photographing models

[Mowgli1647545497]

Over the past year due to some injuries I've had to back way off my outdoor activities. replaced it with modeling. WH40K stuff to be precise. (received the SpaceHulk board game as a gift and in the processing of assembling/painting the pieces for that, it sort of took off). The figures are about the size of your thumb with the vehicles ranging from softball to football size.

 

Now I'm trying to photograph these dang things and I am having no luck. No matter what I do the miniatures in the pic come out over saturated and end up looking blotchy and melted. All the tones and shading (And there's alot - over 11 shades of red on the big tank alone, not counting washes and weathering).

 

I've tried with my Galaxy S4 as many settings as I can. I've tried mucking around with it in Paint.net (am pretty good with this program). Tried the wife's DSL. We have a GE X550 and a Nikon L830 (neither of which I have any idea how to set up).

 

I try to put the models near a wide window on the west side of the house for sunlight (1pm ish timeframe) but not in direct sun. I've used indoor lamps too. Can't seem to get it right.

 

Anyway, wall of text. HELP.

 

Here's a pic of what I'm trying to do. This is just a quick snapshot from my Galaxy S4.

 

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/909/hs6Scv.jpg

 

And a link to the full size image of the above (warning huge)

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/8990/hs6Scv.jpg

 

 

Also some previous tries at individual model shots:

http://1drv.ms/1HaF2nE

http://1drv.ms/1zwERht

http://1drv.ms/1zwF6Jp

http://1drv.ms/1zwFlEj

http://1drv.ms/1HaBbah

http://1drv.ms/1zwFB6j

http://1drv.ms/1zwFLug

http://1drv.ms/1zwFNSS

http://1drv.ms/1zwGlbv

http://1drv.ms/1zwGDPs

http://1drv.ms/1HaE1fs

http://1drv.ms/1HaEsGn

 

 

Any advice is appreciated.

Edited November 17, 2014 by Mowgli

[Orion]

I always thought the WH40k Models/Games were crazy interesting. Never had an opportunity to play, though. :-(

 

 

That is no help at all to you, my bad.

[Richard Cranium]

The models look awesome. I still have my Space Hulk game and the expansion pack but I haven't played in well over 15 years. One thought I had is sometimes cameras have difficulty focusing very close. There might be a cell phone attachment that would allow the camera to focus from a closer range. I'm sure the photography folks here will chime in shortly.

[Jackson1647545504]

After clicking the thread I was "disappoint" ... but actually interesting ... nice work on the models

[wagner]

If you need help let me know, we can meet up and shoot them with my gear if you like.

 

I can't click those image links at work but can look at home.