Here are a couple of pictures that I took of places on my layout where I have used a digital camera to make backdrops. For one or two N-trak modules I think that the idea has real possibilities. I shutter to think about how massive the job will be to do a whole layout this way (especially the large one that I am working on). I have also posted pictures in another forum: The Gauge I have explained most of the procedure in a post entitled "We Need More Posts!" in the N-scale section of the forum. [ 04 November 2001: Message edited by: upguy ]</p>
Looks really good! Did you print them out on regular paper? If so, how is it reinforced? Thanks! Russ Hoffman Valley RR
This is just what I was thinking of doing, but I am a bit far away to get the pics I need I need a shot or two of an intermodal yard, as a backscene for my yard, also an industrial scene (backs of buildings, etc.) next to a small yard. Something like this, but taken square on, instead of at an angle. Anyone live in San Bernardino?
Thank you for the nice comments. I am excited about the possibilities that this technique presents! I have explained most of the procedure I used in the link I gave in the first post. I would rather not type it all again if I can avoid it! Here is a quick review: The pictures are printed on regular paper, patched together with tape, and then taped to the backdrop. I would recommend that you use rubber cement instead of tape, but I was in a hurry and I wasn't thinking about this turning into a final backdrop at the time. Any future work will be done with rubber cement.
I used rubber cement with my photo backdrops, but every summer they dry up and fall off. I would recommend a spray adhesive like 3M Super 77 Spray.
I would be very interested in your techniques. Instead of typing it all out again. Open word, then go to your old post. Copy and paste it to word, then open a post here, and copy and paste it from word to here. Takes only a couple of minutes at most.
Rick, I don't think I can do it the way you suggested. For one thing I am technologically challenged. Just posting pictures to Trainboard took me about 6 months to manage. Secondly, the explanation is not in just one post; but developed over the course of several posts as I experimented. The pictures included in The Gauge's forums show the progression as well. N-joy!
Ed, I am curious to know how you applied the rubber cement. Did you apply it to both surfaces, let them dry, and then put them together? This is supposed to make a more perminant bond. Or did you apply the cement to only one surface before putting the backdrop in place?
I couldn't coat both surfaces because I couldn't tell exactly where the image would end and the painted masonite would begin. I didn't want to mark the location with a pencil because I couldn't get an eraser close enough to the cut paper edge without tearing or smudging it. No matter what I tried, the rubber cement discolored the painted masonite, so I couldn't just rub away the excess. Long story short, I just put some on the masonite in the general area to be stuck. I painted the photo with cement and let both dry. I them stuck them together. Part of the problem could have been the "California Basement" (a Garage) and the temperatures we'd get in there during the summer. You can get a tiny glimpse of the background at this link.
Nice thread! I'm very interested in this as I'm becoming fairly versed in the works of my digital camera. My wife has printed some quality photos of our daughter, so I'm sure I could work with her to do a backdrop (she'd love to get involved in at least one of my hobbies). I'm wondering how you reference the photos so that they come out to the proper scale and print to the correct paper size and all. I'm not sure how that would work. Any Ideas? Did you just use trial and error and take photos in enormous quantities so you'd have plenty to choose from? Also a quick tip. If you use the HP photo paper to print your backdrops on, it will not fade as much as regular paper and should be a fair bit sturdier. Great for a final run! thanks Clem
My method was mostly trial and error. I did try to avoid anything big in the foreground, so there wouldn't be anything large to upset the perspective.
I'm wondering if rather than taping (or gluing) the paper together if some old continuous tractor feed paper might work (most still have some of that kicking around). Using a graphics program, combine the background photos into one continuous horizontal layout, buy a bucket of ink, and print away. Just a thought.
