picture perfect

anyone got tips for taking pictures of models? I'm thinking of starting a project blog for the stuff I'm painting for a bit more motivation.

A few thing's I'd reccomend for taking pic's woudl be to pick up a background of some sort. I went to a little scrapbooking store down the street and got about 5 for 2$. This way people are only seeing your mini, and not your work station or other =I=censor=I=.

-I'd also download a photo editor software thingy I use GIMP, which was free. There's also a handy free tutorial on the links I am going to point you at in a second.

-Use the digital Macro setting on your camera. And use a tripod if you've got one. A cheap tripod from the dollar store is a couple bucks.

-Take pics from far enough backwards that the entire model is in view, in focus, and you're not casting your own shadow on it. Maybe a foot.

-If you dont have enough light, take the pics on a sunny day. Which around here isn't easy, and winter is coming. You don't need espensive lights (but they help!) and the setup you paint with is probably okay.

Here's some links to good articles from CoolMiniorNot.com. The photography section has links to download GIMP, and other great articles for snapping pics. Written by people who really know their =I=censor=I=. Check 'em out if you like....

http://www.coolminiornot.com/article

read your camera manual on talking close/macro shots. I know this probably sounds condescending, but i never did, and my pictures were =I=censor=I= until i sat down and gave it a good read. You can also pick up little desk lamps for about $9 at canadian tire. I use true light bulbs that are 100w, and have three lamps. All this stuff will be covered in Scotts links though... and im not nearly as good as the guys who wrote those, do read em! If you decide to try making a light box i can give you some tips on where to get the materials.