Ogres of the Moonlit Hunt – A Hobby Blog (10)

Note – this article is part of an ongoing series – previous articles can be found here.

This is my tenth hobby blog post in as many weeks, and it simultaneously feels like I’ve been working on the army for ages but also like I just started. Social distancing is definitely having an impact on my perception of time!

Last week, I promised that I would have a completed Hunter Horde to show off. I am pleased to report that I kept my word, which is why this blog is being posted much later in the day than usual. Throughout the week I was able to paint three Ogres and one Night Goblin Netter to round out the unit. Here are some close-ups of each model.

I had previously finished the unit base, which meant I could pop these models off of their respective bases and arrange them down onto the unit base. The Hunter Hordes pose an interesting problem when it comes to basing. I want the models equipped with “man-trappers” to be towards the front so as to represent Ensnare, but I also don’t want any units in this army to overhang the front of the base. Because these models have their arms extended directly in front of them, the whole unit ends up being pushed into the back two-thirds of the base. It’s not a bad aesthetic, but it is limiting. I might also add a mushroom to the front left corner of the base, as it looks a bit bare.

Before I wrap up this week’s blog post, I want to take a moment to discuss how I photograph my miniatures. I am by no means an expert on this side of the hobby, but I’ve picked up a few simple tips from people over the years that have helped me get bright, sharp photos like the ones above.

First, I use a digital camera. I got mine six or seven years ago and to be honest if you have a new smartphone you might not even need to go the digital route. I have a Canon PowerShot G12 and absolutely love it. The price tag is steep, but you can get it for less if you track down a used or refurbished model. And it works great as an all-around camera, making it easier to convince a significant other of making the investment. But really, if you have a digital camera you want to put it in “Macro Mode” in order to get crisp shots of your miniatures.

Next, I use a lightbox. Setting up proper lighting on your own is possible but tricky, and the lightbox takes the thinking out of the equation for you. Thanks to a recommendation from Twitter several years ago, I picked up the Foldio1. Since then, the company has put out newer, more comprehensive models. But the original is a cheap purchase and works just fine for most single miniatures or units. It’s made of lightweight materials and can be collapsed and stored in-between uses. I can’t recommend this purchase enough!

My next tip is to photograph your miniatures from a 45° angle. This makes it easier for your camera to focus and is a good representation of how the models will appear on the tabletop. Taking pictures from directly in front or directly above the miniatures really doesn’t work, unless you’re focusing on one specific detail.

Lastly, I do a bit of light photo-editing before posting. Again, I am a complete novice at photography and there are way too many options for me to make sense of. I simply do two quick fixes. One, I crop the image to be close up on the unit – no point in keeping lots of blank space in the picture! Two, I adjust the color to make the picture brighter. I upload and edit my photos on my MacBook, but I am confident these edits can be done from pretty much any device.

I hope that some of you find these tips helpful or at least interesting. And if you’re reading this thinking, “Greg is an idiot – he doesn’t even do ____.” Then please, leave a comment below and tell me how to up my photography game!