Hi folks! I have a bit of a dilemma with my first module's backdrop. The module itself is 40x80cm, it has a fixed plywood plate for the background, the plates visible part is 25 cm high: I have now purchased a commercial background photo: But its height is 21cm. So no big deal but I am just wondering what is the best way to "hide" the 4cm blank part which is going to be left after attaching the photo, should I attach the photo down and paint the upper 4cm with light blue color? Or should I attach the photo up and build a small hill/bushes etc on the lower part to conceal the gap? Appreciate your feedback! Regards, Albert EDIT: why I am wondering how to cover so small blank space is that the background photo I bought is representing a quite flat scenery, so building a 4cm hill in front of it is perhaps not so prototypical?
The bushes in the foreground looks a bit big so I think I would put the picture down and then paint or cut off the top end.
I am afraid not as I am using some standard pre-cut sheets for the modules so I would like to stick for the size they come, for consistency. Also I am planinning to build some hills to the following modules so I think I need to have that 25 cm "working space".
Well, if that is the case, I'd paint the backdrop white. Matching blues of the sky can be really difficult. Unless you have the exact match. At least with white the eyes would not be as drawn to the color difference. I am sure others with experiece will chime in here as well.
I would cut out ALL of the sky from the commercial background, and paint sky on your backboard. Cut the sky off right at the top of the mountains-- keep the mou8ntains and foreground. Painting a blue background, slightly whiter or paler right at the horizon, should be easier than about any other approach.
Albert I'll take the other approch on this issue. I would mount the backdrop at the top of your back board, then subltely grade up to it. I would stretch this grade out into the module as far as possible to keep it pretty flat with only a minor rise to the back drop. I live out here in the intermountain west in sunny Utah, and i can tell you first hand that what looks flat in desert photos, is really NOT FLAT!!! Here in the desert southwest, the land has much more variation than what most folks expect. Tony B... Wasatch Z Club
Albert, allow me to offer an idea that some will not agree with: photo editing. Probably you should first decide how you will use your layout and background. If mainly for viewing by guests, your photo backdrop is fine - the eye is very forgiving when viewing a beautiful layout. If, however, your interest is photography, you have the dilemma which you describe. If you have or purchase an inexpensive photo-editing program, like Adobe Photoshop Elements, you can (1) extend exact colors to fill the 'blank' spots, or you can (2) replace the entire background (see my article in NOV/DEC2007 N-Scale Magazine). Editing backgrounds, you can try several different alternatives and change them at will. With anyone who believes that photo editing is "cheating," I respectfully suggest that it's no different than taking a module outdoors to photograph it against a natural background. It just brings nature indoors. If photography is your interest, I also recommend you purchase a depth-of-field program, like Helicon Focus. Scott
for photo editing, GIMP is free in regards to photo editing .... if you don't have, or don't want to pay for adobe photoshop, the GIMP is the free, open source, alternative. GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program i've used it for years and it's fantastic for this kind of thing. you can use the 'clone' tool to create more sky and fill in the gaps. it's available for win, osx, unix and linux. everybody wins.
