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Ways to get photo backdrops of specific locations without traveling to take the photos yourself?

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  • Member since
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Ways to get photo backdrops of specific locations without traveling to take the photos yourself?
Posted by CTConrail on Sunday, February 3, 2019 8:21 AM

Hey guys so I am wondering of there are any methods of making photo backdrops of specific areas that you have used other than traveling to the place and taking the photos yourself.  Google Earth seems like the angles and size would not be right. I know there are companies that make backdrops but none of what I need. I am looking for a couple angles and spots in and around Providence R.I. Thanks!

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Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Sunday, February 3, 2019 1:45 PM

You might find pictures by seaching google images instead.

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, February 3, 2019 1:51 PM

Have you searched ALL of the companies that make photo backdrops, I mean a comprehensive search, and looked at everything they offer?  Maybe one of them just might have something.

I just did a search for: scenic landscape photos around providence ri.  and seen some pretty nice shots.

You could very the search terms and try wording it differently.

Do you know anybody there, or close to there?

Maybe in your search, be more specific about the area your looking for instead of "angles and spots around Providence, RI."

How about drawing your own backdrop?  Or a friend that can draw?  Contact photographers in the area, and see what they may have to offer.

I'm just kind of "thinking out loud" coming up with ways to get what your looking for.

Good luck!

Mike.

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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, February 3, 2019 2:07 PM

Brown University and URI are in Providence.  Probably a couple community colleges too.   I'll bet one or both have photography classes. 

Get in touch with whomever teaches the course.  Ask them if they would help and what it would cost.  Tell them what you need, point them to some online backdrops so they know exactly what kind of pictures you want.  

He/she could have already taken the pictures you want.  If the professor wasn't interested or more likely wanted more that you were willing to spend, he could farm it out to one of his more advanced students.  The quality would certainly be better than anything on google earth.

Then you would need someone to print it, but that seems the lesser of the problems in getting the pic you want.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by CTConrail on Sunday, February 3, 2019 4:17 PM

I don't personally know anyone out there but good idea about the college students. I have not searched every backdrop manufacturer but the most popular ones. Found Boston but no Providence. I did check Google images but nothing really from the location/angles I am looking for. I need the downtown backdrop facing the track side of Union Station (the old one before the rebuilt it) a shot from Union Station facing the State House and then a shot of Providence Harbor/the Providence River. Maybe a couple others but have not ddecided what yet. Still ironing my new track plan out but I like to have all my ducks in a row and backdrops will be going up with the track to help me get a better I had sense of where scenery will go. I had a perfect image from Google when my location I was modeling was New Haven but can't find even one for Providence.  

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Posted by CTConrail on Sunday, February 3, 2019 5:06 PM

My other issue is the era I am modeling, the 60s, a lot of the modern buildings weren't built yet. Something I will have to figure out. Photoshop I guess.

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Posted by j. c. on Sunday, February 3, 2019 6:45 PM

one way that might work would be to buy trains mag's from era you want and scan photos them run them through a photo shop program.

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Posted by CTConrail on Sunday, February 3, 2019 7:13 PM

j. c.

one way that might work would be to buy trains mag's from era you want and scan photos them run them through a photo shop program.

 

That may be a good idea too. Would just have to find one with Providence. I am proficient with Photoshop so that part wouldn't be a problem.

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, February 3, 2019 8:50 PM

CTConrail
That may be a good idea too. Would just have to find one with Providence. I am proficient with Photoshop so that part wouldn't be a problem.

Hi, Conrail

I am a frequent browser at the Flickr website. This site is geared toward photography and you can often find better quality photos at higher resolutions.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=providence%20skyline

 

The trouble with some, such as Google Images is that the photos might be 600 pixels or less and that's not going to blow up to a two or three foot backdrop very well.

Other photo sites, Getty Images, for instance have a watermark unless you want to buy the photo.

Here's one example of a Providence skyline from a Flickr contributor:

 The Providence Skyline by ap0013, on Flickr

Note that you can download it for your own use at about 6000 pixels wide. Some contributors have the download option turned off. In that case you might email the photographer and tell them what you want the photo for. Maybe they will let you use it or send you a copy for a small fee?

 Providence Skyline by Ed Voas, on Flickr

When you're in Flickr you can search several options. I simply used "Providence Skyline". Again, the nice thing about most of these contributors is that you can get a decent resolution to work with. Try blowing up a 200 pixel photo to three feet wide Whistling

Hope that helps,

Go Conrail! Ed

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Posted by CTConrail on Sunday, February 3, 2019 9:24 PM

gmpullman

 

 
CTConrail
That may be a good idea too. Would just have to find one with Providence. I am proficient with Photoshop so that part wouldn't be a problem.

 

Hi, Conrail

I am a frequent browser at the Flickr website. This site is geared toward photography and you can often find better quality photos at higher resolutions.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=providence%20skyline

 

The trouble with some, such as Google Images is that the photos might be 600 pixels or less and that's not going to blow up to a two or three foot backdrop very well.

Other photo sites, Getty Images, for instance have a watermark unless you want to buy the photo.

Here's one example of a Providence skyline from a Flickr contributor:

 The Providence Skyline by ap0013, on Flickr

Note that you can download it for your own use at about 6000 pixels wide. Some contributors have the download option turned off. In that case you might email the photographer and tell them what you want the photo for. Maybe they will let you use it or send you a copy for a small fee?

 Providence Skyline by Ed Voas, on Flickr

When you're in Flickr you can search several options. I simply used "Providence Skyline". Again, the nice thing about most of these contributors is that you can get a decent resolution to work with. Try blowing up a 200 pixel photo to three feet wide Whistling

Hope that helps,

Go Conrail! Ed

 

Awesome thanks Ed! That picture may actually work for my backdrop behind Union Station seeing as it shows the old Union Station in the image. Now I just need to go and try to find shots of the other locations I will need. I appreciate the tip!

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