I'd like to note that when working with computer software we have to keep in mind that quality of screen is significant. You have to know that if you have poor quality screen or it is not calibrated well you will have different view on picture than it really is. For example you can have impression that there is more blue in picture and then you would mess with settings, as an effect other people will see messed up picture. Don't mess with color settings unless you know what you are doing! Great video by the way :)
Thank you so much, i recently discovered your channel and i am already improving my results across the board the time you put into the quality of your videos is greatly appreciated
Since macro lenses also work perfectly fine as "normal" lenses at their focal length (even rather well, considering they often need to be fairly sharp), you don't really need to hold back from using a macro lens even if you decide you want to shoot farther away from your miniature. Though, of course, if you're paying more for the macro aspect (which really just usually means it can take pictures at a 1:1 ratio of the subject to the sensor) and not using it, you might as well save yourself a buck. Thanks for the video.
Great idea to use a true macro lense, Thanks, btw, would it be possible to use the video mode connected to a monitor (Canon 80D) for a live magnified view as an aid to painting the models?
Came back to this one over three years after finding your channel. This is still top notch stuff! I didn't even remember the polite recommendation to paint more miniatures :D
By focus stacking do you mean taking multiple photos at different ranges of focus and splicing the photos together? I've never tried this if that's the case! Is there a software that recommends distances and does the splicing for you that you can recommend?
That's correct. Combination or Lightroom and photoshop does it perfectly. I use it to take pictures of full dioramas with tac sharp focus through the whole scene. Plenty of macro focus stacking tutorials on CZcams. You can also focus stack landscapes.. You can even focus stack in HDR thou it's a bit more work in post.
Two things: 1, Fantastic information. I'm going to try these on my photos later. 2: I do the EXACT same thing when I mess up during a recording. lol. I've had to do A TON of videos for school and my usable/trash takes are hilariously one sided. hahahha. Glad to see there's hope for me afterall!
I think you should make a second part to this Advanced video, about using DSLR and RAW image format. Where things like: White Balance, Exposure and quite few other things can be adjusted on a computer in either photoshop (or in a software that came with camera - for example Sony DSLRs come with a neat RAW editing software that can help changing these and other values (but photoshop can of course do all that too).
If shooting on a canon camera like the one in this video you can also check out a camera firmware addon called Magic Lantern. It unlocks a lot of features on the lower end dslrs... Like iso increments... 160 is actually cleaner than 100.
You forgot to include 'Perspective compression/distortion'. If you are taking miniatures up close you can get distortion of the physical dimensions of the subject. Better to use a zoom lens and move far back in order for the subject to appear life-size rather than a miniature. This is why pro photographers take full body portraits with lenses of at least 200mm focal length.
btw, im a subscriber and have watched a great number of your video's and for me, the setup you are using in this video, black background and particular lighting you are using is for me the clearest and most easy on the eyes and thus enjoyable format to watch you explaining the particular video's content of all your videos I have seen, having said that I do also like seeing your setup in the background....well take what you will from that comment lol, oh and I prefer this quiet ending rather than your screaming PAINT MORE MINI'S as I prefer to relax while watching these videos. As always great content, thanks. One more question, would it be possible to use the video mode connected to a monitor (Canon 80D) for a live magnified view as an aid to painting the models?
Thanks for talking about cropping it. I can't believe how many painters even on sights like putty and paint still don't crop their pictures and the mini only takes up less than 20% of the total picture and the rest is background. Everyone loves a good picture of a backdrop right? ;)
+SDub i'm a fan of longer videos that don't skip over important stuff. Your videos always seem a good length, but this was good. I'd love a painting tutorial from you this long! (Night Lords pls) Look forward to the next one!
Great video! However in the Intro video you mentioned showing us how to get a nice black background but i don't think I see this demonstrated here. Did I miss something? Keep up the good work!
Oops! I may have forgotten so I'll explain here: the trick is to have a black background and make sure that the light you're using to light your subject isn't spilling onto the background at all. This could mean pulling your miniature far away from your background, away from the light or using something to block the light from hitting your background. It's as simple as that, when you expose for the miniature, the background will be underexposed so much that it's pure black.
Another awesome vid!! So many questions answered. My biggest "I don't know what the hell I'm doing" issue is whether to use Macro Mode or even Super Macro Mode. I have Canon Powershot 5S IS and really am not much of a photog guy. Do you suggest using those modes at all, or just stick to manual? Thanks again!
Depends on a few things: 1. In manual mode, how can you get close enough to the miniature to get a good picture? 2. If not, does your camera take high resolution photos (like UHD or higher) to where you can zoom in in post? If no to both of these, then consider using the macro modes. The problem with macro modes is that they make your depth of field REALLY shallow (especially when up close!), similar to how a macro lens looks when you get in tight. Experiment. Throw on the macro mode and maybe step make a little and see if you get better photos or not when using these modes.
1. All depends on the video camera 2. Pretty sure optical zoom is better than digital zoom in every scenario. Note: Stepping back from your subject (like I suggest in the video) and zooming in with a lens is the same thing as being close to the miniature. Instead of that, take a wide shot and zoom in in post editing.
In my first photography video I show the same process with a cell phone. If you don't want to buy a nice camera or don't have the means, it's still possible to get good enough photos.
When mounting on tripod make sure to switch off all stabilization settings (camera body and lens). It's not only redundant but also affects the photo.
Dude, seriously, one of your best videos. You do a great job my brother.
Thank you very much :)
I'd like to note that when working with computer software we have to keep in mind that quality of screen is significant. You have to know that if you have poor quality screen or it is not calibrated well you will have different view on picture than it really is. For example you can have impression that there is more blue in picture and then you would mess with settings, as an effect other people will see messed up picture.
Don't mess with color settings unless you know what you are doing!
Great video by the way :)
Facebook it: hrefshare.com/d785
Tweet it: hrefshare.com/61fd7
Thank you so much, i recently discovered your channel and i am already improving my results across the board
the time you put into the quality of your videos is greatly appreciated
Since macro lenses also work perfectly fine as "normal" lenses at their focal length (even rather well, considering they often need to be fairly sharp), you don't really need to hold back from using a macro lens even if you decide you want to shoot farther away from your miniature. Though, of course, if you're paying more for the macro aspect (which really just usually means it can take pictures at a 1:1 ratio of the subject to the sensor) and not using it, you might as well save yourself a buck.
Thanks for the video.
Great idea to use a true macro lense, Thanks, btw, would it be possible to use the video mode connected to a monitor (Canon 80D) for a live magnified view as an aid to painting the models?
You did a great job of teaching a semester's worth of photography lessons in just 15 minutes. Kudos from a semi-professional photographer!
Came back to this one over three years after finding your channel. This is still top notch stuff! I didn't even remember the polite recommendation to paint more miniatures :D
Needed some photo help, so I came back to this... WOW how far you've come brother
An excellent informative and professional video! Well done and thank you!
Adrian Millard you're welcome!
Great Video! I love how you explain these concepts! you made things "Click" better than even some of the books I've been reading!
Great to hear, Eric!! Thank you for the compliments, really does warm my heart :)
wow, I will have to watch this over and over again
I hope it will be enjoyable every time! Thanks for watching!
You've missed the most advanced and powerful method for taking miniature photos. Focus stacking. But big respect for the quality of your videos.
By focus stacking do you mean taking multiple photos at different ranges of focus and splicing the photos together? I've never tried this if that's the case! Is there a software that recommends distances and does the splicing for you that you can recommend?
That's correct. Combination or Lightroom and photoshop does it perfectly. I use it to take pictures of full dioramas with tac sharp focus through the whole scene. Plenty of macro focus stacking tutorials on CZcams. You can also focus stack landscapes.. You can even focus stack in HDR thou it's a bit more work in post.
www.flickr.com/gp/143068195@N08/q86945 Here is an example
Thanks for the help! I'll definitely look into it!
Great info! Thanks for it! Keep up the great work! And as I always say ... Have a better day!
Great video !!! Just started with miniature photograpy and this is great way to start. Thx for The video.
Two things: 1, Fantastic information. I'm going to try these on my photos later.
2: I do the EXACT same thing when I mess up during a recording. lol. I've had to do A TON of videos for school and my usable/trash takes are hilariously one sided. hahahha. Glad to see there's hope for me afterall!
Very nice summary
Whooooaaaw great tutorial. I've just bought a DSLR, now I know where to start!
Werner Kellens heck yes!
I think you should make a second part to this Advanced video, about using DSLR and RAW image format. Where things like: White Balance, Exposure and quite few other things can be adjusted on a computer in either photoshop (or in a software that came with camera - for example Sony DSLRs come with a neat RAW editing software that can help changing these and other values (but photoshop can of course do all that too).
If shooting on a canon camera like the one in this video you can also check out a camera firmware addon called Magic Lantern. It unlocks a lot of features on the lower end dslrs... Like iso increments... 160 is actually cleaner than 100.
Extremely helpful and well done
Great video!
Kujo Painting thanks kujo!
Dude.. quality stuff right here!!!
yeaaaaaaahhhhhhaaaa! thanks, mate :)
6:48 - the face made while trying to explain peasants how digital camera works xD
You forgot to include 'Perspective compression/distortion'. If you are taking miniatures up close you can get distortion of the physical dimensions of the subject. Better to use a zoom lens and move far back in order for the subject to appear life-size rather than a miniature. This is why pro photographers take full body portraits with lenses of at least 200mm focal length.
btw, im a subscriber and have watched a great number of your video's and for me, the setup you are using in this video, black background and particular lighting you are using is for me the clearest and most easy on the eyes and thus enjoyable format to watch you explaining the particular video's content of all your videos I have seen, having said that I do also like seeing your setup in the background....well take what you will from that comment lol, oh and I prefer this quiet ending rather than your screaming PAINT MORE MINI'S as I prefer to relax while watching these videos. As always great content, thanks. One more question, would it be possible to use the video mode connected to a monitor (Canon 80D) for a live magnified view as an aid to painting the models?
Ha! I've just discovered your vids, and the new stuff is best! Way more character!
Great job.
Great video buddy, thanks.
Thanks - perfect info. Does the overhead light cause glare or how do you get rid of glare ?
Congrats, Dude. Thank you very much!!!
No problems! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the tips, great vid.
Thanks for talking about cropping it. I can't believe how many painters even on sights like putty and paint still don't crop their pictures and the mini only takes up less than 20% of the total picture and the rest is background. Everyone loves a good picture of a backdrop right? ;)
Yes, that's why I browse P&P anyways!
Lens choice miniature composite
nice info, many thanks.
Does this lesson apply to taking video? I need to brighten up my shots.
Oh my god a 17 min SDub????? I've died and gone to heaven.
Hahahahahaha.
+SDub i'm a fan of longer videos that don't skip over important stuff. Your videos always seem a good length, but this was good. I'd love a painting tutorial from you this long! (Night Lords pls) Look forward to the next one!
Jeff Phillips Speaking of Nigh Lords, I have Konrad Curze kickin' around ...
+SDub 30 min Konrad Curze painting tutorial from SDub confirmed!
Do you know where I can find mini animal skulls like the one on the community highlight's base?
Is there a way to get BOTH the foreground AND background in focus at the same time?
yes, with focus stacking: czcams.com/video/dWnHTBTwzS0/video.html
Great video, do you use that canon for your videos?
Great video! However in the Intro video you mentioned showing us how to get a nice black background but i don't think I see this demonstrated here. Did I miss something? Keep up the good work!
Oops! I may have forgotten so I'll explain here: the trick is to have a black background and make sure that the light you're using to light your subject isn't spilling onto the background at all. This could mean pulling your miniature far away from your background, away from the light or using something to block the light from hitting your background. It's as simple as that, when you expose for the miniature, the background will be underexposed so much that it's pure black.
Ok thanks, I'll try that! And should i use a piece of cloth for example as cloth is less reflective than let's say paper?
Paper can work out, experiment and try it out!
Another awesome vid!!
So many questions answered.
My biggest "I don't know what the hell I'm doing" issue is whether to use Macro Mode or even Super Macro Mode. I have Canon Powershot 5S IS and really am not much of a photog guy. Do you suggest using those modes at all, or just stick to manual?
Thanks again!
Depends on a few things:
1. In manual mode, how can you get close enough to the miniature to get a good picture?
2. If not, does your camera take high resolution photos (like UHD or higher) to where you can zoom in in post?
If no to both of these, then consider using the macro modes.
The problem with macro modes is that they make your depth of field REALLY shallow (especially when up close!), similar to how a macro lens looks when you get in tight. Experiment. Throw on the macro mode and maybe step make a little and see if you get better photos or not when using these modes.
I'll try that! Thanks!
I was expecting a few tips for the guy that sended in the foto. So we all can see improvement for the nrxt time he sends in a photo!
Just 2 questions good sir. ¿ How about using a videocamera? ¿What's better: optical zoom or digital zoom?
1. All depends on the video camera
2. Pretty sure optical zoom is better than digital zoom in every scenario.
Note: Stepping back from your subject (like I suggest in the video) and zooming in with a lens is the same thing as being close to the miniature. Instead of that, take a wide shot and zoom in in post editing.
Thanks a ton for the help :D
mscandlex no problem!!
Now I just need a camera to get started :(
People rich...
In my first photography video I show the same process with a cell phone. If you don't want to buy a nice camera or don't have the means, it's still possible to get good enough photos.