Customikey Works on His Photography [Archive]

Customikey

09-19-2006, 06:45 AM

Hi guys. I wanted to use a different thread for this, since you've already seen all these custom-painted figures in my other thread (or when I post in other parts of the board.)

So, this is just for me to work on my photography skills. After posting one too many pics that don't represent my work very well (Obi-Wan being a startling example), I decided it's definitely time to make a change.

So, if you'd let me know what you think of my current efforts, that'd be grand. I can't really afford to buy a better camera than my Olympus Camedia C-60 right now, so it's all got to be a change in lighting and how I use the camera. It's got 6.1 megapixels. Maybe there's a setting on the camera I'm doing wrong....

I'm taking some very good advice from other members, i.e. "natural lighting" bulbs, not taking such extreme close-ups and using pics that are just too big. I'm keeping myself from doing the last two by sticking to a sort of "widescreen" format when I edit the pics down in Photo Editor.

Anyway, here's some of my new effort at not taking crappy pics.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2549/anakinvaderqp9.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6981/bfett3lu3.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/188/gammy1kh2.jpg

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6492/obi8ce4.jpg

King Darkness

09-19-2006, 07:22 AM

Customikey

09-19-2006, 07:58 AM

Okay, I love this forum and the passion of it's members, but I'm getting very very tired of all the customizers and painters throwing their flashy, gaudy, large pictured, thrice double damned agendas in my face everytime they post!:rolleyes:

:peace :rip

Just keep re-opeing those wounds, KD....

It's so hard to keep myself from being goaded, but I've said all I need to on THAT subject.

I know you were trying to be funny, but I'm not too keen on being mocked with my own words.

But thanks anyway. :peace

Icemizer

09-19-2006, 08:09 AM

A few picture tips. Please take no offense if you are already doing these things.

1. Mini or full size tripod. If not in your budget then use any stable platform you can to rest the camera on. In any shooting most especially close up work moving the camera just a hair will result in loss of focus.( See #4)

2. If shooting from closer than one foot away make sure the Macro setting is on.

3. Seperate the subject of the photo from the backround. More distance is better than less.

4. Watch your focus. This one is harder than it sounds. In picture one Anakins leather vest is in focus not his face.

4. The hardest to do, but not expensive "3 point lighting."

If you have only natural room lighting to work with( a lamp or window) then you need to get creative. Get a 16x16 piece of cardboard and cover it with aluminum foil, shiny side out on one side, dull on the other. make sure it is as flat as possible. Place this on the opposite side of the figure from the main light direction. Just prop it up with a book or something out of camera view. This will bounce light back on the subject of the photo giving a more balanced lighting look. Use the shiny side first. If its to bright flip it over and use the dull side.

As a point of reference I have been shooting and editing video for the last 18 years. Getting the lighting right on moving objects is a little harder than stills but the same basics apply.

Of course now your figures will be shown in even more glory and I will be even more depressed that mine dont look as good. Keep them coming Mikey.

FrankenFan

09-19-2006, 08:59 AM

I was surprised to read you are using a 6.1MP camera, as your pictures usually lack the sharpness and clarity a higher MP camera delivers.

In addition to Icemizer's great tips — and I know this is obvious — check your resolution and compression settings. The most pixels = the highest resolution = the sharpest picture. Conversely, high compression = less sharpness + more artifacts.

Further, when shooting in low light without a flash, be careful that your camera's ISO value is not set too high. The higher the value, the more your camera is sensitive to light, but higher settings also introduce noise, making your pictures appear grainy.

I've probably told you something you already know, but sometimes it's easy to overlook the obvious! :D

http://www.kurtgoldzung.com/MB/glxy.jpg

Jesseawilson

09-19-2006, 09:39 AM

Use focus lock on the focal point then adjust the object to the desired position within the frame.

FYI: Best money ever spent on my camera was my 430EZ flash and my 24-70 F 2.8 L USM.

Jesse

Using a Canon 20D, 430EZ, 24-70 F 2.8 L USM, and many other lenses........

Customikey

09-19-2006, 10:31 AM

Offence? No way!! These tips are awesome! I'll tell you, I'm not very technologically savvy. Mostly because I hate reading instruction manuals. I prefer tril and error. WHich is probably why I know nothing about compression, etc. The lighting tips and everything can't help but be useful. Thanks guys!

Now I just need a moment to try it all out....

dekadentdave

09-19-2006, 10:54 AM

The problem I see is the lighting. The hues look orange. Buy some white bulbs so we can see the natural colors and hues in your images.

galactiboy

09-19-2006, 01:20 PM

And another thing is to take lots of the same photo... sometimes messing with the focus, lighting a bit as you go. Its hard to tell what your shot will actually look like until you start looking on your monitor... and by then it may be too late.

But rest assured, we are all very confident in your painting abilities :monkey5 And actually the Gamorean Guard photo looks awesome!!!

DarkArtist81

09-19-2006, 05:26 PM

Thanks for posting this Mikey! I needed help here too.... all my pics are out of focus, orange or just bad altogether. Sometimes I get lucky.. but not all the time...

Customikey

09-20-2006, 07:03 AM

But rest assured, we are all very confident in your painting abilities :monkey5 And actually the Gamorean Guard photo looks awesome!!!

For some reason Gammy turns out very well in the photos. I think it's because the lighting is reminiscent of Jabba's Palace, dark and toplit.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3756/gammy3ki5.jpg

I'm not worried really about anyone thinking I can't paint. In all modesty, I think I've proved myself to y'all, although I expect I'll slip up every now and then with my paint choices. It's just that, well, once painted, I'm proud of the finished figure like it's a child, not necessarily because "I" painted it. I don't know if that makes sense. And I just want to show off my kids.

Here are a couple of attempts at re-adjusting my camera. I need a tripod. Right now I prop it up, put it on auto-focus and use the remote to take the pic. I had the crosshairs aimed directly at their faces.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4391/han3ey3.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5670/vaderunmasked1we4.jpg

Once I think I have a good system down, this thread will probably disappear and I'll just post in my regular thread. But maybe others will find it useful for their own pics. Lots of great advice already!!

Icemizer

09-20-2006, 08:02 AM

Much better focus here CM. Good work on getting that camera out of your hands and using the remote. The slightest jiggle on closeups results in poor pics.

It may sound odd for the lighting but what you need to look for is a full spectrum bulb. These are usually in the nursery(plants) section for giving house plants light in the winter. They are not red(warm) or blue(cold) but deliver the full spectrum of light. You can then manipulate this light color to your desire. It will give the most natural "sun light" look to your figures.

Most artists will tell you they paint or work in well light preferably sunlit areas to see if their work "looks" natural. This type of light is as sun like as it gets.

Darth Waller

09-20-2006, 08:02 AM

CM, did you replace the fuzzy part of the Gamorrean Guard or did you use something to dirty it up? I have one of those figures but I hate the way it looks out of the box.

Customikey

09-20-2006, 10:45 AM

CM, did you replace the fuzzy part of the Gamorrean Guard or did you use something to dirty it up? I have one of those figures but I hate the way it looks out of the box.

I bought mine specifically to give it an overhaul. Great sculpt. Lousy everything else. I scrubbed a heell of alot of taupe acrylic into his fuzzy skirt, trying to do it in layers so it wasn't all brown when I was done. Call it heavy dry-brushing. It destroyed the brush.

Darth Waller

09-20-2006, 12:08 PM

I think it's one of Hasbro's best, so I bought it for Jabba. I'm going to try to get some work done on him so his eyes and clothing look more like he did in the movie. Yours looks really good. Thanks for the reply!

galactiboy

09-20-2006, 01:18 PM

Gammy looks nice as you new avatar!

Customikey

09-20-2006, 03:18 PM

Gammy looks nice as you new avatar!

Gotta love your Gammy.

DarkArtist81

09-20-2006, 03:28 PM

Yeah Mikey... I know what you mean about thinking of the repaints as your "children"... You have this wierd sense of pride that makes you want to show it to everyone and say... "Check this out!!"

It's a strange thing.... :lol

Nice pics too btw.... I seriously need to set up a backdrop and decent lighting one day....

occulum

09-20-2006, 04:25 PM

incandescent bulbs usually project a nice yellow cast which can be a bear to remove.
Do you by chance have photoshop?
Auto Levels/Colors can do wonders in a simple couple mouse clicks.
if you dont it would be a great investment for you. You deserve the best images possible to accurately reflect your beautiful work.

dekadentdave

09-21-2006, 01:06 AM

How about a close up on Han's face so we can see more facial detail?

Customikey

09-21-2006, 07:07 AM

How about a close up on Han's face so we can see more facial detail?

I'm tryin'! God knows I'm tryin'...

Buttmunch

09-22-2006, 04:02 PM

I'm tryin'! God knows I'm tryin'...

Try not. DO, or do not. There is no try.

Customikey

09-23-2006, 09:51 PM

Sigh. I managed to get two pretty good pics of Hicks. Same pose/ different lighting. Not sure which is better/worse. I'm also trying to be more active in Photo Editor.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4629/hicks2zh3.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5429/hicks1mp7.jpg

dekadentdave

09-24-2006, 09:17 AM

I like the shading and colors for his hair. I may have to go with those colors when I repaint my 20th Century Kyle Reese.

figuremaster_les

09-25-2006, 08:17 AM

I really like the one of Hicks with more contrast and shadows!
That one looks GREAT!
More like that!!!!

Gruff Old Bear

09-25-2006, 08:30 AM

Mikey, try looking for a mini-tripod. They're real cheap -- ten bucks or less. They won't provide elevation, but they do guarantee that the camera will be steady.

I'm trying to think of the name of the big camera outlet in NYC, it's two letters, B & something? They'll probably have a few styles. Mini-tripods are popular with tourists who want self-group-portraits in front of landmarks.

Beautiful work.

danfaz

09-25-2006, 09:50 AM

One tip I'd suggest is a photo tent to soften that harsh light.

Here's a very good tutorial: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=301748&ck=

KamenGuyver

09-25-2006, 10:23 AM

One tip I'd suggest is a photo tent to soften that harsh light.

Here's a very good tutorial: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=301748&ck=

That is really useful and simple. Thanks for the tips, danfaz !

Customikey

09-26-2006, 07:39 AM

Try not. DO, or do not. There is no try.

Still a bit grainy. Maybe I'll start looking for a phototent and tripod....

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3333/p9250028fh9.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5953/p9250026yd7.jpg

Gruff Old Bear

09-26-2006, 08:35 AM

Yeah, I got a light cube off eBay for about forty bucks. I shot the two Les repaints in my sig in the light cube with my film SLR. The cube is collapsible and easy to store. Similar to a reflector for you car's windshield.

Here's one with a grey background I wish I'd gotten:

http://cgi.ebay.com/30-PHOTO-TENT-LIGHT-CUBE-SOFTBOX-W-6-COLORS-BACKDROPS_W0QQitemZ260035447884QQihZ016QQcategoryZ 79008QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Customikey

09-26-2006, 10:37 AM

danfaz

09-26-2006, 02:15 PM

Congrats! I'm sure you'll love the results!

Gruff Old Bear

10-01-2006, 08:47 AM

SOLD! Can't wait to get it.

No more crude backdrops and bad lighting!!!

Good for you, Mikey...my cube has only a white and a black background. The black makes the camera try to compensate for what it "thinks" is an underlit picture, and the white does the opposite. Les suggested I try a grey background, since that will do the least to throw exposure or color balance off. I haven't gotten around to finding one yet.

I don't know much about Photo Editor, but if it lets you select and delete areas and work with layers, a monotone background is real easy to eliminate, and you can replace the background with a slide from the movie.

Customikey

10-01-2006, 10:09 PM

Thanks, Gruff. I still have to experiment with it. I chose the grey background. I need more light sources....and time. More time would be good too....

I want to use my wife's reading light, but...but she's always....READING!!!

Gruff Old Bear

10-02-2006, 08:45 AM

Courtesy of the Clubhouse board, here's a tutorial -- a long one -- just posted at Dan Richard Design covering tabletop photography on a budget. His whole setup, including a $50 light tent, cost under $100:

http://www.danrichard.com/

The tutorial also covers digital enhancement using a PC application called Photopaint, which seems similar to Photoshop. I'm not familiar with it.

Of course, there's a point where enhancing photos of repaints might be called cheating :rolleyes: ...but if you're thinking about a webspace for showcasing your work and soliciting commissions, pro-looking photos will be key. His notes about how to make the background go away are right on the money.

Customikey

10-14-2006, 08:00 PM

I got my light box and have used it a couple of times in my regular thread (see link in my sig), but I'm still futzing around with lighting, so I wanted to lay these portrait shots on you and see what you think!

As always, these are figs you've seen before, so I can save new work for the regular thread, and so I can show off old work with better pics.

By the way, thanks soo much Gruff, for suggesting the light box. It's made the process so much less frustrating!!

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9440/pa140025ta7.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7815/pa140047xr2.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6006/pa140043nr1.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8049/pa140034xr5.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9695/pa140028zb7.jpg

And a couple more shots of Obi that came out really well.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2475/pa140039pg4.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5664/pa140033dj5.jpg

dekadentdave

10-14-2006, 11:18 PM

Mikey, your photography has improved to match your painting skills. Indeed you are powerful. :emperor

Spartan Rex

10-14-2006, 11:26 PM

Gorgeous repaints. Now to clone and put you on the SS manufacturing line in Asia.:lol

dekadentdave

10-14-2006, 11:41 PM

You ain't kidding. I hope Sideshow takes note of Mikey's repaints and realizes that something must be done about their lackluster factory paint aps and steps up the quality of their figures. I know factory paints can never match a talented hand-painted effort but they could at least get the hair color and shading right. Put Mikey on the payroll and he'll QC 'em good and proper!