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During and after the prop building process, you may want to take pictures to share with your friends, post online or to keep as reference. Here are a few tips that may help you take great photos. |
| Check your lighting. |
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Check your lighting when indoors. Most people don't have a professional lighting set up, so use a higher speed film, i.e. 200 or 400. If you can use a flash when taking pictures indoors. |
| Check your background. |
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Check your backgrounds. When you're indoors, don't photograph characters with TVs, furniture, windows etc. in the background. Darth Vader standing in front of a gingham curtain in your living room doesn't have the same effect as Darth Vader against a plain background. Also be aware of background items that might appear to be growing out of he top of your characters head or some other part of their body. Whether you're outside or in try and use a neutral background. Remember, the focus is on the subject being photographed and nothing else. |
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Bad Background |
| Look for the sun. |
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When outdoors, be aware of the sun. Look through the viewfinder and analyze shadows etc. Notice how the sun falls on the costume. Are your subjects squinting or does the helmet or mask have funny shadows? Move your subjects in relationship to the sun to get the best lighting. |
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Bad
Lighting
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| Watch that glare! |
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When photographing shiny objects, like metal, try a lower speed film (400 or even 200). Keep in mind, you can't take a straight on photo, as the flash will be reflected right back into the camera. To help minimize flash back, tilt your camera at a 45 degree angle. This way the flash will bounce off the object and away from the camera. Also be cautious around display cases and windows. Glass can give you a nasty glare! Keep your camera tilted here as well. |
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Bad
Glare
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| Don't crop the photo! |
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How many times have you taken a picture, only to realize (after waiting to have the prints developed) that you left off the subject's arm, head or whatever? You should know how the reticle system in your camera works. The reticles are the little lines you see when you look through the camera. Those lines tell you where the edges of the photograph will be. These lines may or may not encompass the entire viewing area |
| Think!! |
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Finally, THINK before you take the picture. Visualize the effect you're going for and look through the camera as you would look at the finished photo. You will become a much better photographer! |
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Contributors: Art Imerito, Jason Thompson |
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