hontou ni » Figure Photography

Gorillapod vs GSC 1/7 Shiki ~ Garan no Dou

Zyl — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:25:22 +0000

This first time I mounted my DSLR onto the Joby Gorillapod Original (a present from my occasional photography instructor), the image of the Takemikazuchi from So Ra No Wo To popped into my head and the setup for the shoot just felt like a completely unfazed Shiki placidly staring down an opponent. Yeah, I know - Stripey has told me that I have an over-active imagination. =_=);;

I had been thinking about getting a tripod for some time; I'm still not used to the weight distribution of a DSLR (which was a hand-me-down). Especially for awkward angles, the VR gets a constant workout due to my shaking hands. But most tripods are too big (no storage space) and too expensive (especially if I only use it once or twice a month) so the gift was really appreciated. Have attached three contrasting photos (click on them for larger sizes) and some brief notes.

Handheld | Exposure 1/8000 | ISO-400

All shots were on Aperture priority mode at f/3.5. I like evening light the most but as it's out of the question on working days and the weather isn't always good enough on weekends, it looks like I'll have to try out more indoor shoots (and replace that lamp I accidentally broke during my last attempted shoot T_T).

Gorillapod | Exposure 1/8000 | ISO-400

With the DSLR mounted on the Gorillapod, there was an immediate improvement in the focus. For the next picture, I downed the ISO setting to the minimum.

Gorillapod | Exposure 1/1600 | ISO-100

Much less noise especially when viewed at its maximum size.

In hindsight, I should have tried shooting at f/22 (E at around 1/40) too but I had spent so much time setting up that the light conditions had changed too much for any meaningful comparison. Again, I might learn more from the controlled conditions of an indoor shoot.

One minor problem was that, even with the minimum focal length of 18mm (was using a 18-200), I had to move the figure and the camera to the opposite ends of the table. Needless to say, having the camera perched precariously on the edge made me sweat even more in addition to the tropical heat and humidity. It won't surprise me if those who are really into figure photography will probably be using macro lenses in addition to tripods but I'd prefer to learn how to get the most out of what I already own before spending on new equipment.

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Volks 1/7 Fate T. Harlaown (Indoor Shoot)

Zyl — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:18:05 +0000

This time I tried to avoid the white balance problem that was so prominent in my Saber Lily indoor shoot by cutting out the incandescent lights. But it seems that my fluorescent lights are too harsh (i.e. need a diffuser) and, at the same time, not bright enough (i.e. need one more). While I'm not pleased with the results, I decided to post the photos anyway as I've received much valued advice from commenters in the past. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

All Woman Fate's busty bust is certainly nice but her barrier jacket is really shiny reflective. While was highlighted by the appropriately named meronpan's review. Looks like not even his professional (rather than improvised) diffuser umbrella could solve this!

Whoops! Her left hand has a tendency to fall off - it stays on most of the time but just the slightest movement or bump sends it clattering to the ground. Which worries me as PVC figures tend to 'loosen' in a tropical climate after time e.g. my Alter Fate can barely keep her grip on to Bardiche and I have to prop her sword device up most of the time.

Like I said before, love those thigh-highs! And the boots. Boots are awesome - they are also the main reason why I love Wilhelmina and Maria's meido outfits.

And here's the lighting setup. Nowhere as cool as this though but the Jansjo from Ikea is megas-flexible and can be bent in almost any direction and I'm pleased with this addition to my arsenal (though I am a bit confused as to whether a diode is considered incandescent or fluorescent). Now I just need some tracing paper, duct tape and an old cardboard box...

Volks 1/7 Fate T. Harlaown (Outdoor Shoot)

Zyl — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:57:17 +0000

I was quite grumpy when I took Fate out of her box and gave her the once over. There are numerous issues with the figure in my possession such as poor casting hair), sloppy painting (torso) and a loose fit for the lower hand that wields one of the twin Riot Zanber blade [I'll elaborate on those when I post the indoor shoot photos].

But after reviewing and processing the photos from this shoot, I realized that the two biggest problems are only clearly visible if one looks from just behind her head...

Took this in the evening with the setting sun shining in from the right. It's almost the opposite problem encountered during oOgA's shoot over at The Banzai Effect with blazing overhead noon sun.

I like taking photos in natural light the most as the colours feel more vibrant but it's also so dependent on the weather and even a passing cloud and drizzle can just present many challenges to an inexperienced photographer like meself.

Speaking of a random passing cloud, the two photos above demonstrate the effect of one...

While fate has not been as kind as she's normally been to me in terms of figure quality, I've not been too kind to Fate either. I was trying to fit the above-mentioned blade into her hand, when I did a Kasusabe Saki - snapping off the handle just below Bardiche's eye. orz orz orz orz orz

Thankfully the local Gunpla shop did its magic - effecting a repair like the one in Ch 13 of Genshiken at a token cost. You can see the repair wire through Bardiche's eye.

I've highlighted several gripes in the intro para but, in the interests of balance, I should also mention that I absolutely *love* the way the sculpt shows Fate's thigh-highs tightly squeezing said thighs so that there's a slight bulge around the circumference of her legs as skin meets thigh-high and also the creases behind her knees giving lovely texture to that beloved accessory of leg fetishists.

There's one of the casting defects I mentioned earlier. If you look just above her ear, on the non-twin tail lock of hair, there's a chip off the sculpt probably the PVC not filling the entire mould properly. Following down that strand of hair, near the white of her collar, there was a pretty series of gouges (one of them even showing green underneath) but that's only visible from an angle that I couldn't take a proper photo off because the sun was casting a strong shadow on it (thus will be highlighting it for the indoor shoot).

All said I'm still happy to own and display Volks Fate. The imperfections are numerous but the positives still (just about) overweigh them.