Most of my pictures are overhead shots. Since MR wants ground level shots, I thought I would experiment with the camera angles. Not that my layout is MR worthy, but just to have fun. After the shots, I do think that ground level shots are more realistic.
John, I like what you are doing with the ground level shots. You will notice that we look for these type of photos for the cover of Ztrack. When you get down to ground level, one tends to loose the scale of the trains. It make you think, are you looking at a model or a real train? Then you have to think, what scale is this? I like playing with the focal point to soften the background a bit. On some photos, I like to have the complete scene in focus. But at times, washing out the back ground can enhance the foreground image. That is what I am seeing with your photo. Keep playing and posting those photos! Rob
Shadows... that's what I like about your photo at ground level. At a casual glance I see shadows from the train, the vehicle, the Jersey barrier and the telephone pole. I think it's eye candy like this that really helps to bring a viewer into a scene. Nice work! Also like the red light near the portal... makes it seem like there's life 100 yards away. John Ztrains: Z Scale (1:220) Model Train Layouts
John, That's a really nice shot and entirely MR worthy. Please post more photos as you make them. Cheers,
Thank you guys. The ground level does make out scale look bigger. Nick, its a Rogue GP38 shell with Zthek stainless steel handrails. Its running on a GP35 chassis. I would like to stretch the chassis, but I dont know if the chassis can handle it. The fit is very tight. I am building another GP38 with the correct lenght body. I am just waiting for Tim to make me some custom etch handrails. For that engine, I will have the correct lenght chassis.
Ground level mo' bettah Pardon an N-scaler's intrusion, but I just wanted to concur with your endorsement of low-level photography. It really adds to the realism, as with this shot on my Siskiyou Southern. If you haven't seen it,yet, Dan Lewis has a terrific article in the SEP-OCT/08 N-Scale Railroading on using mirrors for otherwise-impossible shots, especially low-level. All Z best! Scott
and a little help from our Ukrainian friends... Thanks, John. As does Helicon Focus, the depth-of-field program. It's wonderful. Scott
They want to see it from the 6' level so you are going to have to get camera lower ! I like to take pictures when the modules are apart. Get the camera so the lense is partially below the track level. Just crop the picture later. Nice pix there John and N scaler Siskiyu Scott .
As soon as I've found some time and also the sun will shine ( actually we will have snow this weekend), I'll try some ground level pic's. BTW your photo looks great John and also the one from Scott.
The Slug is a Kitbashed GP35 that John built. As for myself if I ever get around to finishing it I'll have a BNSF GP39M (GP30 carbody).
I know, Nick - I gotta do that. I set out one with an IH tractor on another part of the layout and TOFC'd 2 more. Gotta catch up my job jar chores, then get out the camera for some more Daylight sequences. Thanks for the reminder! Scott
