weekend photo fun 8/24-8/26

[jeffrey-wimberly]

You know? I never thought of that. I'll have to give that a try. My old AC unit was painted blue so it matched the background.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

[Guilford Guy]

Now that is a great shot!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I wish they'd all come out like that. But then I'd be too happy.

[ezielinski]

Instead if ripping on Jeff, why don't you stop looking at this thead.  I'm pretty sure your last post will get you banned from this forum.

Karma is awesome, it's coming for you!

Since you are quick to comment on Jeff's layout, submit some photos of yours (if you even have one) so we can see how "good" yours is. 

[Guilford Guy]

Ugh, looks like we have another "upchuck."

[ac4400fan]

Instead if ripping on Jeff, why don't you stop looking at this thead.  I'm pretty sure your last post will get you banned from this forum.

Karma is awesome, it's coming for you!

Since you are quick to comment on Jeff's layout, submit some photos of yours (if you even have one) so we can see how "good" yours is. 

you said it

Carl.

[PFS]

I have a honest question: Does NS run some of their trains with a single engine?  I ask because I have never been where the NS runs and it seems like I have seen a bunch of you NS modelers do that.  Please clue me in.

When I take my son to visit my parents south of Detroit, we see a lot of single engine NS Trains. I never thought of it until you posted your question.

We see a fair amount of NS intermodel with one unit. And our favorite, they run to and from 'Great Lakes Steel" (now USS) all gons and coil cars, is often powered by one unit, but not always.

[SteamFreak]

Yep, looks like the forum's foremost troll has a major bug up his caboose. Probably can't figure out why Jeff is so universally liked and he isn't.

Great photos everyone. I love the yard C&O Fan, and I'm also a sucker for night shots. Jktrains, does that Good Year sign have a fiber optic chaser around the perimeter?

Jeff, don't let the twerp get you down. Judging by the side-by-side photos, I think your old camera is actually capable of a better photo than the new one, but it's focused on the items in the background. I can clearly read the Plaster of Paris box, and the smokebox door on that junked Bachmann is unmistakable. Does that camera have a macro setting? If you could focus on the engines in the foreground, it should be sharper and less pixelated. I think we'd be able to read the signs above the stalls.

[zgardner18]

I have a honest question: Does NS run some of their trains with a single engine?  I ask because I have never been where the NS runs and it seems like I have seen a bunch of you NS modelers do that.  Please clue me in.

When I take my son to visit my parents south of Detroit, we see a lot of single engine NS Trains. I never thought of it until you posted your question.

We see a fair amount of NS intermodel with one unit. And our favorite, they run to and from 'Great Lakes Steel" (now USS) all gons and coil cars, is often powered by one unit, but not always.

I finally understand, it all makes perfect sence, NS does run some trains with only one engine because most of their fleet is over here in California doing UP and BNSF's job.  Everytime I turn around BNSF has a NS in its lashup.

Maybe NS runs the whole nation:

NS in Montana:

And NS in Cali:

[Guilford Guy]

What, Haven't you not hear?

NS bought every railroad in the world way back in 3247!

Geeez, didn't they teach things in school way back recently... 

 

[jktrains]

JK, I love that Sunoco sign too. That's exactly the type of thing I'm looking for instead of those corny Model Power gas station signs. Please give us at least a summary of how you did it, especially the graphics.

I'll do that in a separate thread so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

jktrains

[jktrains]

Yep, looks like the forum's foremost troll has a major bug up his caboose. Probably can't figure out why Jeff is so universally liked and he isn't.

Great photos everyone. I love the yard C&O Fan, and I'm also a sucker for night shots. Jktrains, does that Good Year sign have a fiber optic chaser around the perimeter?

Jeff, don't let the twerp get you down. Judging by the side-by-side photos, I think your old camera is actually capable of a better photo than the new one, but it's focused on the items in the background. I can clearly read the Plaster of Paris box, and the smokebox door on that junked Bachmann is unmistakable. Does that camera have a macro setting? If you could focus on the engines in the foreground, it should be sharper and less pixelated. I think we'd be able to read the signs above the stalls.

SteamFreak

The Goodyear sign has sequencing and/or chase lights around the perimeter.  The words also sequence on and off.  There are 44 possible patterns that can be selected.  Unfortunately with the time exposure needed to get the pic the sign goes through the entire sequence.  A short video would show it better.  Maybe this weekend.

jktrains

[AltoonaRailroader]

Very nice, how did you get the tail light on the Van to light up? Did you buy it that way or did you engineer it yourself?

 

 

[jep1267]

Jeffrey,

You don't know me and I don't know you but I seen many of your posts, don't let these guys get you down. I see nothing wrong with your pictures...though I'm no Photog expert. Your shots show a decent amount of detail in my opinion. 

As far as I'm aware this post is for showing your work and that's what you're doing. I never saw any requirements that say you MUST post professional shots on WPF. Guys, the last word in the title this thread is fun.  

I hope mine and the other post of encouragement, which I'm sure you got, change mind about not posting anymore pics here.

J.P. 

 

[jktrains]

Jeff,

IMO, the first pic is better in terms of clarity and image quality.  While the subject is out of focus, the background is in focus suggesting that the camera is confused as to what to focus on.  As Steam Freak suggested, does the camera have a macro setting?  You say that the foreground plaster is actually painted gray, and that can be seen in the first pic.  Probably because that camera has a better light meter.  More on that later

If the camera is focusing on something that is not the subject, then trick the camera.  Point it at the subject and get the camera to focus on it, then while holding the focus move the camera angle to what you desire and shoot. In the first pic, even though the subject is out of focus, the sign lettering is slightly more clearer than in the second pic.  More than likely the result of the higher resolution of the camera.  If the camera doesn't have a macro setting than take a full frame picture at the highest resolution and use your editing software to crop the photo to what you want.  Your new camera is sacrificing resolution for distance from the subject.  With digital photography resolution is everything.

Now about the contrast and light metering.  You need to understand how a light meter functions and what its trying to do.  The light meter measures the light reflected from the objects in frame and adjusts the settings to achieve what is known as "middle gray".  Middle gray is also known as 18% gray meaning that it reflects 18% of incident light.  Your old camera does a much better job of this as evident that the foreground actually shows gray.  Your new camera can't handle the large light refective area in the foreground.  To compensate for it I would bet that it makes the image subject darker than what you want.

You state that both pics received the same editing.  Editing the pics before posting makes diagnosing problems difficult.  Why don;t you post the unedited pics in a new, separate thread.  It would be interesting to see the raw image.  All other the images I posted this weekend are unedited.

Lastly,  you still need to remove the clutter from the frame.  In the first pic you can still see the plaster carton, Elmers glue, spray bottle scenery bags.  Get rid of this junk.  It not only makes the pic look bad and distracts from the subject, it can also cause the camera the be confused as the light metering and focus.  Though with them in the picture it's like playing "Where's Waldo" - what can you find in the picture that doesn't belong

I would stick with the old camera and spend your time experimenting with it changing f-stop and exposure setting and how it focuses.  Lastly, does the camera have a timer.  The last time that could be causing problems is camera shake from pushing the shutter button.  Using the timer eliminates that jiggle.  My exposure can range from 1 sec to 8 sec.  You can't hold a camera still for that long.  Also, use a tripod when possible.

jktrains

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

J.P.: After I left the thread yesterday I got a very surprising number of PM's and emails of encouragement to come back and post again. I finally did, sometime between 10 and 11 pm after I had cooled down. I was unaware of how many people here enjoy my posts.

[jktrains]

Very nice, how did you get the tail light on the Van to light up? Did you buy it that way or did you engineer it yourself?

Excepty for the signs and the street lights everything else was built either from a kit or from scratch.  The van had mini leds installed.  The black car on the other side of the grade crossing has 2 grain of rice bulbs installed in the headlights.  The gas station sign is scratch built.  It is only about an 1/8" thick.  The grade crossing flashers are built from an Oregon Rail Supply kit.  The pop machines were bought off of someone here on the forum with white LEDs installed inside them.  With the exception of the sign, none of it is extremely difficult to do, but the results exceed the effort required.

jktrains

[gear-jammer]

Glenn,

Great layout.  Hope to see more in the future.

Sue

[cf-7]

 [[Guilford Guy said -  "Ugh, looks like we have another "upchuck."]]

Hey; I didn't do anything!

 

[conrail92]

I think maybe this topic should be deleted now since it really isn't the weeked anymore and we don't need more fighting.

[Anonymous]

Yep, looks like the forum's foremost troll has a major bug up his caboose. Probably can't figure out why Jeff is so universally liked and he isn't.

Hmmmm..... Maybe because Jeff doesn't swear at people and call them idiots!

EDIT: Maybe you're right,  Conrail92.

---

Anyway......

NS rules the world! You're right GG, talk about bad education!
 

[AltoonaRailroader]

I might try too scrounge around and get a arial of the full layout ;) If you go to my layout website in my sig you can find the track plan and some videos ect... Not everything is up to date though things have changed a bit.

Personally this is something I would like to see more of on the WPF. Close ups and small shots are good, but I would really like to see more pictures of entire layouts, where possible, and shots that are taken back so you can get a good idea of what and how the layout is setup.

 Thanks everyone, every photo, regardless of quality, inspires those who have nothing yet; but still dream and live vicariously through the work of others.

 

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I agree. I can't take a photo of my entire layout though; there's a backdrop running down the middle that makes it impossible.

[jesrr]

J.P.: After I left the thread yesterday I got a very surprising number of PM's and emails of encouragement to come back and post again. I finally did, sometime between 10 and 11 pm after I had cooled down. I was unaware of how many people here enjoy my posts.

Jeff, I am glad you decided to post again, I have been out of the hobby for awhile and now that i'm back in the hobby, I enjoy your post, especially the detail you put into a scene. I am glad you reported the troll. Now i'm going over to the practice forum to  learn how to post pictures.

[SD60M]

I got these coming through town at dusk last night.

Waiting to proceed

Crossing Main Street after sunset

Caught in the evening light

 

FYI - These are all straight from the camera.  No editing, retouching or photoshopping to add elements or change the characterisitcs of the image.

JKtrains i love the night pics! I have a question though how did you get the beacons to light up on the C30-7?

[selector]

jktrains, I would like to offer my compliments on your detailed post to Jeffrey.  It was a decent, and patient thing for you to do.  I am sure that if he studies the information and experiments, he is sure to offer even better photos to the membership.

-Crandell

[jeffrey-wimberly]

IMO, the first pic is better in terms of clarity and image quality.  While the subject is out of focus, the background is in focus suggesting that the camera is confused as to what to focus on.  As Steam Freak suggested, does the camera have a macro setting?  You say that the foreground plaster is actually painted gray, and that can be seen in the first pic.  Probably because that camera has a better light meter.  More on that later

If the camera is focusing on something that is not the subject, then trick the camera.  Point it at the subject and get the camera to focus on it, then while holding the focus move the camera angle to what you desire and shoot. In the first pic, even though the subject is out of focus, the sign lettering is slightly more clearer than in the second pic.  More than likely the result of the higher resolution of the camera.  If the camera doesn't have a macro setting than take a full frame picture at the highest resolution and use your editing software to crop the photo to what you want.  Your new camera is sacrificing resolution for distance from the subject.  With digital photography resolution is everything.

The camera doesn't have a macro setting. I wish it did, it would be much easier to work with it. I've been experimenting with the Aiptek camera for six years. There's no way to make hardware adjustments on it, only adjustments through software and those only work when the camera is connected to the computer and must be reentered each time it's connected. I don't remember the rating for the camera but I know it's way less than one megapixel. Also there is no way to set the resolution on the beast. The camera is finefor distance shots of eleven feet away and farther, but is no good for close-up work.

Now, as to the new camera. The settings on it are very, very limited. Comparing it to even a median quality camera is like comparing the Bac hmann EZ Command to the Digitrax DCC system with radio control and extra boosters. There is no comparison. The only lighting settings are for home, office and daylight. I get the best results with the office setting which is also the default setting. All other settings are for the cameras video mode, which in AVI format gives low-quality web-cam images at best. There's no way to change the focus and exposure settings are non-existant. The camera adjusts the settings itself on a shot by shot basis and no two are ever the same. If I had the money to get a decent camera, something like five megapixal or better, I would. Any camera I get would have to be able to work with Windows 98, being that's what I use.

Check your PM's.

[jktrains]

SD60M

First of the C30-7 is an Atlas, not a BLI.  I've installed an NCE DA-SR in it for DCC.  The rotary beacon is a Details West beacon with a grain of rice bulb inserted inside the amber plastic lens.  It is then connected to the decoder and programmed for a rotary beacon.

I've seen some of your videos on youtube.  Based on them, your other postings and your avatar, it looks like your SD40-2s are BLI units.  The problem with BLI and other sound equipped locos is that there are no extra lighting functions on the decoder.  As far as I can figure the only way to add such an effect on them is the add a separate decoder than can provide the lighting effects.

The beacon isn;t hard to do, just takes patience.  It makes for a really neat effect to have 3 or 4 or 5 of them on in a dimly lighted room.

jktrains

[SpaceMouse]

Jeff,

How about taking a picture of your new camera with your old so we can see it. We might be able to give a few ideas on how to get the results you are looking for. For instance, You want you shot to focus at a particular point, but the camera wants to focus on a object in the center of the screen.

Center the camera on the object you want to focus and use your software to crop and center the picture the way you want it. that's what I had to do with my 1.2 mp camera. I had to force the focus. Let's see if we can't solve the issue in another way.