This afternoon I have been experimenting with a 'Heath Robinson' Light Box built out of a couple of sheets of cardboard, a melon carton and some bamboo sticks.
Photo One - A plain white background in direct sunlight.
Photo Two - Again the plain white background and direct sunlight, but this time with the Macro setting on the digital camera..
Photo Three - Indirect sunlight through a diffuser, some clear packing film held in place with masking tape. (I told you it was Heath Robinson!)
Photo Four - As above but with the Macro setting.
Photo Five - Artificial light this time, a single 60watt standard bulb lit from above.
Photo Six - Artificial light but with the Macro setting.
Interesting experiments. At this moment I am going with the diffused lighting as it has less stark shadows. However what am I going to do when the winter comes and good sunlight is in short supply?
For the past three/four years I have been using a pale blue background (see earlier posts) but I have been told that if I want to proceed with a PDF book on building wargame terrain, I will need A - a better camera (unlikely at this moment as funds are tight) and B - a light box.
I'll keep you informed of developments.
Tony
5 comments:
A "daylight" or full spectrum bulb might help for the winter.
I'll second a daylight bulb, I've been using one for all of my miniature photo'ing for a few years now
Damn clever stuff.
You can also use a halogen bulb (very bright) and then diffuse it to use it during the day.
And more powerful cameras can be hired/borrowed for a weekend's work if you plan everything out in advance.
What are you doing about exposure times? Even with poor light a long exposure will sort it out.
You could heath robinson up a light box quite easily. Plasic rods and quality tracing paper/diffuse plastic. There are small ones going on ebay but may be too small for terrain pieces. Daylight bulbs really help as well. if you camera has a bulb setting or ability to add a shutter release cable would definately help.
Post a Comment