Best Guide: Shoot & Edit Minis on Your Phone

I am a professional photographer, but even so, I don't always feel like pulling out my big DSLR camera. I often take great photos of my miniatures with my phone. In this video, I go over a simple lighting set up, the best app to photograph your miniatures, and my favorite app to edit your photos.
***I have been informed that the select feature isn't available on photoshop express for Android. I double-checked that the app was available on android, but since I only have apple I was unable to test the features. I hope that the rest of the video is still helpful to you!
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[@LylaMev]

What do you use to photograph your miniatures? ***I have been informed that the select feature isn't available on photoshop express for Android. I double-checked that the app was available on android, but since I only have apple I was unable to test the features in the android version. I hope that the rest of the video is still helpful to you! Also, this is the first video with my new audio set up! Though in the future, you won't be able to see my microphone...

[@scantrahan]

I use my wife's camera phone (I need to update my own phone)

[@jagelsdorf1385]

Both for photography and all my recording a Samsung Galaxy. A proper camera is one of the things on the long list of “things-to-buy-after-I-get-a-new-job”... ^^’

[@Chp82]

Anyone with android feeling a bit left out.... Use an app called Snapseed for your editing!

[@jagelsdorf1385]

@@Chp82 but both of the apps in the video are available on android, so why?

[@Chp82]

@@jagelsdorf1385 Maybe I've misunderstood some of the comments then. I thought ppl we're saying, yes the apps are on Android, but they can't use some of the features Ios ppl seem to be able to do. So I suggested Snapseed.

[@rmclean101]

This is great, thank you! Since moving to Washington, I was surprised how much the change in natural light has effected mini pics...

[@pedrodasilva8343]

Thank you for all your tips. Realy good vidéo! Have a nice day!

[@PeteOfDarkness]

One thing that is super helpful is bluetooth shutter button and some sort of holder for my phone (I designed and 3D printed one, but it can be literally a stand with rubber bands). Ok, that's actually two things, but what it really does is eliminating hand shaking. You can substitute remote with timed shutter and just prop phone on something, but more robust setup make it much nicer experience.

[@josealmazan1592]

Excellent explained

[@Kasyx]

This is really one of best guide of making good photos from my phone. Thank you Lyla!

[@jagelsdorf1385]

It’s like a sign from God. I was just looking for a video exactly like this :D Edit: I just watched it till the end. Wow, just wow. Easily the best video on miniature photography that I’ve seen. Everybody and their mother seems to have an expensive camera and a lightbox and great software... and there is me with my trusty smartphone just wanting to show people my models. Once again, great video. No nonsense, just pure knowledge and practical tips. Can’t wait to put it all to practice.

[@abaddungeonmaster7622]

Awesome video, Mini Witch! I have actually been postponing photographing my minis since I couldn't get any good shots of them. Cant thank you enough!

[@CaelynEllis]

Thank you so much for this! I don't usually comment on YT videos, but this was exactly what I needed and I had to say thanks.

[@smileoez]

Oooh, It's really cool that you not only told some tips, but also named particular apps that should be used to make great photos. Thanks!

[@jeremycombs7326]

Great advice thank you

[@phoen31]

I love this photo app, thanks for the information. I've gone from awful..to.. fairly okay at taking photos. I really love LR.

[@patchwork667]

Thanks so much for this!

[@jackneller6824]

Just got back into heavy mini painting and this video changed my whole outlook on taking photos of my creations. Using these techniques my photos come out 1000% better and I am excited to show them off now. Before not so much because of the blah looking pics I used to take. Thanks!

[@elliottnuttall1]

Great video Lyla, and very informative! (+1 for added Zenithol Cat).

[@LylaMev]

Mochi is great!

[@johnlemon149]

I love all your videos, but this one is so very helpful. I have been painting miniatures for years and they look awesome in person, but all my attempts to photo them has been a let down. Thank you so very much!!! Please keep the videos coming, you are amazing!!!

[@AndreSjoberg]

So fun to watch this video, talking about a thousand subscribers, and the looking at your subs-count now ;) Found your channel through the Miscast, love the stuff :)

[@ghazevedo]

Great video. Could you put a link for ios or android link for the camera app?

[@B4MBI72]

Totally agree, been a photographer for years and years, and getting the SLR set up for a quick photo can be a pain. These days even the cheapest phones have great cameras, but lighting is the key. Crap camera and good light gets you a better photo than the best camera with crap light. Lightroom is THE best all round photo editor IMO , used it on the PC since it came out. One of those phone holders to stick your phone to a car windscreen is great as a tripod alternative.

[@nelsonantunes7846]

BEST ADVICE ON BETTER PHOTOS!!! thank you very mutch for the help ans tricks to take better photos with phone! really thank you

[@tomlindahl4580]

Brilliant, exactly what I was looking for!

[@janbiela8596]

Thanks for the great tutorial, probably the best one about photographing minis on KZbin :)

[@ChillingWargamers]

Excellent advice and thanks for the video

[@luis3657]

Very good tricks and tips to try to show better the hours spent on our miniatures :D. The best one I've seen from several ones covering this subject.

[@ThePaintingCoach]

Great video and really helpful

[@rickl9462]

Wow great video! I feel like I learn something new every video you put out. Thanks for all the great information!

[@vendorlucid]

Thanks for this great guide!

[@erinweatherly6539]

Thank you. This was really good lots of great info presented very well. I’m excited to photo my next mini now

[@benoitattinost1411]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@phelanhourigan2708]

Thanks! This video is great. I am excited to give the process a try tomorrow. :)

[@chillywilly883]

Thank you so much for this instruction on the apps. Really informative and helped me greatly.

[@mynameisvignesh]

This is great! Your channel is a wonderful resource for learning or improving mini painting!

[@gauthambhat3054]

What's the app name?

[@kofmanmi]

Really great information, thank you.

[@TheBlondiekitten]

This is superb, thank you Lyla 💖

[@The_WarL0rd_Way]

Another amazing video, thank your for this content!

[@juliehamel8330]

Thanks for the informative video 😁

[@cyberbum9688]

Really good video for photography! The app part was very informative. I’ve seen many other photography videos but I feel a lot of them are too impractical. Also I like taking WIP photos so I don’t always want to make some huge setup. Thanks!

[@LylaMev]

Wonderful!

[@SeattleFira]

THANK YOU FOR THIS

[@BopperTSK]

It's realy helpful video!

[@yasafvolinsky7427]

So cool. Do you have a time line for that advanced video you talked about?

[@cariza5]

Greetings from Scotland, what make and model of Smartphone are you using, I am into the exact same Hoby as you.

[@BluebellKitty1]

Lightroom requires a subscription. Is there a free alternative you'd recommend?

[@SaschaKleiber]

I don't know exactly why but with my Big Camera the miniature photos are by far better than what I can achieve with my iPhone 12 Pro Max... Especially light and sharpness are way better. Using a portrait lense (50mm on apsc) or that.

[@griffglowen5555]

Thanks. I know this vid is old but do you still recommend these apps? I’m having trouble with Lightroom because the photos are extremely grainy. I’m guessing it’s auto setting ISO too high but when I reduce it the photo gets way too dark and it’s very hard to adjust Sec to compensate as the end-photo looks nothing like the preview (so I have to guess how bright the end photo will be)

[@sergei5879]

Awesome info, especially for newbies. But can I provide some feedback? Dont treat it like any kind of negative, its just, for you to consider. First of all, I already watching your video, and already I rely on you as on a subject matter expert in the question you raised. You dont need to say "My opinion, I prefer, etc" Second. It is about 2 minutes intro of "why to follow your advice". Same as above - you already convinced me to watch your video, named with words "Guide, Photo, Mini, Phone". Some preview is cool, but no need to convince me twice. Third. Again above - photo, guide, phone. What I as a viewer want to see - app. how to use it, settings, tips, etc. Dont get me wrong - but half of the video you Im watching you sitting and explaining things that could be explained in the background with only voice, while you would show setup/ or app itself. All this could easily lead to nearly twice shorter video. Just want to double accent that all written is not some kind of "idontlikeit" its just what imo could help you to improve. Cheers

[@LylaMev]

I really appreciate you taking the time to type this out. Now that I feel more confident in my audio, time is definitely the next thing I need to focus on. I see exactly what you mean by being able to cut down on my explanations by going over everything once instead of twice. This is a tip I will have to consider with the next video i edit, thank you!

[@cyberbum9688]

Yeah I agree that having your explanation in the background while showing the steps will make the video leaner. Right now there’s an explanation, followed by a quiet segment showing the steps.

[@carnage2k4]

in 2023 Adobe removed many of the features in Lightroom covered here. Have your app or methods changed? Might be time for an update to this guide.

[@radoslawradecki]

I personally prefer Snapseed app to edit photos, have a lots features and it's for free.

[@junegan723]

Have you used the Snapseed app to edit photos? How do you find it compares?

[@marcstephens6755]

Didn't know there was apps to take pics and only used the phone app (Note 10) which has the same WB features to take pics of my miniatures. I find the phone much easier to take WIP pics at the paint table for instagram and Facebook. I cannot get good pics with the Cannon 70d which I use for outdoor pics most. Will be following you now but search for Lightroom comes up with lots of choices so cannot find the one you use, closest is Adobe Lightroom, is that the one?

[@LylaMev]

Adobe Lightroom is the one!

[@marcstephens6755]

@@LylaMev thanks I did get that, needs in app purchases which is OK

[@LylaMev]

Most people can download it for free, but I’ve heard a few people say it requires payment. I can’t figure out why that is! I purposely chose an app that was free, so whenever I hear people say they had to purchase it it makes me so frustrated.

[@shanegarvey3263]

This was done on an iPhone? The Photoshop Express app doesn't seem to have some of the options on my Samsung.

[@LylaMev]

No way! I double checked that you could download photoshop express, but since I don’t have an Android I couldn’t test the features.

[@shanegarvey3263]

@@LylaMev The subject and background options seem to not be there; I was able to follow along for everything else though. Awesome vid with very helpful tips, thank you :)

[@LylaMev]

I'm glad that everything else worked for you! I'm sorry that that feature isn't available on android (seriously!? wtf, adobe). I will add this information to my pinned comment/description so others can see this information as well. Thank you for being the guinea pig.

[@Chp82]

Hey Shane. Use an app called 'Snapseed'. I have the s7 and I use Snapseed to adjust. It can handle raw photos shot with Samsung Pro mode (if you have the s7 model or up) It's a great app. Will do all you need to do. Including that all important white balance. It's totally free and no annoying ads! Which is unheard of now it seems.

[@shanegarvey3263]

@@Chp82 hey thanks Frank. Can it handle the DMG files of Lighroom?

[@kenusaga]

LOL! Was kitty being bad?

[@LylaMev]

Mochi’s middle name is Mayhem!

[@kirillxsobolev]

I can also recommend this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6GkgH9snJmmg80 by warzone studio