Oh crap I just noticed that I did not mention it here, but I was using flash here but flash compensation is set between -2 and -1 level

Edit : to clarify it a little further for both shots

my iphone is set on a tripod, at a 45~ish angle at the front left of the frame (if that make sense),
flash comp set at -2 ~ -1
and i am standing approximately 1m away from the subject

This post has been edited by cyxnide: Jul 18 2022, 03:54 PM

I see. Then you need to diffuse your flash. What flash you are using? And why did you dial in the flash compensation ? You can whatsapp me at 016 5799 388 for faster respond. I will show u how to diffuse your flash using super cheap method.

If your iphone is 45 ish angle at the front left of the frame, then where did you put your flash? Is your iphone projecting continuous lighting on your figurine?

Or you meant, the flash coming from your iphone? So the flash IS your iphone ? . If that is the case, how can u trigger your iphone to flash when you press the shutter release button on your camera ?

why do you want to use 200mm instead of 80mm? Your shutter speed was at 1/30 sec, that was way too low for 80mm handheld shot, let alone at 200mm. That is very risk. You have high chances of blur image due to camera shake. And also, at the 1/30, you won't be able to kill the ambient light.

This post has been edited by Loseeker: Jul 18 2022, 04:17 PM

I really should've clarified it in my previous post...

Anyways, I am using my camera's built in pop-up flash, and my iphone's torch is on the entire time so its projecting continuous lighting on the subject.

And the reason I chose 200mm is because if I were to use 80mm that would mean my subject will look very far away and my A4 paper backdrop won't be big enough to cover everything behind it since I have some distance with the subject.

Maybe in hindsight I really should've just used a faster shutter speed and cranked the ISO a little bit

Change your lense. That's for potrait.

Not good for view

I see why you have chose 200mm now. You did that to compress the background so that the angle of view is within your A4 paper. And why do you want to use a piece of A4 paper as a backdrop may I ask? I know you're on a tight budget. At least get a manila cardboard la...A4 is really too small.

Despite what other has said, your 80-200 is ok for the shot you want to achieve given you have enough room to back away from. You don't really have to use a faster shutter speed if your camera is on a tripod. You need to understand that adjusting your shutter speed is to control how much you want the ambient lighting as well as your iphone continuous lighting in your shoot.

As regards the built in pop up flash is the worse kind of flash. It is small and direct without diffusion. It gives you a very harsh and very contrast kind of light which is NOT favor for portrait shooting as well as product/figurine shoot unless you like it that way. It's only good for 2 things. 1) To use as an optical trigger for your off camera flash. 2) As emergency lighting to light up your subject.

Finally, using flash and continue lighting requires different kind of settings. Of course you can mix them both. But I would suggest you understand how each of them work first before you mix them together.



Now that I've understand the situation better, on top of what I've already told you previously, you can try the following.

1. Put you iphone continuous light 45 degree to the left/right of your figurine. Diffuse it by wrapping it with a big white plastic bag

2. As for your camera setting, the Focal length: 80mm, iso 100. Aperture at F5.6. As for the shutter speed, you can adjust in such a way that, the background of your figurine is about 1/3 to 2/3 stop underexposed.

3. Don't use the build in flash.

4. As for the backdrop, ditch the A4 paper. If you cannot find another decent backdrop to use, just use any wall will do and place your figurine a bit far away to show a bit of depth.

If you want to know more detail how to setup the above, feel free to whatsapp me

This post has been edited by Loseeker: Jul 18 2022, 07:55 PM

This rule is from the old film days but still in use today.
The general rule is keep your shutter speed equal or above the focal length.
In your case at 200mm your shutter speed should be 1/320s due to the crop factor.

With image stabilization you can compensate your shutter speed by 1 stop or more.

Its just a rule though.
But i would you have very steady hands there haha.

I'll go over to my local stationery store this weekend and buy myself some materials so I can setup my own light box sort of thing.
I still don't have a tripod yet so I was already risking my photo sharpness for low ISO and slow shutter speed now... thats the next on my to-buy-list.

Also how does it work as a optical trigger tho? That sounds expensive

I'll try with diffusing my phone's torch first, do you think I should have the entire room blacked out when I'm shooting tho?

The rule where your shutterspeed should be almost the same as your focal length? Maybe I'll try it out.
also as much as I'd love to have image stabilization, this lens and body combo doesn't come with that feature lol

And my hand was shaky as hell that I had to use the backrest of my chair as a support, and you have no idea how many ruined shots were flushed down the toilet thanks to my shaky hands

The sky, and the reflection of it.

I don't know if this is allowed or not, but here is one photo I took on my iPhone some time ago that I was genuinely proud of.
I couldn't find the original file anymore, so I had to make do with this compressed version posted to Instagram.

The sky, and the reflection of it by Henry FH, on Flickr

edit : formatting

This post has been edited by cyxnide: Jul 19 2022, 02:31 PM

TS, whatsapp me so I can guide you from there.

This post has been edited by Loseeker: Jul 19 2022, 03:48 PM

check out shockee or lapsada.
they got sell lightbox and its not too expensive around rm30 for a small one and rm 60 for a big one.
it comes with led lighting so you do not have to use ur phone as a light source.

Thanks, I have your number saved but not now, I'll make sure to have tried everything you have mentioned in your previous posts first and I'll reach out to you whenever I run into any hiccups trying to setup my makeshift studio.

Me being a massive cheapskate, I'll probably end up building my own lightbox with a massive cardboard box and some leftover white fabrics.
But thanks for the advice as well, maybe I'll shop around for a prebuilt one before actually going full DIY mode.

nah i dun think you are cheapskate.

i would DIY too but i dun have the time.
so i bought a light box online and modify the lighting to my liking.
currently i put in extra bright LEDs, i plan to put in RGB leds in the future.
but i dun really RGB need it yet so......

if you get one, my advice straight away get the big one, the small one usefulness will quickly be realized.

Found this pic in my SD card...

But thanks to the weather nowadays i think i might need one of these for a shower head instead

fire hydrant by Henry FH, on Flickr

Ironing by Henry FH, on Flickr

I have resorted to taking photos of my mom doing everyday tasks

i'm running low on ideas if you can't tell already

I'll put taking pics of my figurines / household items for now, at least i won't try it anymore until I get a proper tripod.

Johor Bahru Photo Dump


BSN Building by Henry FH, on Flickr

Skyway by Henry FH, on Flickr

Sultan Ibrahim Building by Henry FH, on Flickr

Broken light pole(?) by Henry FH, on Flickr

Another attempt at street photography by Henry FH, on Flickr

Another attempt at street photography by Henry FH, on Flickr

Been a while since I last took my camera out for a walk.

What do you guys think?

Untitled 1 by Henry FH, on Flickr

Morning Sun by Henry FH, on Flickr

Kinda cheating cus I was using my iPhone for this shot.

Hut by Henry FH, on Flickr


now back to the usual DSLR shots

Security by Henry FH, on Flickr

Fences by Henry FH, on Flickr

hey... i actually think that your photos keep improving...! keep it up!!!