How to photograph your model, Cruzers style; UPDATED


When I am not hanging out with the family or paint my models, I am busy with photography. I manage a few photostores and work as a wedding photographer through the year. Needless to say I value a decent photo of a model. But when it comes to my own models I am shamefully lazy. While John goes out and buys lights and special bulbs, I prefer to do it quick and dirty. So here is my tutorial on how to photograph a model.

1. find a six year old who can bend a piece of paper
2. place your model on the paper

3. aim your flash to the ceiling and take the picture.
4. resize it in photoshop and bring up the white levels a little if you caught a dark day.

UPDATED with info for readers with point and shoot digitals

If you use a point and shoot digital, make sure of two things:
1. have window light (not direct sun) fall on your model, turn the flash off

OR

2. turn the flash to fill so it brings down the output. Put the background as far away behind the model as possible to avoid shadows. Pretty much all my WIP i shoot with a little digital that way, saving the big one for work thats done.

Here are some models I am working on that I shot all in one go.

My regimental adviser
I have been loving the white primer with Devlan mud washes. It works great to start off a model with. Very inspiring to see all the details.
my new astropath
and a catachan sergeant that John had six of, so he gave me one. I actually think it will look good in the Bishkek 2nd. i did remove his bare belly and made him a bullit proof vest.
What I am really enjoying is making these title images for new posts, working with multiple layers, filters and added imagery. Here's my latest one. more on him next time!

Comments

  1. Nice tutorial - but 98% of people have digicams with a straight, fixed flash.

    i.e - chances are if you have a seperate flash you can aim at the ceiling, you don't need a tutorial to use it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you use a point and shoot digital, make sure of two things:
    1. have window light (not direct sun) fall on your model, turn the flash off
    2. turn the flash to fill so it brings down the output. Put the background as far away behind the model as possible to avoid shadows. Pretty much all my WIP i shoot with a little digital that way, saving the big one for work thats done.
    Mike
    SCW

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cracking tutorial matey, is that marbo in the last pic?

    I really wish I had your photoshop skills, my blog might have a header if I did.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wind up taking 19 shots with the point and shoot dig ..... eventually some make it to the blog ... lol

    Painting looks great ...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good photo tips.

    Wow that Astropath is amazing, is that a Forgeworld body?

    ReplyDelete
  6. chaosgerbil: the astropath is a resin model from Micro Arts out of Poland. Check their website, it's listed under the Iron Brotherhood.
    shipping is fast
    Mike
    SCW

    ReplyDelete

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