Background Elements

I've been wanting to add some background elements to some scenes. Having "miles and miles" of sky on my layout, I did not want to attempt entire photo backdrops. Not believing in my artistic ability, I've been trying some photo cutouts. These are just small attempts. They seem to help add some depth.





Some of these photos are from an angle. The "real" silo is not so "Piza like".














The real Weyauwega has these two water towers. I was going to model these in 3-D. Being a shelf layout, I found that my 3-D models did not work out so well. Two problems: they either cast a shadow on the backdrop, or they had to be located too close to the tracks for the effect I wanted. My compromise is illustrated here. One of these is located much closer to the tracks on the prototype, hence, the different sizes.




Again these were taken from different angles. These photos are somewhat distorted.

 

Looks great to me The farm buildings give it some depth for sure. Just wondering about the 3rd picture, the water tower appears to be tilting. Is this an optical illusion?

 

I think it's a great approach, and one I was planning on implementing ... someday.

What I like most about it is you have the ability to try different looks. Move things around until you like the effect, in other words.

Nice start!

Jim

 

"Again, these were taken from different angles. These photos are somewhat distorted."

 

Hey Narlie, I did not mean to be unpleasant to you. I owe you an apology. I noticed that both the small water tank and the silo are leaning a bit in the pictures. I took the photographs from an angle both times and it lead to distortion. I'll try to reshoot them from the front. My apologies.

 

I think they look great and add the element of depth to the backdrop.

 

Better?

 

Still working on this crossing...

 

Still working on this one. Not sure if it blends just right.

 

I think what you're doing looks great. Looks like anyplace from Upstate New York out through Ohio and your intent of Wisconsin. That's as good a job of doing it as I've seen in a while.

The mountain guys have it easy. It's getting flatland to look right that's rough. I ahve the same problem with the flat desert scenes.

I particularly like the crossing. Not entirely sure how you did that, looks like you bent the 'pavement' up and blended it through the trees? Sure looks good.

 

I think you've done a great job. And thanks for another way at looking a a backdrop

 

On another note, your power lines look really good too.

 

Couldn't agree more!


Thanks fellas! I'll keep working on it.