How to Photograph your Model Collection on a Budget

Whether you’re sharing your latest diecast find, listing a model for sale, or just showing off your pride and joy, good photography can make all the difference. With a few simple tricks, and hardly any spend, you can make your collection look like it belongs in a magazine.

1. Use natural light where possible

Lighting can make or break a photo. Try shooting near a window on a bright, overcast day to soften shadows and show off detail. A cheap desk lamp with white paper over the shade can also create a simple, diffused studio effect.

2. Build your own lightbox

You don’t need expensive gear to get clean, professional-style shots. A cardboard box lined with white copier paper makes an ideal backdrop, while a few circular cut-outs allow light to shine through evenly. For most collectors, this DIY approach works as well as a £15 lightbox.

3. Keep it steady and simple

You don’t need a fancy camera! Most modern phones have excellent lenses and settings for close-up shots. A tripod or even leaning your phone against a stack of books will stop your photos blurring. Try using your phone’s timer rather than tapping the screen to take the shot, as it keeps the camera completely still.

This is an example of a photograph taken using this step by step guide.

4. Perfect the details

Dust and fingerprints can ruin a great photo. Use a cotton bud or a lint-free cloth to gently clean your model before taking pictures, especially around small parts or glossy areas. Afterwards, you can make minor tweaks to brightness or contrast if needed, clean backgrounds and sharp focus will make your models pop without any fancy software.

Want to learn how to take studio-quality photos on a shoestring budget? See the full photography guide in the December issue of Diecast Collector (pages 72–74), on sale 2 December.