Mission Impossible - good pic from me

[Nameless]

We all know that I suck at taking pics. I have finally decided to do something about it.

My goal are not super-professional pics. I don't know much about photography, equipment or photoshop-like programs. I just want to be able to post pics which show what I have actually painted (preferably without improving it with computer programs). Perhaps with your help my photo-fu will improve

Yesterday I started with reading manual of my camera and trying to understand what's written in it The problem is the manual says "how to" do something (like setting shutter speed), but not "what for" So, for now I only changed my auto setting with regards to 'white balance'. that was easy - I use artificial lights, I need to have a bulb-symbol on my display That, and macro-mode are only special camera functions I used yesterday.

I also scratch-built a light tent. Nothing fancy. I cut holes in a cardboard box and glued/attached sheets of tracing paper. Than I prepared an improvised photo-station Light tent on the shelf and two lamps (each with standard 60W bulb. you can see it below.

Click to see full-sized image
Click to see full-sized image

Unfortunately I didn't use a tripod. I have one at home, but it is stored in a closet in a room, where my kid sleeps. Didn't want to wake him up, so I only stabilized camera by pressing it on the shelf. No tripod also meant that I didn't even bother with auto-shutter release (mental note - get tripod and turn auto-shutter mode on next time).

For tests I took 2 minis (not one painted by me, btw). Dark mage and light viking. Here are results - first pics are cropped only, second are corrected version of first ones

Click to see full-sized image
Click to see full-sized image
Click to see full-sized image
Click to see full-sized image


not bad, I must say. I'd however prefer to get 2nd pic result without improving it with a computer program.
Original pics are too dark. I definitely want to use a third lamp (above the tent).
What else can I do? Get stronger bulbs? Increase the exposure time?
Any other hints?

[Trovarion]

hmm somehow i think the first versions are in both cases better!

[Nameless]

IMO the auto-correction improved some parts of the pic, while making other a bit worse at the same.
Even if first pics are better, they are also too dark. So, what do I do now to make them better?

[Demi_morgana]

heck, I also like the first version of scythe guy! O_o
who painted it Phil?

[Nameless]

both minis were received during mini exchange events organized on the reaper forum.
viking was painted by Lauth (the guy from Germany, can't recall his true name atm). mage was sent to me by Jen Kaufman from USA (Midnight Lurker on reaper forum). She recently won BoS on one of US cons

[Trovarion]

i would try to increase the light intensity in the original pics by using stronger light bulbs. i think if you do that you dont even need to do any post-processing...

EDIT: maybe just one more light from the top?

[NAVARRO]

lamps are to far away mate and the most important light is from above


Im no pro either and hate to fiddle with photoshop to enhance miniatures.

[Nameless]

well, the third lamp was planned for yesterday, but I didn't have an access to it same case as with tripod
we'll see if the third lamp would be enough (or third lamp AND stronger bulbs)

EDIT:
@Nav - too far? they can't be any closer unless I make smaller tent. I placed lamps so that they are in fact touching sides of the tent.

[Demi_morgana]

I also have to check if I get get 3rd lightsource good point!

[Skrit]

Crap, I have to try this too!:D