Light box test shots and a small update

Well now that I'm actually determined to paint my miniatures to a decent degree. I also decided I wanted to take better pictures of them, it also helps that the B&C painting challenges require pictures. So a few weeks ago I went ahead and put in an order for a light box and camera stand for my point and click.

Well they came in a few weeks ago and I was able to find some time to mess around with them. See some sample pics after the break.

Well first I went and took pictures at default settings and found that the white on any of the different color backgrounds supplied with the light box was just too bright. I originally did a black background (BTW a sneak peak of one of my January Vows), but I've actually think the blue looks better. I've also become fond of it my self. Though I did have to mess around with the exposure time. I found that the lowest exposure actually turned out results I was happy with. I then went and redid my Belial shots.

Though now looking at these shots on my work monitor (a 23" Apple Display) these shots might be a little TOO dark. I need to figure out what's up with my main monitor at home I suppose. Regardless, I'm very happy with my purchases. Frankly for a minimal amount of money I'm getting much better shots than before. And with the new Dark Angels being released next weekend I'm very happy I did this. 

Speaking of next weekend. . . . .

I'm really excited and can't wait to see the new codex. The new Deathwing Knights look amazing, and is a unit I'm probably going to be running every time. I'm also hoping the Ravenwing Knights are not too expensive so I can take a full unit. I'm interested in how well the different squads will mesh with each other. Apparently the writer, Jeremy Vetock, likes to write codices with units that mesh very well together. And I wasn't sold on the flyer until I saw the profile. Then I fell in love!

Unfortunately I'm going to be in a tournament all day, and yes I'm using the old DA codex. I'm calling it my last hurrah with the old codex. Hopefully I can bring some honor to our chapter, but with people bringing Necron Flyer lists and Daemons, I don't know.

It also looks like the Bolter and Chainsword is down for maintenance till the 9th. So I won't be able to vow for January yet. Fortunately I've taken the liberty to start (as you can see in my sneak peak picture beforehand), but I won't be posting it till I can actually make my vow. I want to have a fully painted army for my tournament and it looks like I'll be able to do it. These vows will also go towards the Librarium Painting Challenge for 2013. It's funny, when I first joined the B&C so many years ago I always wanted to join the Painting Challenges, but I felt my painting skills were severely lacking (which they probably still are). Guess it took a few years and a "eh screw it I think it looks good" attitude to get me to actually post!