hey im an arc student at the university at buffalo. I need to document my models on a white background. Can you guys give me some advice on the best camera settings. I have a point and shoot samsung but could use a digital slr.

use indirect natural light in the shadow a building on a bright sunny day. You just can't get the same quality of light in a studio. Do your photoshoots outdoors and Photoshop the background.

what is good for indoor shoots and what are good camera settings

There are no best settings for a camera.

The sutter speed and apperature play off one another and there are some "physics" rules to how they work.

if your light meter suggests a F8 at 1/250 then thats the same as F16 at 1/125 or F22 at 1/60.

You should know however that different F-stops (apperature) create different depths of field (what is in focus) a larger F-stop like F1.4 will have a very narrow depth of field. A lot of model photographers like this effect. F22 or smaller will have a large depth of field (great for landscape photos).

Learn the rules and its all a piece of cake from there.

if your light meter suggests a F8 at 1/250 then thats the same as F16 at 1/125 or F22 at 1/60.

close but no cigar! You're off by 1 stop.

if your light meter suggests a F8 at 1/250 then thats the same as F11 at 1/125 or F16 at 1/60.

Try to use a tripod and shutter release cable,in order to obtain the slowest speed. If you have not a cable, use the automatic shutter. It avoid camera vibration.