johnandjulie13 wrote: lionroar88 wrote:John,No I am a graduate from the Erie campus and I have multiple family members that alumni and season ticket holders.We have been season ticket holders for Northwestern for many years. If you ever plan on making a trip to Chicago for a game, let me know.Regards,John
lionroar88 wrote:John,No I am a graduate from the Erie campus and I have multiple family members that alumni and season ticket holders.
We have been season ticket holders for Northwestern for many years. If you ever plan on making a trip to Chicago for a game, let me know.
Regards,
John
lionroar88 wrote:Nah... just really board... nothing to work on here at work and not much happening on the LoI day front... other than Tyrel Pryor is not signing today and is making an Official Visit to PSU either today or tomorrow. My personal gut feeling is it is down to PSU/tOSU.
Hey Brent:
Are you officially affiliated with PSU?
I have one of these. I will check them out.
Thanks all,Wes
Woodland Scenic:http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/woo/wooc1203.htm
Generic:http://www.dickblick.com/zz335/06/ http://www.dickblick.com/zz335/07/http://www.nextag.com/plaster-cloth/search-html
Where would a person get plaster cloth? Is there a cheaper version than the stuff that woodland scenics sells? Can you just make your own?
Wes
lionroar88 wrote:John,What did you use to create the hills?
Hello Brent:
I used the left over foam I had to create the rough shape:
I then carved the foam into a smoother looking shape and then I used Sculptamold to make them look natural:
My left over foam was 2" thick. This created issues in making a nice smooth hill and I had to use more Sculptamold than I wanted. If I had to do it again, I would buy some 1" foam board for the hills.
Hello Jim:
Thank you for the feedback. I like the idea of using plaster cloth. Since I used 2" foam, the lake is a little deeper than I would like.
johnandjulie13 wrote:Well, after a complete failure applying foam/flock onto a section of my layout (along with the accompanying feelings of self-loathing and pity ), I was back at it tonight and got a couple of things accomplished:I cut out the foam for my pond/creek. Given my utter failure learning experience with the foam, I can't wait () to start the process of trying to simulate water.
Well, after a complete failure applying foam/flock onto a section of my layout (along with the accompanying feelings of self-loathing and pity ), I was back at it tonight and got a couple of things accomplished:
I cut out the foam for my pond/creek. Given my utter failure learning experience with the foam, I can't wait () to start the process of trying to simulate water.
John, when we were at this stage, we covered the river bed and banks with plaster cloth. When dry, we painted the banks and river. Then we painted clear gloss medium over that to represent the shiny sparkle of water.
Don't get discouraged. You're doing fine!
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
I also purchased grade crossings from Scale University. After staining and weathering, I installed them on my layout.
I am still practicing my photography and came up with this one
John,
This is somewhat off topic but I looked at your photos and would highly recommend putting some light weight sheets of plywood or plastic sheets overlapped on the ceiling directly above your layout. Reason for this is that I had a spill happen many years ago and it came through the floor from upstairs and spilled stuff on my layout and got my two Cities Service tank cars and did other cosmetic damage to the layout. Left permanant stains on my two tank cars.
Your layout is looking good! Noticed that you have the correct type of signal light for the Pennsylvania Railroad to go with your steam loco.
Lee F.
Dennis and Scott:
Great suggestions! I never thought of turning down the flash. That is an excellent idea.
Dennis, I believe you may be on to something. My halogen lights are so bright that they just wash out the engine and create huge shadows. Softer light may be exactly the ticket with either no flash or a dimmer flash.
I will keep experimenting. Please keep the suggestions coming!
Thanks again,
From a amature photographer's point of view, I have a few suggestions and best part, won't cost a lot. Get three painter's lights (big metal bowl with socket and clamp...about $5.each), get one adjustable (dimmer) extension cord, and three 100 watt natural light bulbs. Get more than 3 for any blown bulbs.
The set up: place one light at about 8 O'clock in front of subject. Place second light at about 4 O'clock in front of subject. Place third light, using the adjustable dimmer extension cord at 1 O'clock, behind subject.
You will obviosly need things like chair backs and other rigging to clamp these lights to.
Then, as others have suggested, you get a tripod and keep the flash either off, or if you have adjustable flash, bounce off ceiling.
Adjust the dimmer and light position to have the shadow effect, can have no shadows, or you can make it look like sun rise or sun set.
Another good thing to have on hand are those sun shades for cars...the ones with the silver face that collapse. You can use these to focus more or less light to get the effect you want.
One other good thing to get are sheets of colored thin plastic matterial that you can place in front of some lights to get different looks. Orange and reds will give more of a summer sunset hue, etc.
The set up takes a little getting used to, but once you learn what you like, you can take fantastic photos like the pros.
I must give credit to professional photographer Erin Manning for the above knowledge.
Good Luck and I look forward to seeing the results.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
turn the flash down. the brighter the flash the darker the background. less flash will make your ambient lighting look brighter and will fill in shadows.
Scott
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Roger and Jim:
Thank you for the additional feedback. You can see what I have come up with in my new post. I think I have some white cardboard somewhere in the house and will try to find it. Shining the halogen lights right at the engine is a recipe for disaster. With an unfinished room (and ceiling) I do need to find a way to reflect more light at the layout.
Roger Bielen wrote: John, I've used a halogen work lamp a number of times to photograph my layout. Instead of shinning it directly on the subject I try to bounce the light off the ceiling, a piece of white cardboard will also work.
John, I've used a halogen work lamp a number of times to photograph my layout. Instead of shinning it directly on the subject I try to bounce the light off the ceiling, a piece of white cardboard will also work.
This is exactly what I do. The halogen work lamp fills the room with so much light, and you won't get harsh shadows from having a light aimed directly at a piece. Tripods are a must, but if you are using a digital camera, try using the macro setting for close ups. And speaking of tripods, Walmart sells very small ones that sit on a table for close up shots. I think they are 6-8 inches high. Excellent for when you need a shot of something in the middle of your layout.
John, I've used a halogen work lamp a number of times to photograph my layout. Instead of shinning it directly on the subject I try to bounce the light off the ceiling, a piece of white cardboard will also work. If you have a white balance adjustment on your camera try different settings for the best color. I also like to use the room lights instead of flash and take a timed exposure. A tripod is needed for this and a remote shutter trigger helps a lot.
With digital I'm able to play around with settings and not spend anything more than time compared to 35mm.
Thank you all for your suggestions. Chief, I like your lights, I may have to look into those. In any event, I will break out the tripod tonight and see if I can get some better results utilizing everyone's suggestions.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
I installed these in my ceiling and they come from Lowes. Not expensive and easy to do. Gives directional lighting on the layout. I installed two sets.
big difference!
I find fluorescents work great most of the time for pictures,
when I want night effect I turn them off and use track lights on dimmer and use GE Reveal bulbs
However the pictures come out too red but with my latest camera there is a setting for "tungsten' which takes some red out and then there is another setting for "custom color" which I set up which also takes some of the red out. This seams to work fine.
The other thing that is important is to use a tripod, no flash and if possible a timer.
Keep up the good work.
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