actually 8 light sources in this case), mounted on a tripod to give me stability. I’m using the 18-55" lens, although I have a 70-300mm lens that I will sometimes mount on the camera for closer shots. I typically use the auto focus feature, but when I take the Canon off the tripod to get closer in, I will switch to manual focus.
When I’ve needed to shoot photos of starship models against a black table covering, with lights in the model, I’ve found that my Canon doesn’t get great shots. So I’ll switch to using my iPhone 17 Pro Max. I’m not sure what the problem with the Canon has been with these type of shots, possibly it doesn’t handle the lightning from the models, but I’ve taken some pretty good pictures with my iPhone.
I am for sure not the right person to reply - definitely not a pro - but quite happy with my results.
I use my iPhone 5 and simply place a background on the floor. I have never been able to get black to work; for me, light blue and beige-brown works very well. And yes, good lighting makes a huge difference!
You guys are swimming in the Olympic pool and I’m over here in a plastic kiddy pool with a mullet, camel cigarette, Budweiser a wife beater and ripped off jean shorts.
It’s enough effort for me to try to put out a decent model,never mind all the machinations to take the kind of photos some of you take it’s a whole other hobby,and I salute you.
This is what is constantly happening with my camera. Even when I put it in the lightbox, it either focuses on the background while I’m trying to film or when I take pictures, it blurs way too much and hyper focuses on a small area. That’s why I’m curious what others are using, I feel like my camera’s auto focus maybe just isn’t all that great.
Interesting, maybe the same thing is happening with my camera on the black backdrop. I need to try manually focusing it as well. I’m just not a photo guy Maybe they’re not great low light cameras? I wish I knew more about photography
You said you have a Canon G7X, right? That’s a nice camera that will do excellent macro photography… but it will take some study and practice.
I’d suggest watching some youtube videos on Miniature photography. There’s tons of them, and most are aimed at beginners or laypersons, and all the information is transferrable to scale model photography. Here’s three of my favoirites:
Set your aperture to the smaller settings, F.16, F.22, etc. Those will provide greater depth of field compared to larger aperture settings. Of course then you’ll have to use longer exposure times, but if you’re shooting in bright lighting and using some sort of stand for your camera, that should not come into play regarding the longer shutter speed.
This was taken in my light box using my iPhone 17 and its photo editing software. All I do is crop and choose a few auto edit settings for brightness, colors, etc.
so just curious what other people are getting good results with - that goes for specific cameras, the setting used and where you take the photos. I’d like long term to save up for a camera that’s more capable of close ups and low light scenarios. The canon I have is great, but I bought it for traveling and it’s best used as just a general camera, I don’t think model shoots are where it shines brightest.
