Motley And this is the other corner with trees now.
And this is the other corner with trees now.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
jpmorrison mike thats looks great i need to come over and see it jeff m
mike thats looks great i need to come over and see it
jeff m
Hey Jeff, how's it going? Long time no speak. How's your layout going? You're welcome any time to come see the improvements on my layout.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Thanks Derek.
I created a small hill and planted some trees to cover the hole in the wall going to the extension room.
I think the backdrops look great Micheal.
Once everything is done, I think it will really make the scene.
HObbyguy MotleyThen cut up small pieces of the double sided tape. And placed them around the edges and in the middle. What type of tape did you use? I have some heavy reiinforced carpet tape that I use for odd MRR purposes- sticks like crazy (semi-permanent). Did you put any tape along the length of the middle and bottom of the backdrop, or just along the top and sides?
MotleyThen cut up small pieces of the double sided tape. And placed them around the edges and in the middle.
I used the semi permanent Scotch brand double tape. Just add small pieces to the middle and along the bottom too.
Huntington Junction - Freelance based on the B&O and C&O in coal country before the merger... doing it my way. Now working on phase 3. - Walt
For photos and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
Since there is a lot of rich color in my backdrop, It might be a little more difficult for me to have the kind of contrast that you achieved. I figure my backdrop commands a little more. Meaning my background will have to basically have the same tone of colors with what is on my layout. If you can see that dot in the middle of the sky its a LED. I put a few of them around the backdrop to add streetlights or stars.
JC
Ya I went crazy once it was delivered, was too excited.
What I did was first used some pins to hold it up temporarily. Once I got it adjusted correctly. I removed the pins for a small section. Then cut up small pieces of the double sided tape. And placed them around the edges and in the middle. Then repeated this process from left to right, until I reached the end.
This paper is very heavy so it didn't wrinkle up on me when I removed the pins.
HObbyguyYou received it, hung it up, and took these pics all in one day? And you say that you used double-sided tape. I was planning to go with rubber cement which is the most recommended method, but you have me thinking twice about it.
I used Industrial strength Velcro. Can pick it up at Lowes or Home Depot. You'll be able to make adjustments if needed.
HObbyguy You received it, hung it up, and took these pics all in one day? And you say that you used double-sided tape. I was planning to go with rubber cement which is the most recommended method, but you have me thinking twice about it.
You received it, hung it up, and took these pics all in one day? And you say that you used double-sided tape. I was planning to go with rubber cement which is the most recommended method, but you have me thinking twice about it.
When Michael sets his mind to something, there is no stopping him. I, too, cannot believe what he accomplishes in a day.
Regarding rubber cement, it just seems to permanent. Michael has convinced me that double sided tape is the way to go.
Rich
Alton Junction
Looks great!
My new backdrop should arrive within two weeks (again from backdrop warehouse). Hope that mine matches up half as well as yours does.
Yes the site is crazy- but lots of options for size, scaling, etc. Almost too many choices.
Doughless This thread is very inspiring. The backdrops from Backdrop Warehouse was discussed in an earlier thread and I believe that'll be the way I go. All of the photos in this thread show some great scenes. I think Joe, Mike, and Rich all make good points. All of Motley's scenes are great, but I think the scenes that show a pasture or field before the mountains emerge are the most effective. The transition helps to push the mountains even further away.
This thread is very inspiring. The backdrops from Backdrop Warehouse was discussed in an earlier thread and I believe that'll be the way I go. All of the photos in this thread show some great scenes.
I think Joe, Mike, and Rich all make good points. All of Motley's scenes are great, but I think the scenes that show a pasture or field before the mountains emerge are the most effective. The transition helps to push the mountains even further away.
I agree with everything that is being talked about here.
I have spent the last few years searching and yearning for a backdrop for my Dearborn Station simulation. I have wanted to have a background that depicts downtown Chicago in the 1950s. Some of the city scenes from Backdrop Warehouse come close to being suitable, but the buildings are not 1950ish, and they don't look like downtown Chicago.
Over this time period of searching and yearning, Michael has been a constant source of badgering (LOL) but also encouraging. I finally took some action to get closer to my final objective.
For some time now, I have been drooling over a cover photo on Warbonnet magazine that captures downtown Chicago in color in the late 1950s from the Board of Trade building on the west to the Michigan Avenue hotels on the east. I was able to purchase single user rights to this photo which is of very high resolution measuring 10" H x 13" wide.
I had the photo cropped to 4" x 13" to eliminate the sky portion and much of the ground clutter keeping only the building skyline. This cropped photo is now in the process of being blown up into a 24" x 78" backdrop. I hope to get it later today, and I will share the results. What I hope for is a slightly hazing background to compliment, not compete, with the foreground.
If successful, this could be another way to go with backdrop scenes.
Mike I did that just for you man. Thought you'd like it.
Motley I played around with my camera settings, and took this one. I think it looks better now.
I played around with my camera settings, and took this one. I think it looks better now.
Michael,
Hey, now you are cheatin'. Everyone knows adding Grande SDs to a pic will make any old thing look outstanding
While the backdrop is hazy looking, it looks better than the photos. I just quickly shot these with my camera on auto. And my layout lighting isn't that great. I will be adding another flourescent fixture soon.
So here I am browsing their web site, thinking, it's a shame all the ones that are actually FROM anywhere near me are all fall scenes. Then I found the ones that are literally just a few minutes from my house, the shots from Krumsville and New Tripoli. Nice, to have an actual local area backdrop without attempting to make my own panoramic phot and getting some place to print it out. Owner is definitely on the 'eclectic' side. Crazy web site, but if you keep looking you can find nearly anything you could ever want for a backdrop. And I see they offer two styles, one at a lower resolution so it appears more distant and less distinct. I'd have to try both styles out - in a photograph it might look great, but in person, the higher res might be distracting.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Another thought about pushing something into the distance. Even in home landscaping, a neighboring house appears further away if the homeowner can plant even a small tree in between the two houses. Just having something for the eye to see, even a young tree, pushes the other house into the background, even though the houses, especially in new subdivisions, are quite close.
On our layouts, small trees or tall shrubs in between the tracks and the background will help push the hazy backdrop photo even further into distance. Maybe even photos of trees that match more of the foreground colors.
- Douglas
That looks great, might be the way I'll have to go. Sure looks way better than just a plain blue backdrop, which is about all I'd be able to do myself. That exact one is almost not too far off for many areas around here, although it would need ot be a little more distant. I know they have lots of options there, I'm sure they have one that will look right for my area.
Joe,
Yep, that's a good one to show how that works, as well as the one right above it that Rich mentioned. Yes, it's not what we would really see, but it's closer to real than what would happen it depended on one set of color toning prevailing from near to far.
Like a lot of artistic tricks in the scenery toolbox, it's both hard to explain and easy to do once you do figure it out.
I went back to take another look at your pictures. This one really caught my eye. It's outstanding! JC
mlehman dominic cIf I may say though, a better color blend of green from your backdrop to your layout will really benefit your continuation between the two. From your pictures, it seems that your layout has a more robust green as opposed to a very light, almost black & white shade of green on the backdrop. Joe, I thought the "match" between the two was enough of a mismatch to work for me. The backdrop looks derived from the foreground, but washed out by distance. This is an effect often used in painted backdrops. What it does is it causes the viewer to concentrate on the foreground and ignore the distance, although remain conscious of it. The foreground "pops" out and hold the attention of the viewer, which you want on your 3-D models, not on your nice, but still 2-D backdrop. Michael's making this call, so he knows what effects he is he trying to achieve. I know it's a matter of taste to a certain degree, but everyone does pretty much agree it works visually. Just wanted to explain why it worked for me.
dominic cIf I may say though, a better color blend of green from your backdrop to your layout will really benefit your continuation between the two. From your pictures, it seems that your layout has a more robust green as opposed to a very light, almost black & white shade of green on the backdrop.
I thought the "match" between the two was enough of a mismatch to work for me. The backdrop looks derived from the foreground, but washed out by distance. This is an effect often used in painted backdrops.
What it does is it causes the viewer to concentrate on the foreground and ignore the distance, although remain conscious of it. The foreground "pops" out and hold the attention of the viewer, which you want on your 3-D models, not on your nice, but still 2-D backdrop.
Michael's making this call, so he knows what effects he is he trying to achieve. I know it's a matter of taste to a certain degree, but everyone does pretty much agree it works visually. Just wanted to explain why it worked for me.
Mike
I see your point. It's a good technique. And I will consider it on my new layout. I purchased the A & C from Backdrop Warehouse to complete the scene. Please understand me, your layout looks remarkable with that backdrop! If that's what you were going for in terms of technique, you totally succeeded. The owner, Norman, who took the picture for my drop really captured the picturesque scene of the autumn in my area. I can honestly say that I live less than an hour from where my scene actually is and visit there quite often. So I tend to want to include the background a little more than conventional ways. And since there is not much division, I will create foam board or plaster hills with the appropriate ground cover and trees.
Mike, I agree with you, and I am sure that Michael will too. He wanted that background to have a muted effect so as not to take the viewer's attention away from the layout itself.
That said, take a look at the fifth photo of Michael's backdrop. The contrast is stunning!
Hello
That's a very nice drop. I too have one from Backdrop Warehouse. A beautiful autumn view of Western Pa. Isn't the owner a trip? If I may say though, a better color blend of green from your backdrop to your layout will really benefit your continuation between the two. From your pictures, it seems that your layout has a more robust green as opposed to a very light, almost black & white shade of green on the backdrop.
Joe C
Michael, awesome backdrop. Looks great. Really nice choice of backdrop to go with your layout.
I also use a backdrop from Backdrop Warehouse (desert scene). Here's a pic:
Yesterday I removed all the old lichen and I'm replacing it with Silflor tufts. So I'll have to get a new photo
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
thanks Michael .: looks great and a good choice ...Jerry
Amazingly good choice in matching the backdrop so it blends with your foreground. That's often the toughest part, getting the two, 3-D and 2-D, to merge so that the viewer can't tell the difference.
Motley Actually its a strip club. Rich I didn't know I was torturing you. I feel bad now. I better get working on it soon. And I will. The Oil Refinery is next.
Actually its a strip club.
Rich I didn't know I was torturing you. I feel bad now. I better get working on it soon. And I will. The Oil Refinery is next.
And the crossover tracks in the coach yard.
How about a preview of things to come, Michael?