Pictures

You want a nice camera with a nice macro and a good lens that lets in lots of light. After your camera, lighting is the next most important aspect of good photography.

For lights, try and find 'Daylight' bulbs. Grow lamps for indoor plant cultivation should work.

I take all my photos on a tripod, with the self timer so that I can get out of the way and not shake the camera - as most of the shots I take are a few seconds long in exposure time. This is also because I use Manual mode and have a high f-stop (about f22 or f27) to maximise the depth of field.

If you use tungsten or fluorescent lighting, you will need to correct the colour balances on the photo. I do this on virtually every shot as I have a mixture of both lighting types. A good photo editing software package is thus also required. If you don't have one, they I would recommend Google Picasa. It is an essential tool for managing large numbers of digital photos on your computer and it has some nifty photo editing tools built in too.

Thankyou gentlemen that was most informative,when the bank balance has come out of xmas shock I shall be seeking some new equipment, plus its my 40th birthday in march so presents should be large and expensive, (my girlfriend reads my posts ) I will retain this info for when Im ready to make a purchase,thanks again

QUOTE (wolverton bloomer @ 28 Jan 2009, 16:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Andy
If you're using a digital camera thats got differant settings try experimenting. Ive found using a mini tripod and using the delayed shutter setting works in low light with out using the flash. Ive a samsung s830 compact and my wife has a canon digital slr that uses interchangable lenses. (Weve a wide angle which is grat for close ups and wide shots the standard 55mm lense, a telephoto which is great for distance weve also got a hood, and some filters but dont have any lamps) For the best results if you can take the model out side this really makes a differance, natural light and shadows add a real feeling of realism.
Regards
Steve

Heres why I cant take it outside.

QUOTE (Brian Considine @ 2 Feb 2009, 19:25) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Now if I'd known you were a camera expert I would have got you to show me how to use my digicam properly last time I saw you !

BTW - any good with a camcorder ?
Hi Brian,was your last post in reference to me? If so how do you know me?

QUOTE (Doug @ 2 Feb 2009, 20:24) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Please keep images down to a reasonable size.

In the guidelines we ask for images around 700 pixels wide

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25

This is because not everyone has a large screen and broadband connection. We have to think of the majority.

If you use a photo manager like Picasa, you can export 700 pixel wide photos to Photobucket or whatever service you are using (perhaps even the free Google Web Albums). It will be faster and easier to manage on the forums.
Sorry Doug I thought I got the hang of this,I'll look into it

QUOTE (frame69 @ 2 Feb 2009, 20:53) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Brian,was your last post in reference to me? If so how do you know me?

Hi - sorry for creating the confusion - intended for Steve (Wolverton Bloomer).