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Sky Blue or Photo Backdrop

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,406 posts
Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 1:15 PM

Good topic.  I'm torn between which I like better.

I tend to prefer a solid blue sky backdrop since my eyes see it as an artistic barrier where the layout simply disappears into the unmodeled abyss.  And in the abyss, everything is the same.  I paint it blue because that makes the most sense given the model, but I think artists use the color Black to simulate the unseen neutral.

I also model areas with no grades, so my eyes are not expecting to see hills or mountains in the background.

Photobackdrops can be wonderful.  I think they work best when they are representing wide open countryside.  Track up against open backdrop can be done well.

I think with more busier settings, photo backdrops inherently capture only one viewing angle, so buildings, roads, hills, etc have to be positioned correctly on the layout in order to maximize the scene.  When everyhting is lined up at the same viewing angle, it looks great.  But walk around the layout, or if things don't line up with the backdrop, it can look a bit off.

For me, the solid blue backdrop might be less dramatic, but its safer. 

- Douglas

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 219 posts
Posted by Lakeshore Sub on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 11:28 AM

Hi John,

My approach is using the sky blue background(in my case on the back side of vinyl flooring) so there is consistency in the sky color and cut out the sky of the photo backdrops.  This way I can use backdrops from different suppliers without worrying about matching the sky color.   Some of the members of the forum have created their own backdrop photos to get that consistency.

Just a thought.

Scott Sonntag

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 2,572 posts
Posted by John-NYBW on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 11:28 AM

I did both although I used drywall instead of masonite because on a previous layout I had expansion/contraction issues with masonite that cause it to buckle. I used commercial backdrops but I cut off the sky portion and pasted them to the sky blue drywall. That way I don't have to blend the backdrop sky to the painted sky. 

As you indicated, the purpose of a backdrop is to focus attention on the foreground scenery. You don't want your backdrop to be an attention getter. That could happen if you make your back drop too detailed but could also happen if it is too sparse. A plain sky backdrop might work if you are modeling the plains (see Tony Koester's layout) but if you are modeling a hilly/mountainous region or an urban area, a plain sky backdrop might not look right and draw unwanted attention.

There are tricks to get the foreground rivers and roads to blend into the background or using a viewblock to hide the meeting place between the 3D scene and the backdrop. 

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Lancaster, NH
  • 131 posts
Sky Blue or Photo Backdrop
Posted by B Rutherford on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 11:18 AM

I am working on a whole basement, double decked, fall in New England layout and am debating with myself on backdrop material.  Do I use masonite, painted a plain sky blue and allow the focus to be on the models only or do I use photo backdrops from one of the big suppliers?

One of my main concerns with the photo backdrops is getting the foreground to blend with the background both in terms of color as well as rivers and roads disappearing into to backdrop, etc.

I should also probably add that I am extremely OCD so I definitely think the blending could be an issue.  I am the guy who will spend (and have spent) two nights on a small roof for part of a building

I would be really interested to hear pros and cons to both approaches as well as some pictures if you have some to share.  Thank you in advance!

- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH

Central Vermont Railroad 

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