Lighting for mini photography

Michael1968 · Post by **Michael1968** » Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:23 am

When I acquired my first Mynx, whom you all know as Nissa, the lighting used for those pictures consisted just room lighting with the flash of the camera when necessary. A time later I remembered my Phillips 80 watt CFL light set buried in the spare room/pantry and began using that. It projects an excellent amount of light and it made a great difference but it caused problems on its own casting shadow onto one side of the characters. No good. A few days ago I finally went out and bought a little LED light made for photography and a cheap little stand. Brand name of the LED is Glanz. Very entry level light but I wanted to improve the pics after getting my Hobbits. The difference has been remarkable. Nevertheless I want to improve even more but that will have to wait until I acquire a few more characters for my home made productions. For now I am reasonably satisfied with what I have.

If anyone wants to share their ideas and or lighting recommendations I would be most grateful and I am sure it would be of interest to others.

This is the Glanz LED lamp that I use for slightly off axis left side lighting. It runs on lithium rechargeable battery (although it can run on mains with an optional power adapter. It has a dimmer/brightness dial but I have been using it on 100% always.

: SDC15158.JPG (2.55 MiB) Viewed 427 times

: SDC15157.JPG (2.62 MiB) Viewed 427 times

: SDC15159.JPG (2.61 MiB) Viewed 427 times

and here is the Phillips 80Wat CFL with the reflector I bought for it used for slightly off axis right side lighting and runs on mains power.

: SDC15160.JPG (2.59 MiB) Viewed 427 times

Cheeers and have a DOLL DAY

scooter_ca · Post by **scooter_ca** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:44 am

I created a low tec solution for lightening shadows on the opposite side of the flash.
I built a reflector with a square of cardboard covered with tinfoil.
To be versatile, I covered one side with the shinny foil out and the other with the dull side.
Clip two bull dog clips to the bottom to make a stand.

Haven't had a chance to experiment with it yet.

Thanks,
scooter

Dees luver · Post by **Dees luver** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:04 am

Imo the led’s have too much glare for small dolls which tend to be more shiny,
I still use my small soft box for Jojo, I use two or three of these with a speed flash for the big girls but the one small one works great for Jojo or Moe alone, these are only about $60 bucks on Amazon

: 9F564696-379E-46C0-A131-4364CF8C78B9.jpeg (1.02 MiB) Viewed 398 times

And this is what it can do with Jojo by itself

Tighes · Post by **Tighes** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:06 am

For my miniatures photography, I use a 120cm deep parabolic softbox and a Godox AD200 studio light. The smaller the light, the more shadowing you will get, so with the larger light this will eliminate any shadows behind the doll. My softbox is double diffused so the light is really even and spread. It’s the same setup that I use on my bigger dolls photoshoots and works perfectly on the mini’s. I use a 1/8-1/16th power on the big dolls and 1/32-1/64th power on the minis.

I’ve have all the gear in my studio, so it’s easy for me to get the look that I want. The light shown would work really well lit through a cheap photography umbrella or anything that can dull down the sharpness of a small light.

Hope this helps.

Dees luver · Post by **Dees luver** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:16 am

I can get out the big guns if I need but I haven’t found it necessary for the little gals

: 6119D497-2DA8-4B8B-855A-08354D7747C8.jpeg (1.85 MiB) Viewed 393 times

scooter_ca · Post by **scooter_ca** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:46 pm

Yikes. Those are some heavy duty soft boxes.
You guys take some amazing pictures and are a great inspiration.

I have many items like that in my Amazon wish list but for now I like to experiment with what I have on hand.
Here is an interesting way of removing shadows that requires only one removable flash.

One flash device, 2 flashes.
I mount the camera on my tripod and set up the picture I want to take.
I set the exposure time to 4 seconds.
I then switch off the light.
It does not need to be "darkroom" dark, but eliminate all strong sources of light ( or film in the evening).

With the flash in one hand, I snap the picture.
In the 4 seconds that the shutter is open I manually trigger the flash from one angle and then trigger it again from another angle.
By experimenting with 2 (or more) flashes per picture, you can eliminate all shadows, plus get some interesting results.

Thanks,
scooter

38UCI · Post by **38UCI** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:15 pm

Lighting on the cheap.
The main source is a desk lamp with an led bulb. I have used old drum heads to hold open a Goodwill bag making a soft lightbox. The other source are the rectangle led pads. Sometimes I will difuse those with Goodwill bags or clear velum. There are three spotlights if needed. The white strip of leds get balled up in coloured glass or run along the back of the stage. The battery operated leds are fill in light that doesn't overpower the lens. The rest is natural light, which is why my photos very sometimes. I don't have the money for expensive equipment and am in awe of it's results in the hands of a professional.