Buying a camera for minis+hard to shoot things from life

[Furyhound]

Hi guys,

1) camera for minis - A long long time ago, I asked for advice on buying a new camera. Several people helped, in the end I got
a Panasonic DMC FZ30 with AF Macro and 12X opti zoom.
I use it till this day.

I'm not sure if its good enough for minis or that I know how to use it good enough.
Cause I have this painful Camera\CMON issue. I'm considered a fairly good painter, everyone miniaturist or not, that I've known, thinks I have talent in this to some extent, and I have eleven years of painting experience. I've come across only one person who thought my mini shouldn't have won some local competition, which it did, and I don't think he thought it was bad either. hell, even Eavy metal, even if they were just being nice seemed a little impressed when I showed them my entry (a little of course, not very)

But once I take pics of my minis..they..they look horrible!! grotesque and whatnot! I upload them here and people give me medium-low to low grades.
I think to myself, maybe that's how I am, but, I look again at the mini and it looks alright!
Here are not alright examples *edit, I changed the pics after reading the article*:
http://coolminiornot.com/261755
http://coolminiornot.com/261756
http://coolminiornot.com/261754


So I guess I established my point, maybe a bit too much, I'm just very upset.

2) Another issue, ***that's why I opened the thread***, cause there are many camera threads here, is that I want the same mini camera, to be able to do a lot of stuff:
-I go to live shows, sometimes its dark, the band moves a lot, and its impossible to get a good shot without flash.
-I like taking pictures abroad with many details, especially of small animals, mushrooms, leaves. The camera practically refuses to focus on them even- from point blank\ w flash\macro\very good lighting. nothing helps
Its exremely sensitive to movement, even with adjusting the shutter...

So I was wondering if there is a wonderous camera that could do all that! I'm aware it might be expensive...
and if there is something that I'm doing horribly wrong

thanks in advance

 

[Dragonsreach]

Therer are and have been a lot of threads about photos and what is the best way to get decent picture,......But I'd suggest that what may help you out is one of the articles on here.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/60
It's a great starting point as what I see from your pictures is a lack of lighting control.
Give it a go and then show us the results.

 

[PegaZus]

First thing that jumps out at me on the photos is that there are very harsh shadows, especially in the first two pictures. And I'm not talking about the mini itself, but the shadows on the walls and floor. I believe a diffuser is called for. I've got a cheap light tent, but you could simply hold some paper in front of the lights.

The second thing would be to try to not have a seam in the background go straight down the middle of the mini. The first two minis have that, very prominent in the second mini. It looks like two canvases put together at a corner. Might be worth the time to print out a gradient backdrop, or find a cloth to drape there.

The third mini is rather poorly lit, and it is hard to see the face. I can't really make out any details on the face, nor the chest area. Brings the photo quality down a lot.

Anyway, there's some low hanging fruit. Once you get to there, I'm in the same boat on quality.

 

[SaintHax]

The last example pic of the wizard has poor light control. That article above is excellent.

As for your camera, you really need to include a budget. I (and a lot of photographers) feel that on camera flash for band events is garbage-- they are too small, and underpowered. Quantum has some nice ones, but they are over a grand each for the good stuff. At that price you can get some nice strobes and set up a head of time with permission from the event cordinator and get better pictures.

For low light, you need a SLR camera. Nikon and Canon are currently hard to beat for dSLR's that handle low light well. A lens swap can turn your band event camera into a macro camera. Almost all major dSLR cameras come with shake reduction-- either in the lens, or at the sensor.

 

[Valmorgul]

Here's what I use:
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Concepts-Ps-101-Portable-Lighting/dp/B000FBF400/ref=pd_cp_p_2_img
Also I use a full size tripod and set the camera level with the subject. I always use the shutter timer to avoid any jarring of the camera. The studio kit comes with two great lamps (lamps get very hot) and the built-in diffusers make for really soft light. There is a reversible drape background in mine blue/gray. I just mover the lamps around until I get optimal lighting and click away with a macro lens. The kit is very affordable.