here is a breakdown of my photo set up and process
1. I have a blue-white gradient printed out on some 11x17in cardstock. It is blue tacked to the top of an old file cabinet...If you need one I have it uploaded to photobucket here:
http://i91.photobuck...k/Backdrop2.jpg
2. I have two normal desk lamp fixtures (I got mine at a salvation army store for less than $5 total) that are equipped with 30watt Compact Fluorescent Daylight Bulbs (the Corkscrew kind). I got mine from my local Hardware super store...Home Depot or Lowes...can't remember which...they were like $3 each. These are angled at the subject from slightly above and from 45 degrees to either side.
3. I have a third desk lamp with a longer tube...like this one
It has a long bulb like this:
This means the light is coming from a broader area and therefore cuts down on shadows. This lamp I hold above the camera when I'm taking a picture. In this arrangement the light is coming from basically the same place as the camera is taking the picture from...again this cuts down on shadows.
4. My camera is mounted on a tripod...again decent ones can be found cheap at Garage sales etc.
A picture of the complete "set-up"
5. Use the cameras timer to take your picture...you know the one where you press the button and run into a family photo...yeah that one....that way you aren't shaking the camera at all when you release the shutter. Alternatively get a remote release...so you don't have to use the timer.
Also don't forget to use the Macro setting for close up shots....which all miniature photography is.
6. In Photoshop I crop the image and adjust the levels a little bit...I also reduce the width of the image to about 200pixels per figure...so 4 figures at once would be 800 pixels wide. Too big of a photos shows off all your flaws...too small and you can't see any detail. I then use the sharpen filter to bring out the crispness in the model that can get lost in a stock photo. Save the files with a different name so you have your edited copy and the original both saved.
here are a few example shots to show you what a raw image looks like and one that has been processed.
Here is a raw photo:
Here is the cropped shot:
Here it is after the levels have been adjusted...basically correcting the white balance...ie not cheating...
:
And here is the Sharpened Final Image:
I think the difference between the last two photos is subtle but makes a HUGE difference in the quality of the image. Just a note though...don't sharpen too much as it will make your photo grainy...too much of a good thing can go bad!
Cheers,
Blue