How to take great pictures of your armor.

[iconoclasta_88]

So...

I have been in the hobby for 3 1/5 years now. In that time, I have always dreamed of that GREAT picture of myself in armor. But so far, very few of them look cool. I have seen many many pictures on the net and the forums of troopers in many different ways, positions, angles and styles. But I must say that very few of them look really cool.

For me it is about many things:

-Bucket appearing proportional to the rest of the body

-Legs not appearing short or thin

-Neck actually long enough to bring the bucket a bit apart from the shoulders

-Position

-Detail and resolution

-Lighting

-General shape of armor not deformed by angle and lense

And so on...

I know it has also to do with heigh and size of the person, but Im thinking beyond that. No only in shape, but in camera variables.

Here are a few examples of pictures I consider to be taken in a great way, proportion, position, angle, lense, etc...

A trick I learned here on the forum that is very useful for taking pictures of the bucket is steping a couple of meters back and then zoom in over the bucket. This makes it look better than just taking the picture as it is.

Another trick I learned is taking the pictures from a lower angle. At the hight of the waist or even lower. But it not always comes out that great.

And finally, I guess that if the picture is taken from farder, the armor will look with a better proportion...

But, what are your tricks or techniques for having great pictures taken???

Saludos.

[MiDri]

ACTION SHOTS!

[Rolf]

Copy that Juan.

I once show a few pictures, here on the mepd.

Where i just took a picture of a helmet close up, it look too round and very bad.

I then took a picture a few meters back, and then cut the pics.

Now the pics show, how the helmet look in real life.

I normal use iphoto, to cut, chance tones/light/dark, make then sharper etc...

Heres one

Before:

After:

[TKDUEUNO]

You already mentioned two key elements: keep the camera at waist height or slightly below, far away and zoomed in.

That's how the TKs were photographed in the movies, so it gives better results.

And body posture makes a difference: chest out, shoulders up, chin down.

[Caomhanach]

Will keep these in mind for later... Thanks!!!!

[Gordonator]

Taking the shots outdoor is the best. Indoor lightning at home can never beat good old sunshine. Unless it's studio shoot with proper lightning equipment.

I don't like shots shot with flash as well. Unless it's a proper external flash. Flash often give ghastly results. Subject too bright, especially since our armour is kinda reflective and background all dark.

Choosing a simple background helps too.

[SandySith]

I am lucky that a garrison member is a professional photographer so our picture normally turn out top-notch...some of the tips he has always made is head down at a slight angle, body turned at a 25-45 degree angle, keep elbows and knees slightly bent, front foot pointed towards camera. Those are only the ones I can remember...mainly cause those are the ones I forget when posing.

[firebladejedi]

First things first, you need a good subject matter ... A good camera and outside shots are best for lighting. And try a few different angles and poses to see what turns out best.