Moderator TaleSpinner Posted June 26, 2012 Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hey, I just thought I'd share a few pictures of my new photo studio that I built last night (I was going to place this in Shutterbug, but pictures aren't allowed there). I finally have a dedicated area for photography. No more clearing the work table to make room for picture taking. The back drop is Carson Paper as suggested by Derek S. I still need to make diffusers for my lights (though I might try it without and see what happens. One feature I like is that I can pull it to the edge of the table and use my full-sized tripod with it. I'll be playing with it tonight to see what I can do with it. Can't wait! Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Spiffy setup, I'm rearranging stuff at the moment as well to have a permanent shooting spot. Are you shooting very close to the figure or setting tripod up further back? Also out of curiosity, may I ask what camera you are using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted June 26, 2012 Author Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2012 Are you shooting very close to the figure or setting tripod up further back? Also out of curiosity, may I ask what camera you are using? I usually shoot very close, but with my swanky new camera, I may try it back as well. I'll be playing with it tonight to see what will give me the best results. As for my camera, I just got it and am in love. It is a Canon PowerShot SX260 HS, the newest offering from Canon. This thing is incredible. I can take awesome macro shots, evening in lower light WITHOUT a tripod. All the pictures in my recent WIP were taken without a tripod, just using my workbench lights. Canon's new macro image stabilization with their new Digic 5 processor is that good (I'm starting to sound like an add for Canon ). I've found that the video it takes is superb as well. I'm hoping to do some video tutorials soon. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone in the market for one. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubbdog Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Recommendations.... Two part filtering... I will try to take pictures tonight of how I do it to better show, but You need to block the direct light from the lamps to the minis. Else you get hotspots all over your pictures. I literally taped a large base onto the end of the lightbulb (tape connects to the lamp, not the bulb, but the base sits against the bulb). Then I also cover the entire thing with a plastic bag from the grocery store. Last suggestion, is to use a much darker colored background. Dark gray, blue, or even black. The lights will light it up with a nice glow but not wash out your paintjob. Now, between the three lights you still get plenty of light, but not the hotspots. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silas Coggeshall Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Excellent work mate. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted June 26, 2012 Author Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2012 ...a large base onto the end of the lightbulb ... Last suggestion, is to use a much darker colored background. Dark gray, blue, or even black. The lights will light it up with a nice glow but not wash out your paintjob. Not sure what you meen by a "large base" I was planning on taping tissue paper over the bulbs. However, I also want to experiment without filtering. In my WIP shots using regular bulbs and no filtering, I am for some reason not getting the hot spots with my new camera. I think the camera is compensating for them. I have to play with this a bit more to see if I can figure out what is going on. As for a background, I bought 10 different colors (minimum order was 10 sheets) The brown you see is actually a bit darker than it appears in the photo as I washed it out tinkering with the photo before posting it. I like having a range of colors to try so I can best suit the model I am shooting. I do have the dark blue and dark grey that others like, but I also want to experiment with some other colors as well. I've been really having a hard time finding a background that works well when shooting the greens that I sculpt. I need to come up with a good method of photographing greens so I can best present them to prospective customers. Thanks, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubbdog Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Well, for me, a large base is exactly that.. a large Warlord game base (little black square). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted June 26, 2012 Author Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2012 Well, for me, a large base is exactly that.. a large Warlord game base (little black square). Ahh, OK,I get it. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalchaos Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Nice installation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about you setup. That will surely help me improve mine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaGeek Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 It looks almost exactly like my setup. I don't use diffusers on my lamps, either,although I may try them sometime. I'm worried about creating a fire hazard. What is Carson paper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted June 27, 2012 Author Moderator Share Posted June 27, 2012 It looks almost exactly like my setup. Wow, imagine that, it's almost like I read your blog everyday or something. What is Carson paper? Oops, meant Canson Paper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaGeek Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Now I'm blushing! Did you order the paper from Blick, or did you find it in a store? I try not to order from a Blick until I can maximize the shipping value with just the right sized order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TaleSpinner Posted June 27, 2012 Author Moderator Share Posted June 27, 2012 Now I'm blushing! Did you order the paper from Blick, or did you find it in a store? I try not to order from a Blick until I can maximize the shipping value with just the right sized order. I got lazy and ordered it. Afterward, I realized I could have gone to their store here in the Twin Cities, but it is ont he other side of the city and the people working there are extremely rude (probably why I didn't think of it first). When you consider gas and my time, it is probably a wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaGeek Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 OK! And hey, can you please let me know how it works out if you make tissue paper light diffusers? I'd really like some kind of filter myself (although I'm mostly satisfied with the photos I'm taking now), but I'm afraid of starting a fire. Those lamps get hot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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