Learning photography - (old "First photo shoot")

Today, I decided to start practicing my skills as a photographer for when Yukino arrives.

 

As I don't own any DD yet, I picked two of my Nendoroids as guinea pigs for this experiment of mine.

 

The result is on my blog. I hope you will like it. Your feedback is more than welcome.

 

I also put a link on my figure.fm. By the way, I have been adding everyone from here that I see there too.

 

Edited November 5, 2011 by Guest

he he, your fingers already itching to to take photos. I know this waiting game is like torture to you.

Do you have a lot space where you took photos of your nenodroids. I see that your using a D60 i suppose your using a 18-55 kit lens? (just guessing)

 

Also, i'm guessing your DLSR is set to auto. Try using Av or Manual, also set the camera to capture in RAW instead of jpeg. It makes post processing a lot easier, and you could make a not so good photo look good.

 

I just took some pics today on the roof, laying on the ground holding the dlsr in one hand and led light in the another (looking weird, thankfully no one could see me ). Sometimes time flies by when setting up and taking photos, sometimes just a few handfuls of good photos after a few hours

 

Anyway, i'm looking forward on seeing your new girl and you having fun taking photos of her.

Edited November 1, 2011 by Guest

For most of the pictures, I used a mini-studio just like this one:

 

 

I didn't use the tripod, but I will probably give it a try next time.

 

I kept it simple because as I mentioned it was really my first time. Not only shooting dolls/figures, but with the camera as well. One has to start somewhere. This was my kick-off.

 

Did you post your pictures somewhere? I would love to see them.

i just edited my previous post.

 

Photos i took quickly today, but the sky wasn't ideal. it was very hazy

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1403

i just edited my previous post.

 

Photos i took quickly today, but the sky wasn't ideal. it was very hazy

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1403

Thanks for the tips.

 

I didn't do any post processing. The pictures are all raw.

 

Next time, better.

I updated the title of this thread of mine to avoid opening another one for pretty much the same thing. Of course that I cannot have a second first photo shoot, so...

 

Well, I tried it again. I still haven't had the chance to shoot outside, so I had to fight with (or should I say "against"?) the light (again).

Result: Bad Lights 2 x 0 Love Angel.

 

Kaoru Kamiya by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

Details on my blog.

Hey, you gotta start somewhere! Keep at it! It took me months to figure out lighting issues when I started doing pics of Manami. But once I found a groove, things progressed more easily. it just takes time and practice! Just remember that if you take 100 pics and only 1 is a good one, you've still done well. I take TONS of pics on my photoshoots and normally delete half or more of them. then I whittle it down to keepers.

 

Keep practicing and messing with adjustments and lighting, you'll get it soon!

 

 

Billy

^^ You have a point there.

 

I am not taking enough pictures I guess. Yesterday, I got so disappointed that I stopped after awhile.

 

Thank you so much for the support. I feel like trying again later today.

^^ You have a point there.

 

I am not taking enough pictures I guess. Yesterday, I got so disappointed that I stopped after awhile.

 

Thank you so much for the support. I feel like trying again later today.

 

 

No problem! I have been into taking pics for years but I never *seriously* wanted to do more with them. That's mainly due to me not having a subject to photograph all the time. I mostly just took pics of places I went or get togethers I attended. I wasn't trying to setup shots or photograph someone or something specific.

 

I did start paying more attention to how I took pics when I was more into collecting anime figures and statues. I knew lighting would be key so I bought two of those el cheapo light buckets from Walmart to help me out. They were just cheap clip on lights but they helped me get decent shots of stuff. Here are the lights I was using:

 

 

I used a 75 watt bulb made by GE that was called a Reveal. It is supposed to mimic sunlight for a more natural light. Using both of these lights, I took pics of my figures with a blue cardboard backdrop I also got from Walmart. Here are some pics using my old Sony DHC camera:

 

 

 

 

 

So you *can* get good photos with only very basic equipment. You already have a nice lightbox setup so go with that. Just remember to turn off your flash when taking these pics! You may also need to change your ISO settings in your camera if it has them. White balance is also something else you'll want to mess with since it can color your pictures depending on what light sources you are using. Play around with the settings until you find one that suits what you like. If you don't have the ability to change these settings, just utrn off the flash and let the auto settings do the rest.

 

Doing DD pics is a bit harder tho. But lighting is key. If you get good light, your pics can really "pop". Just keep practicing and take lots of pics. So what if you don't like them all? That's why you can take multiples and then keep the good ones and delete the rest.

 

 

Billy

I am really impressed with your pictures!

 

At work, they call me "paparazza" because I am the one who likes to take pictures of everyone at the events we organize. The thing is that I just pressed the button. If the light was not good, I just didn't share it, no further thoughts about it.

 

I am lucky because my boyfriend has been interested in taking pictures of his figures for a while and that is the reason why we have the mini-studio. I have been using his "old" camera, Nikon D60, with the standard lens and I must say that it is already a huge leap for me.

 

This afternoon, I will probably try it again and I will be posting it for sure.

 

Thanks for everything, Billy. You have no idea how much supportive your words are to me.

I am really impressed with your pictures!

 

At work, they call me "paparazza" because I am the one who likes to take pictures of everyone at the events we organize. The thing is that I just pressed the button. If the light was not good, I just didn't share it, no further thoughts about it.

 

I am lucky because my boyfriend has been interested in taking pictures of his figures for a while and that is the reason why we have the mini-studio. I have been using his "old" camera, Nikon D60, with the standard lens and I must say that it is already a huge leap for me.

 

This afternoon, I will probably try it again and I will be posting it for sure.

 

Thanks for everything, Billy. You have no idea how much supportive your words are to me.

 

 

Oh nice! My new camera is the same as yours! A Nikon D60! I also use the kit lens so now I know you'll be able to take great pics. The D60 is a really great camera. And it has lots of adjustments so you can really get the pics you want.

 

It's good to hear you're going to take more pics. Please do share them! And you're welcome!

 

 

Billy

I haven't had the chance (nor the time or the patience) to check all the stuff that one can do with the D60. It is really a lot for someone like me. I am slowly taking a step at a time.

 

From today's trial, this was my favorite:

Hazuki - Tsukuyomi by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

I think that I start to get the idea behind the lights. I am not able to control it or consciously pick the best setting for each picture, but different from yesterday, I feel that I move a bit forward. It was only my third attempt and I know that I could never make it perfect, but still... there is hope.

Hee hee, trust me, I still have no clue about HALF the settings on this camera!

 

The picture you showed looks good! The light isn't too bright and the background is completely washed out. Nice job! Keep at it and you'll only get better!

 

 

Billy

It is holiday here today and I decided to assign another model for my experimental photo shoots.

 

Hazuki 2 by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

I have another figure of Hazuki, with a lovely black cat and she was my muse today.

 

Hazuki 2 by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

I got some (nice?) shoots, but this time, I decided to share more on my Flickr to that I can get a better feedback from everyone.

 

Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, favorites etc. whether here, on Flickr or on my blog.

 

Thanks everyone in advance!

I did again.

 

Today, I had Mio helping me out.

 

Mio Akiyama by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

She did a great work and was of great aid.

 

Mio Akiyama by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

Now I am seriously thinking about start testing some post-processing. I know it is not easy, but just like taking pictures, I have to start at some point.

 

Mio Akiyama by Love 4ngel, on Flickr

 

Even though it might be a source of frustrating in the beginning, I do need to give it a try.

 

More on my blog.

Since you're using the D60 like me, try and making white level adjustments so your pics aren't so yellow looking. Unless of course thats the look you're going for. I know a few people who prefer this look and style to their pics. Go to the menu and look under "White Balance" and try different light settings like incandescent or flourescent. You can get blue looks to some pics and whiter for others. Just take the same pic like 6 or 7 times, each time with a different setting and then you can decide which look you like more.

 

Other than that your shots are looking great! Good focus, good details and nice subject matter. Keep it up!

 

 

Billy

I was thinking about that yellowish effect yesterday, but I sincerely didn't know how to fix it. That is one of the reasons why I was planning on starting with post-processing. I thought it was not possible on the camera itself. Thanks a lot!!