Macro Flash Photography

Discussion in 'Modelling' started by LesCM19, Jun 26, 2010.

  1. LesCM19

    LesCM19 "...lets rock!"

    The ancient & secondhand (free!) digital compact I often use is OK for tabletop games blasted by angle-poise lighting a foot away (or 305mm in European money) from the subject but unfortunately demonstrates an effect of on-camera flash by completely obliterating all shadow and form in one thermonuclear death ray.
    It was the same with a posh Nikon that I borrowed for Salute unless there was a flash mode I didn't know about.
    I tried putting a bit of tissue paper over the flash as a diffuser but the pics came out underexposed.
    Any advice on cameras or have you got any handy tips?
     
  2. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

    Have you considered using off camera lights? You can soften the lights by reflecting them off white paperboard. A roll of white paper works well as a background as well.

    If you want to use the on-camera flash, a gossamer scarf can soften it as well.
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    What's the make/model camera you're using Les?

    Has it got a Macro setting? (Little flower button - And just how macro are you trying to go? )
    If it's a purely static board you want to photograph; have you tried switching the flash off - propping the camera somewhere with the image framed - and then using the self-timer so it can shoot without any vibration.
    If you want to do a lot of close-up wargame photography, a really cheap mini-tripod may be your friend (assuming the camera has a tripod thread).

    eg -I use loads of these to prop old cameras on, they're only £2, and aren't exactly super-kit, but their bendy nature means they can be just the job for detailed close-up stuff:
    7dayshop.com - Online Store

    Hmm, can't link direct to the product, just pop the code WT020 in the search box and it'll take you to the 'Bendy Wirepod' I'm referring to.
     
  4. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

  5. blacksnake

    blacksnake As old as I feel.

    Compacts are "point & click" cameras, with either not enough, or too many settings to deal with. On the 'selector' wheel that offers the options of... portrait, landscape, night time, etc... you should find the option of 'use available light'... The flash is disabled, but the usual blurred low light image is compensated for by the ISO setting which is a useful setting for shots outside the range of the flash, and also for when up-close flash photography 'blinds' the image. Other flash options include... 'front' and 'back' fill. Both (as Adam rightly says) require a tripod and/or timer. Any low light or flash photography is a "Black Art!" especially with a compact... So, unfortunately it's trial and error... what works for one, wont necessarily work for another. Invest in a mid-range or DSLR camera. They are usually more straight forward to use.
     
  6. LesCM19

    LesCM19 "...lets rock!"

    Thanks for all the suggestions.
    Its a Canon Powershot A400, has a close up mode down to about 2.5", only 3.2MP however but seems to do the job.
    Here's the Heath Robinson arrangement I made while I wait for the mini-tripod to arrive (a snip at £2 off ebay post free, thanks VP):
    flash diffuser.jpg
    Small open topped paper box lined with foil directs flash upwards & stops light passing straight thru'. Odd-shaped paper wing creates diffused source above & to the left of lens. Nothing blocking exposure sensor etc. Also found setting the ISO to 50 reduced glare as well.
    And here's a shot of a mortar squad with...I think the trucks are Guy Ants, all H&R:
    tests flash diffuser 037.jpg
    This is probably as close as I dare go with some of my older paintjobs!
    :D
     
  7. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    Les, how did your camera photograph itself?
     
  8. m kenny

    m kenny Senior Member

    One of the advantages of digital is you can take an 'available light' photo and then use one of the fancy settings to get rid of the colour cast.
    For my pains I find that a cheap old manual SLR fitted with a ring-flash and a macro lens just can nor be beaten.


    All Airfix 25mm.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  9. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

    I use an Eye-Fi card to send digital pix straight to my computer. Then I can check to make sure I got the image I want.
     
  10. LesCM19

    LesCM19 "...lets rock!"

    Les, how did your camera photograph itself?
    Trade secret Miguel, sorry*

    One of the advantages of digital is you can take an 'available light' photo and then use one of the fancy settings to get rid of the colour cast.
    I use this: Photoscape. Its free and has lots of tweakables that I don't understand but all the ones I know I need (10 lighten, darken, colour saturation and contrast levels, remove colour cast & manual CMY/RGB settings, cropping, red eye etc etc).

    *Oh alright, I used my mobile, but only after trying to get the angle right with mirrors!
     

Share This Page