Model close ups

mininuts · 21st January 2016, 19:52

No, not that sort of model George! Got a couple of new Mini models through the post today so, thought I'd have a play around with the camera.
I used to take model shots by simply using the macro on my compact but, read on a model forum about zooming in to get a full frame shot. I set the DSLR up on its tripod with a 300mm lens and started adjusting the apature with each shot until I got some reasonable results. To be honest, I think the 300mm lens was a bit over the top and I'll have a go with a smaller lens next time.
Anyway here's some of the best shots, bear in mind that I am a complete novice

mininuts · 21st January 2016, 20:12

"I am not a number, I am a free man"

Another shot, this time with my 'Prisoner' Lotus 7

clf · 21st January 2016, 20:23

I like those shots, I do not think the 300mm lens is over the top, which lens is it? Is it a fixed 300mm? or a zoom? If it is a zoom, try at between 150 and 200mm. The reason for this, is a telephoto can compress a shot, and I think the first image, the sides of the white mini, have been flattened by this effect. I may be wrong on that, but to me the sides look flatter and taller than they appear to be in the other shots. Be careful with the smaller lens, it may give the opposite effect and squash the images.

tip if you havent already done this, is to use the timer facility, to counter any shake you may have. In these shots though there doesnt appear to be any. Even though using the tripod, the movement of pressing the shutter button can cause movement. If there is a mirror lock up function, activate that too. (mirror lock up along with a remote release, were my two favourite functions and accessories of my cameras).

another tip, switch off one of your light sources (I am guessing an overhead incandescent bulb?). In a couple of the shots there are two shadows. The lighting to me, is spot on, except for that. In a street situation, there would only be one shadow from the sun (or sky). If you can, set your lighting up to emulate that

mininuts · 21st January 2016, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by clf

I like those shots, I do not think the 300mm lens is over the top, which lens is it? Is it a fixed 300mm? or a zoom? If it is a zoom, try at between 150 and 200mm. The reason for this, is a telephoto can compress a shot, and I think the first image, the sides of the white mini, have been flattened by this effect. I may be wrong on that, but to me the sides look flatter and taller than they appear to be in the other shots. Be careful with the smaller lens, it may give the opposite effect and squash the images.

tip if you havent already done this, is to use the timer facility, to counter any shake you may have. In these shots though there doesnt appear to be any. Even though using the tripod, the movement of pressing the shutter button can cause movement. If there is a mirror lock up function, activate that too. (mirror lock up along with a remote release, were my two favourite functions and accessories of my cameras).

another tip, switch off one of your light sources (I am guessing an overhead incandescent bulb?). In a couple of the shots there are two shadows. The lighting to me, is spot on, except for that. In a street situation, there would only be one shadow from the sun (or sky). If you can, set your lighting up to emulate that

Thanks for that, some good tips there

It's a zoom lens and I used a remote shutter release. I'll have a play between 150 and 200mm when I get chance. Never gave the lighting a thought, see what you mean about the shadows though.

Dallas · 21st January 2016, 20:58

Very impressive Paul.

Canonite · 25th January 2016, 21:56

Tilt shift techniques are always fun to play with for models

Jim Jamieson · 27th January 2016, 00:05

Some nice shots there, I must try to take some of my models.

I have five Rolls Royce & a Bentley from Franklin Mint, the Danbury Mint 007 Aston Martin and the Maesto Jaguar XJ 220 the large scale one and just realised I have a lot of BL models sitting in the boot of my SD1 Vitesse which I used for my rear shelf display at classic car shows.

I like to have a model of the cars I own and just a couple of weeks back I managed to get a Jaguar XF in the same colour as mine.

coolcat · 27th January 2016, 07:00

Some great model shots there Paul

I've got a collection of 1/18th F1 models which I've never really thought about photographing. After seeing your great shots I may well give it a go

uk_dave&gill · 27th January 2016, 14:35

Photographing model cars against a background, reminded me of this, where the bloke uses models against real-world backgrounds to create a fictional town!

mininuts · 30th January 2016, 10:40

Just added this Schuco 75 to my collection. It's actually Starlight but, the lighting makes it look sort of Moonstone

This 6R4 arrived yesterday too

21st January 2016, 19:52	#1
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	Model close ups No, not that sort of model George! Got a couple of new Mini models through the post today so, thought I'd have a play around with the camera. I used to take model shots by simply using the macro on my compact but, read on a model forum about zooming in to get a full frame shot. I set the DSLR up on its tripod with a 300mm lens and started adjusting the apature with each shot until I got some reasonable results. To be honest, I think the 300mm lens was a bit over the top and I'll have a go with a smaller lens next time. Anyway here's some of the best shots, bear in mind that I am a complete novice __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S

21st January 2016, 20:12	#2
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	"I am not a number, I am a free man" Another shot, this time with my 'Prisoner' Lotus 7 __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S

21st January 2016, 20:23	#3
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	I like those shots, I do not think the 300mm lens is over the top, which lens is it? Is it a fixed 300mm? or a zoom? If it is a zoom, try at between 150 and 200mm. The reason for this, is a telephoto can compress a shot, and I think the first image, the sides of the white mini, have been flattened by this effect. I may be wrong on that, but to me the sides look flatter and taller than they appear to be in the other shots. Be careful with the smaller lens, it may give the opposite effect and squash the images. tip if you havent already done this, is to use the timer facility, to counter any shake you may have. In these shots though there doesnt appear to be any. Even though using the tripod, the movement of pressing the shutter button can cause movement. If there is a mirror lock up function, activate that too. (mirror lock up along with a remote release, were my two favourite functions and accessories of my cameras). another tip, switch off one of your light sources (I am guessing an overhead incandescent bulb?). In a couple of the shots there are two shadows. The lighting to me, is spot on, except for that. In a street situation, there would only be one shadow from the sun (or sky). If you can, set your lighting up to emulate that __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!

27th January 2016, 07:00	#8
coolcat This is my second home Audi Q3 TDI S-Line Quattro Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clacton On Sea/On the boat somewhere Posts: 51,158 Thanks: 9,890 Thanked 12,235 Times in 8,232 Posts	Some great model shots there Paul I've got a collection of 1/18th F1 models which I've never really thought about photographing. After seeing your great shots I may well give it a go __________________ Jeff.

27th January 2016, 14:35	#9
uk_dave&gill This is my second home .. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Town Posts: 4,166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 189 Times in 105 Posts	Photographing model cars against a background, reminded me of this, where the bloke uses models against real-world backgrounds to create a fictional town! __________________ Dave

21st January 2016, 20:58	#5
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	Very impressive Paul.

25th January 2016, 21:56	#6
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	Tilt shift techniques are always fun to play with for models

27th January 2016, 00:05	#7
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	Some nice shots there, I must try to take some of my models. I have five Rolls Royce & a Bentley from Franklin Mint, the Danbury Mint 007 Aston Martin and the Maesto Jaguar XJ 220 the large scale one and just realised I have a lot of BL models sitting in the boot of my SD1 Vitesse which I used for my rear shelf display at classic car shows. I like to have a model of the cars I own and just a couple of weeks back I managed to get a Jaguar XF in the same colour as mine.

30th January 2016, 10:40	#10
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	Starlight 75 Just added this Schuco 75 to my collection. It's actually Starlight but, the lighting makes it look sort of Moonstone This 6R4 arrived yesterday too __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S