Pic's in MR

[Anonymous]

The pictures of layouts in MR are great!! Just one question. Why don't they show a picture of the room that the layout is in? I think it would be very helpful to see how the layout works in the room.

[brothaslide]

Personally, I wi***hat MR would show more layout photos.

[Hawks05]

same here. i like looking at the layouts. that room idea would be cool to. see how big it is and where it is.

[Big_Boy_4005]

In most cases that isn't possible. As someone who has had his layout featured in MR, and built and designed many more, model railroads aren't built that way, on purpose. We don't want the entire space viewed in one shot. We build backdrops and view blocks in order to create scenes, and to break up the space. Beside, most layouts featured have a plan showing the size and shape of the layout, as well as the track. There have been layouts as small as 4'X8' that have view blocks seperating the layout into 2 or even 3 scenes.

[Anonymous]

I realize the purpose for view blocks and backdrops and such, but I still feel it would be helpful to see the room as a whole. For someone that is new to the hobby it would be helpful to see how the layout fits into the room. Showing this view would not take away from any "scenes" that the modler has built. I think it would be helpful to see how wide aisles are or how someone worked around a support pole for example. I know there are drawings in the articles, but for some people (like me) visualizing thing from a drawing is difficult.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by topa565

The pictures of layouts in MR are great!! Just one question. Why don't they show a picture of the room that the layout is in? I think it would be very helpful to see how the layout works in the room.

It kills the illusion they want to portray apparently (pay no attention to what's behind that curtain!)
Personally, I like a touch of reality with my fantasy. Context would be helpful in a publication we are supposedely learning from and not just oooh and ahhh'ing pretty pics. Leave that for Trackside Photos and GMR.

[MRTerry]

This is an interesting topic. Actually, the answer that "Big Boy" posted is absolutely correct - in many cases, it's not possible. We always ask for an overall photo, but with so many layouts being walkaround designs, often there is no vantage point for such a photo. So, while we like these photos, we don't get as many as we would like.
Thanks for reading MR,
Terry

[Anonymous]

Even if an overall shot is not possible, I would like to see more of the layout edge, the lighting and ceiling, the skirting or shelves or whatever below, the methods of construction. But perhaps that is just because I am an architect by trade! Still, I think new modelers would benefit from seeing the "whole layout" as though they were there in person, visiting it as a full-size human rather than as a scale-size railfan.

[Anonymous]

You hit the nail right on the head Avondaleguy. I would also like to see how the lighting works in the room, what type of lighting is there, how the builder worked around an obstacle, etc. I can appreciate the "scene" aspect of the layout but I think there is more to be gained by the newcomer with some overall views of the layout. For example I am trying to design a layout and I have a few obstacles to deal with. If I could go back into past MR mags, I might find a similar situation and get some ideas on how to deal with the obstacle.

[ClinchValleySD40]

A couple of the super up close photos are great, but I also would like to see more from a distance photos. They used to include those. Makes me feel like I'm actually there in the room.

[Anonymous]

I agree, and since I noticed that a MR editor is engaged, I hope that the requests are tallied... (perhaps someone should create a poll.)

I would like to see more layout photos, and more about how the layout is built in the room (when possible.) There are now plenty of historical photos over time, that could be re-visited for various aspects pertinant to articles that in the magazine for that month.

They talk about the "behind the curtain" stuff in the narrative, but an occasional worthwile underboard, or old building stage photo or two would be awesome. I personally don't want anyone under my board, but some guys spend a lot of time detailing this area as well (numbered wiring, wiring clamps, etc.)

[Big_Boy_4005]

For those of you who want to see an over view of a layout, here's one, please excuse the mess, its under construction.



I couldn't stand back any further, and the camera's lens was not wide angle enough to capture the other half of the room on the left. Notice that you can see the far corner, diagonally across the room. When the benchwork is complete you won't be able to see one tenth as much as you can here.

Remember that a wide angle lens will make everything seem further away in the photo.

[PistolPete]

Thanks for the picture Big Boy, I glad other layouts have the same type of look in the construction phase as mine does. On second look yours is in better shape then mine.[:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Pete, actually the real mess is out of the shot on the left. A lot of what's in the room is salvaged from the mall display that appeared in MR October of 93. The photo in my profile is of me and the storefront.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Big Boy. This is what I'm talking about. It's nice to see a layout under construction. Thanks again.