My First Published Digital Photo!

Alan Feb 4, 2001

  1. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    10,798
    460
    127
    Just testing my new camera on my just received BNSF C44

    [​IMG]

    Photographed on a diorama built to test rock casting and for photographing models.
     
  2. ten87

    ten87 TrainBoard Member

    441
    0
    20
    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
    Just testing my new camera on my just received BNSF C44<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Welcome to the new milennium! :D
     
  3. Robin Matthysen

    Robin Matthysen Passed Away October 17, 2005 In Memoriam

    834
    1
    24
    I am impressed Alan. Great focus, depth of field, great subject and of course, a great photographer. What kind of lighting and or filter did you use?
     
  4. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    8,721
    1,110
    119
    I definatley have to get one or wait until Gats updates his and give me his coolpix lol
     
  5. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    10,798
    460
    127
    The pic was taken on my diorama, which I made with the intention of being able to take photos outside in natural light.

    But this was taken with the diorama standing on my layout, and the lighting is by striplights, fitted with "daylight" tubes. The colours appear to be ok with these lights.
     
  6. Gats

    Gats TrainBoard Member

    4,122
    23
    59
    Great shot Alan, and as Ed iterated, welcome to the new millenium! :D

    The lighting has given the subject good coverage without too dark a shadow. You must have a few watts on theose tubes on the ceiling!

    Gary.
     
  7. HelgeK

    HelgeK TrainBoard Member

    192
    0
    20
    Great pic Alan!
    That was a good idea to use a diorama to take detail pictures in outside daylight.
    May I ask what camera did you used?
    -------
    Helge

    SR&WF
    NARA member #5
     
  8. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    10,798
    460
    127
    Thanks for the encouragement, fellas [​IMG]

    Gary, the tube is only about 40 watts, but was only about half a metre from the model.

    Helge, the camera is an entry-level one, Fuji Finepix 1300. It will normally only be used to get things onto the internet "instantly", but I photographed Matt and his girlfriend, and printed the pic on photo quality glossy paper, and it looked pretty good. (But I bet Gary's Coolpix could win hands-down on this) [​IMG]

    I recently finished the diorama, but since then the weather has been atrocious, hence my use of it inside!
     
  9. Ben

    Ben E-Mail Bounces

    283
    0
    20
    Lovely photograph, Alan; looking forward to seeing more!

    Ben
     
  10. rsn48

    rsn48 TrainBoard Member

    2,263
    1
    43
    A suggestion which might improve your photos. It is difficult to tell how far away your rocks are from the track, but I suspect relatively close. They are slightly fuzzy. To get them sharper you need to increase the time (decrease your speed) you are shooting at. I know zero about digital cameras, so I don't know if you can adjust the speed of the film, or whatever medium you are using. But by using slower speed film (or whatever) you can increase the length of time your shot requires. I am assuming you used the smallest F stop available, if not, try increasing the number of the F stop (this decreases the size of the hole, thus requiring more time). Up to a certain point, the longer the better for model train photography - more in focus, greater depth of field.

    Another trick you can try, if you are at the limits of your F stops is to buy a neutral density filter, which reduces the light hitting your film (or whatever). They come in different "stops" and I would try at least "one stop" down. Even if it can't be screwed onto the end of your lens, use masking tape to hold it in place. Since your camera is on a tripod, or stationary some where, the lenght of time the photo takes won't matter. If you are not using a tripod, you should also do that. Even a cheap tripod is better than no tripod (except maybe in the wind) and will also increase the sharpness of your photo.
     
  11. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    10,798
    460
    127
    rsn, I don't know much about digital cameras either :D The one I have, is basically a point-and-shoot one. So no messing about with settings (apart from resolution). As an introduction to digital photography, I just wanted something easy to use, for getting my new products onto my website quickly. Also, the same for my model railroad progress reports [​IMG]

    Previously I had used my 35mm camera, which has a macro lens setting, and f-stop down to f32, for resonable depth of field. (Never got into trying pin-holes) [​IMG]

    But now, instead of waiting to get a film used up, I can take a single shot and get it onto the internet, minutes after completion of the model. :D

    I still use my 35mm camera (an SLR with wide angle and telephoto lenses and a compact zoom) for all other photography.
     
  12. Gats

    Gats TrainBoard Member

    4,122
    23
    59
    Unless you are playing with THE top-end digital cameras such as the Nikon D1, Fuji S1 Pro, or the Canon equivalent (all SLR-based bodies) there are limitations to the adjustments available with digital cameras. It is getting better with each generation, though.
    Alan's new camera is the eqivalent to a mid-price point point and shoot 35mm camera and has a similar range of manual adjustments in regards to shutter and (equivalent) ISO, ie very little, if any.
    The suggestion of using a neutral density filter I can't comment on as I haven't used one. That could be of asistance in forcing a slower shutter speed, but may not adjust the f-stop due to the camera's software.

    Gary.


    Gary.
     
  13. rsn48

    rsn48 TrainBoard Member

    2,263
    1
    43
    The way I conceive of it is that pretend you have an artist with pallette painting a picture. The more time he has, the more detail he will get into the picture. So even if the F stop is at its extreme end, increasing the lenght of time the artist has to paint, will increase the detail in the photo. Even with point and shoot, you can add a neutral density filter, with tape it may not look great and your friends will question your sanity (if they haven't done that already), but it will still work.

    Hand holding a camera is a "no-no;" only sports photographers and railfans running after their missed shots need to hand hold. Using a tripod or something for your camera to rest on will improve matters. Also if your camera has an automatic timer, use it instead of depressing the shutter release with your finger (this will reduce vibration and create a sharper picture).
     
  14. Paul Templar

    Paul Templar Passed away November 23, 2008 In Memoriam

    637
    3
    23
    In many ways, the Railroad Modeller and the Photographer go hand in hand, inasmuch as the photographer, has to have the eyes of an artist to be able to create just the right picture inside the camera. The model railroader also has to be the same kind of artist, to create his or her landscape into a believable picture.
    :cool:
     

Share This Page