First Macro - Background help

My first attempt at macro photography comes from some miniature painting I'm doing for a game I just got into. I want to post Work in progress pictures on a forum, and as a photographer I want the pictures to be good (the painting skills are that good but hopefully they'll get there).

I'm not to sure the best setup, I don't want to invest in any more equipment really, but might be willing to buy something to improve lighting if it is needed. I'm wondering which of these setups is best, any changes I should make, or an entirely different setup suggestion.

My first setup has a bounce flash above the model, basically blowing out the background and eliminating and shadows. A second flash is placed just to the right of the camera with a small softbox.

IMAGE LINK: http://mjhession.smugm​ug.com …Nw4Dp72/0/O/i-Nw4Dp72.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://mjhession.smugm​ug.com …xZwszPG/0/O/i-xZwszPG.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://mjhession.smugm​ug.com …C5M9D5K/0/O/i-C5M9D5K.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://mjhession.smugm​ug.com …ckHcD2S/0/O/i-ckHcD2S.jpg

The exposures and flash diffusion look good to me. The only suggestion I would add would be for the white background, to get a large piece of white paper, set the model on one end of it, and put a smooth bend in it behind the figure. That will give you a seamless-looking base/background, which would be less distracting than the transition you have now. You can do the same thing with black paper if you don't want anything to show in the dark background.

I really think you need to benchmark test both lighting setups. By that I mean both light placements with the white background. and then with the dark BG. So 2 sets of white and 2 sets of dark for a total of 8 pics.

The lighting "on" the figure in the dark BG looks much better. But that may be a result of other factors, like light reflections or lack of. I'm not sure if it looks better because you moved the lights or it's because of the dark background changed the way the light reflects.

You need to keep "all" the variables the same, "except" for the ones you want to change. Then you will know that its because you moved X to Y and not that could have been X + Z - R + ZY ... etc


BTW: the painting work looks pretty good. You "are" getting there.

Suggestions. Go to Walmart and buy 3 large sheets of white posterboard, and 3 black. You will use one for the floor and background of the image. Two are extras, cause they get dirty or you bend one and the bend will show.

Buy three pieces of white foamcore board. They are about 2 feet by 3. Duct tape two of them alone one of the long sides, to make a hinge. Fold it up when not using it, open it when using it. Take one of the white posterboards and put it in the open hinged foam board book and tape one short edge along the top of the open foam board, this will let it lay down and bend with a smooth bend to the front of the bottom open foam board. Put your figures on the floor.

The third foam board can be cut into smaller rectangle or square pieces and used as reflectors. Reflectors give a softer light, or can be used to create a gradient to one side or the other. Experiment, the reflectors are very handy and you can get some great effects from them.

One last suggestion with your lighting. When photographing your figures, turn off all other light sources in the room, including your TV or desk lamps, even if they don't look like they are adding any light. They are, and it will mess up your WB.