Photography Cheat Sheet: Make Your Miniatures Look Expensive

A collector piece is best explained by photos. Good photos are not “marketing.” They are documentation: color, detail, and finish captured accurately.

The only 3 things you need

1) Soft light (diffusion)

Hard light creates hotspots that make paint look plastic.

• Use a lamp through diffusion (white cloth, baking paper, softbox).
• Bigger light source = softer shadows.

2) A clean background

Background noise kills premium perception.

• Use a simple backdrop: grey, black, or neutral paper.
• Avoid dirty textures, messy desks, and busy shelves.

3) Eye-level angle

Top-down angles flatten the sculpt.

• Shoot close to the face height of the miniature/statue.
• Slight 3/4 turn usually looks best.

Avoid these (they ruin premium instantly)

• Direct flash
• Complex backgrounds
• Extreme HDR that creates halos and fake colors

Phone settings that actually help

• Turn off beauty filters
• Tap focus on the face; lower exposure slightly
• Keep ISO low (add light instead)
• Lock white balance if possible to prevent color drift

A simple “fast setup”

• One diffused lamp at 45° (key)
• Optional small rim light behind (separation)
• Neutral background 30–60 cm behind the piece

Archive rule (collector-grade)

Take one “true color” photo in neutral light, then one “cinematic” photo. You want both accuracy and drama.