My Try @ Product Photography - Toys and Collectables

[DM101]

For TABLE OF CONTENTS of all images in this thread please see Page 20


What's featured on this Page 9....

NOTICE: If you don't see the images in some of the older posts means I had used up the 10GB bandwidth for this month. I'm sorry these pictures can no longer be viewed until next month where the counter will be reset to zero and the pictures would then appear again. For the newer posts I am using another account so it is not affected. Enjoy !




Shooting Small Toys Tips - Behind the Scenes

Here is how I did it...

BTW I am no expert in this field - the tips provided here are for home enthusiast who like to produce the shoots/images pictured in this thread

For TIPS on how these images are shot please see this thread

 

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Part 2 - The Camera and Accessories

I use the NIKON D5100 for now. For Hi-Key shots I used the PHOTTIX wireless trigger to fire the Speedlite (these don't need line of sight).

Also used the NIKON cabled trigger for a more sharper shot. The NIKON infra-red tigger also works as well if you have one (but it drains the battery of the camera much faster)

Settings used are:
1. Lens VR turn off and use MANUAL focusing
2. Use a cable release and lock the mirror (in NIKON this is call exposure delay which will minimise vibration of the camera to give you the sharpest image)
3. Aperature I use f16 and shutter speed 1/30 (you can try yourself which one gives you best exposure)
4. White Balance set to FLASH
5. Shoot in RAW format

 

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Part 3 - The Lightings and Support

I used low-cost IKEA lamps. These are sufficient for Figures but for armored tanks (30cm in length) is not enough. ALL lamps used are COOL DAYLIGHT from PHILIPS - stick to ONE brand only for consistency in the lights color temperature

Just bought this lamp (17cm shade) and experimenting for the tanks shooting - yet been tested though

UPDATE 25 OCT - above setup works ! See picture below (click to see large image)

Also used 2 LEDs lamps CN-160. These can be bought over ebay and are not expensive compared if buying in SINGAPORE camera shops!


VERY VERY IMPORTANT - use a good tripod for the camera. The free tripod usually bundled with the camera are LOUSY - you can actually see the differences - if your image is not sharp all things doesn't matter any more

 

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Part 4 - Behind the Scenes

This is how the lightings are setup from the top view.

Just move the lamps nearer/further from the figures to get the lightings you require.

To prevent flare from the flash in Hi-Key shots, I also used two small boxes to block it (DIY using velvet black coth glued to it) See the differences....

Noticed the unprocessed image is already "95% there" - just some sharpening and you will have your final image.

Experiment and Enjoy !

UPDATE 31 OCT - I had started a new thread of the tips here where I will add more topics from time to time My Tips @n Toy and Collectables Photography

 

[DM101]

no prob bro.. eagerly awaiting ur setup.. haha.. i also DIY one.. but my pics still cannot achieve 立体 effect.. till now i still contemplating whether to go n buy those setup from shops.. haha..

Hope you would find the above guide useful...

 

[DM101]

 

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A WW2 American Ambulance...

BBA037-01 Dodge WC54 U.S. Army Ambulance (Winter Version) (King and Country BBA037-01)

 

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These vechicles are historically accurate.......

 

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BBA028 Takin' It Easy (King and Country BBA028)

 

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Tips on Focus Stacking - how this shot was taken here

 

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Hey... where did you get that coca-cola ?

Another shot in high-key

BBA029 GI Drinking Coffee (King and Country BBA029)

 

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HA9008 Hobby Master - Junkers JU-52 "Immelmann II", late 1930s

This metal plane is about 14cm long - is heavy and so historically accurate !

 

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This is a command car - relaying information on the battelfield to the commander. The top railings are in fact comms antenna.

In WW2 the Germans had already know how to use camouflage for the vechicles and tanks.... so this concept is not something new today.




Click on the image to see the large size photo

 

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Click on the image to see the large size photo



BTW the 4 soldiers are glued to the vechicle (1 driver inside the canopy - not seen from here) that is why I cannot remove them to shoot the vechicle only

 

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Late WW2 the German already are using camouflage uniforms - more than 60++ years ago - nothing changed much, we still using camouflage uniforms till today...

 

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Commanders making real-time battle decisions....


WS077(SL) Panzer Meyer's Command Halftrack (King and Country WS077(SL))




Click to see the large size image

 

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All together 6 figures (Driver hidden from view) - the WW2 Vechicle Command Set. The Germans already know the importance of communications in battlefield since WW2, this 3G or 4G army concept is not something new anyway - was already used 60+ years ago :bsmilie:

 

[DM101]

Boy are they historically accurate.... :thumbsup:

(Click to see the large size image)