I've been practicing lately how to take quality pictures of my items for the page or stock use on my pc. I haven't had much luck with inside light, correcting the color cast it creates, or being able to create a perfectly white photography environment for taking pictures. The best I can do is an of white table cloth, or some large white plotter paper I make into sheets. However, I get very mixed results. The purpose of this thread is to help share and spread info on how to take perfect console and game pictures. Does anyone here has more than the "single camera class" experience level like myself? Consoles I can manage glare and reflections, but need tips on lighting a detailed object, and what to do for a nice background. I assume there's a photographers tarp of some kind.
Ummm.... I would highly suggest some Photoshop trickery. I think the beauty of it is, unless you take flat out shit pictures, you can make them look pretty lovely. Then again, learning Photoshop might take as long getting funky w/ your camera.
NeoGeoMan seemed to be the king of taking pics for his eBay auctions - he's probably the best guy to ask.
There was this guy who posted pictures of his Megadrive-like arcade board, a few months ago... his pictures looked downright amazing. I believe he explained his methods, too.
Use an SLR camera - there are many cheap and very good ones. I myself have a Minolta XG7, made in the 80s. Manual or semi-auto camera is the way to go - that way you control the depth of field. Have the camera's Diaphragm setting the most open you can allow (you will need good lighting). Most semi-auto cameras have an automatic setting for shutter speed so you shouldn't have to worry - just keep the priority on the diaphragm. You probably need a macro lens. That will allow you to take pictures from close-by without much blurring. Otherwise, either a good zoom lens or a good managing of distances with your traditional 55mm will have to be enough. Use ASA 400 or above film, and that way you'll be less in need of a flash. Still, having a well lit room helps. Think of the "lighting" as a triangle of lights. If you don't want ugly shadows, see where your main source of light is coming from, and use an opposing set of two lamps (forming an equilateral triangle of sorts - with distance based on the strength of each source of lights). If you really don't have much time for lighting, just make a smaller light oppose the main source of light. Fluorescent light generally modifies the colour of your composition. Try to take pictures in a room where natural light is a factor. You know about the rule of thirds? this can make a photo look much more impressive. Simply, imaigne your view is divided in three sections horizontally and three vertically. Imagine the lines that are formed by these divisions. You should have two horizontal lines, two vertical ones. Where each horizontal line meets a vertical one, there you have a strong focus point. Try to feature the most impressive or important part of your composition in these points. Try to take pictures with an angle, and play with your object's geometry. If you're using a digital, and it has good resolution, just forget about the "diaphragm/shutter" and "film" part of this post, and keep the lighting and Rule of Thirds section. Hope this helps.
