some of my demons.
Before:
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1126-1.jpg)
After:
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1120-1.jpg)
Disgusting - as they should be ;D
Your focusing is a tad off in the first picture, what camera are you using?
A Konica Miolta Dimage E50. I'm not the world's greatest photographer.
Well, a couple of tips:
Use a tripod and a an auto-timer to ensure sharp images.
Using a macro mode is advisable, but that could also result in an aperture a bit too small which basically means that although some parts of your miniature would be in focus, the other parts would be out of focus. Experiment with either and see which one works best.
Use a backdrop such as black felt - that distinguishes your miniature's colours a bit better.
Set the white balance to match the current lighting (usually the camera's own auto white balance is off, so calibrate with a white sheet of paper)
Don't take the picture from too close, as objectives tend to have a minimum range that they can focus into. Take further away and half-press so you can see that the image focuses properly. If you can set the focusing point to the miniature, even better.
Use maximum image resolution. You can always resize and crop it later in GIMP (free), Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop or whatever.
Succubus
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1026.jpg)
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1027.jpg)
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1028.jpg)
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1029.jpg)
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1030.jpg)
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1031.jpg)
(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww232/The-Toecutter/PICT1032.jpg)
I think I may have retouched Carabia after that picture was taken. Let me know what you think.
Having seen them 'in the flesh' I think you need to work on your photography skills. Maybe a better lighting as they are way nicer than they seem on those pictures.