Table top photography

[CatherineA]

I have an idea for a photograph and I wonder whether anyone has tried something similar and, if so, whether they have any suggestions to share. I want to set up two scenes with miniature models that are a few cm in height. Seen together they will tell a story but because the miniatures are of such different heights I will have to take two photos - the left side and the right side - and make a collage of the two.

I have been reading about table top photography and although I haven’t seen it used for my purpose I wondered whether an inexpensive kit could provide the lighting I need. Does this sound like a good approach?

[Shadowman]

Hi Catherine,

Have you considered positioning the models on top of a flashlight lit from below, then use natural light for the overall shot? You could diffuse the flashlight with various filters.

[CatherineA]

Thanks for the suggestion John. I can picture that for individual figures but what is in my mind is to have one side showing the inside of a living room and the other side a little outdoor scene. I’m flexible but I’m thinking a side would be about 12”x12”. Ive just read of a kit that says that those would in fact be the max. dimensions to put inside its box. The pictures I’ve seen are of single objects so I don’t know how well it would work for a scene that is suppose to represent be the length of a room or front yard. Maybe it is all a matter of scale though and as long as my figures are small enough it could work.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Catherine,

Two questions;

a) What is the background behind the small figures going to be and how far behind the figures will it be?

b) Have you considered or experimented with natural light?

[CatherineA]

Hi Grahame,

1) The small figures are going to be placed in a mock-up front yard. There will be a walkway and a tree, and it will just be a sky behind that. I was thinking it would be a picture of a sky that I would use so I could have some small clouds.

I am not yet sure how far to place the background, I will have to experiment. My smaller figure is 2 3/4” in height. The figures on the other side are 9” tall. I would be happy to have the smaller one seem even half the height of the other figures, I just don’t want this much difference.

2) I hadn’t even considered natural light because so far I haven’t been able to get good results with my camera indoors. However I just went to my sunniest part of the home and I do think it could work in this case, especially since I can use as slow of a shutter speed as I want. Thanks!

[Stagecoach]

Thanks for the further info Catherine,

1) The small figures are going to be placed in a mock-up front yard. There will be a walkway and a tree, and it will just be a sky behind that. I was thinking it would be a picture of a sky that I would use so I could have some small clouds.

I am not yet sure how far to place the background, I will have to experiment. My smaller figure is 2 3/4” in height. The figures on the other side are 9” tall. I would be happy to have the smaller one seem even half the height of the other figures, I just don’t want this much difference.

I agree some experimentation is going to be needed here regarding camera distance from subject and background positioning to ensure correct perspective (ratio) between figures and background whilst also achieving the DOF required

2) I hadn’t even considered natural light because so far I haven’t been able to get good results with my camera indoors. However I just went to my sunniest part of the home and I do think it could work in this case, especially since I can use as slow of a shutter speed as I want. Thanks!

I think you will be surprised what you can achieve with long exposures on a tripod without bright light. The more diffused the light the less you will need to worry about shadows and pieces of white A4 copy paper strategically placed make great reflectors.

[CatherineA]

That’s super Grahame, thanks again! And good to know the white paper tip.

Now I am set up for a little project for some of colder winter days here. I don’t always get much outside photography done on those days.

[Manfred M]

Now I am set up for a little project for some of colder winter days here. I don’t always get much outside photography done on those days.

Actually, it's a great time of year for stunning photography around town. With the extremely cold temperatures, the air is extremely clear. Birds rely on feeding stations for food and it's easy to track wildlife in fresh fallen snow. As I will be here all winter, for the first time in three winters, I plan on doing a lot of shooting.

[CatherineA]

Actually, it's a great time of year for stunning photography around town. With the extremely cold temperatures, the air is extremely clear. Birds rely on feeding stations for food and it's easy to track wildlife in fresh fallen snow. As I will be here all winter, for the first time in three winters, I plan on doing a lot of shooting.

What do you do about your fingers? Mine have hurt so much already a few times this winter. I know that there have been threads on taking care of your camera in winter so I will look them up.

[Manfred M]

What do you do about your fingers? Mine have hurt so much already a few times this winter. I know that there have been threads on taking care of your camera in winter so I will look them up.

I wear mittens and have a pair of very light gloves inside them for very cold days. On other days, I can do most of my camera setup wearing normal gloves. It does take a bit of practice, but I have a large and bulky full-frame camera and it is easier to use in winter outdoor work than a smaller camera body.

My biggest problem is usually that I fog up my glasses quite badly while looking through the camera viewfinder to frame the shot.

[DanK]

What do you do about your fingers? Mine have hurt so much already a few times this winter. I know that there have been threads on taking care of your camera in winter so I will look them up.

I don't find a complete solution, but here are some steps you can consider:

1. Take two pairs of gloves. The first is for warmth, not for fine motor control. The second is what you will use when shooting. For the latter, I have a very thin pair of Head gloves with high-friction rubber dots on the fingers, but anything with thin fingers and a decent grip (you don't want to drop your camera) will do.

2. Use a coat with hand-warmer pockets.

3. You can buy handwarming packets in various places, including some hardware stores. Open one and keep it in a hand-warming pocket. I find this provides more warmth than my thicker gloves.

I often take off my gloves entirely for a very short time to get things set up if it is not too cold.

[rpcrowe]

SOLUTION: Move to California... You can keep your fingers quite toasty with our prevalent wildfires as a heat source

[mknittle]

These was taken on a 20X15 inch TV tray on black construction paper.The lights were home depot utility lights.

[mknittle]

I am not missing California's two season year Wet and fire.

[CatherineA]

Thank you very much Manfred and Dan. I have a pair of thick mittens that will be good for the outer layer - I just drop them in the snow when I shoot which of course can make them a little snowy inside. And I don't have a good pair of inner gloves but that can be next on my list of purchases. I will look into Head gloves to get started.

[CatherineA]

Hi Richard, I have been so sorry to read and see the grief that the Thomas Fire has caused. I read that there was a beak in the winds yesterday and I hope that brings relief!

[CatherineA]

These was taken on a 20X15 inch TV tray on black construction paper.The lights were home depot utility lights.



Thanks for posting these Mark. The lighting is perfect. How did you choose the lights given the overwhelming selection?

[FootLoose]

You certainly don't need to go to a lot of expense to get into table top photography. There are plenty of videos on youtube demonstrating other people's solutions. I found this one pretty simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb3sSJTF5Og

[CatherineA]

You certainly don't need to go to a lot of expense to get into table top photography. There are plenty of videos on youtube demonstrating other people's solutions. I found this one pretty simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb3sSJTF5Og

Thank you Greg, that’s a great little video! I’m not going to buy a kit after all (and I’ll buy myself some gloves for winter shooting with what I save and there might be money left over besides.)