Kingsbridge Branch N

When I was doing the backscenes for Avonwick, the advice I got was to fade them to avoid dominating the layout. Looking closely at the pictures, you might want to edit the top one to remove the electricity wires that run up the hill.

Yeah, I agree, these will look good but the wires stopping when the layout 'starts' might spoil the effect somewhat.

 

Good choices though, I like the fact you've got trees that aren't all summery green.

How long will the final backscene be? I have to say it looks very good - do you use any particular programme to 'tie' the pictures together, or do the printing company do that?

I will be editing these a bit in photoshop to remove 1 or 2 bits of modern Kingsbridge! Having done a set of contact prints to check up there was a bit of mis-alignment so I have done 2 further sets today.

I used a good tripod and the "stitch assist" function on the camera to create the long panoramas, each single shot above is made up of 3 individual photos, joined in the camera. It overlays the edge of the previous shot over the next to help you. Some cameras allow for full 360 degree views. I found a good fixed position about 1/4 mile away from the old station so a bood zoom lens was needed too.. Sadly I now need another high point to do the next bit but the available spots are mostly in buildings!

For a complete view of this technique see

The pics will be toned down a bit as suggested as well. Layout is autumn set so the leaf colors are perfect for the next 2 weeks, meaning I will be busy!

The total length of the pictures above is about 4 ft long each, allowing for the curving corners. Tieing the pictures together can be done by a number of computer programmes. Most descent print companies can adjust and edit things, but this often incurs a hefty bill for the time.

I want to see how the new 3D camera and print technologly could be applied to layouts, imagine the depth of field you could get with 3D bsckscenes. I also thought about the possibilities available from OLED flatscreens, showing carefully looped widescreen HD video. Image a backscene that moved too! It would give great opportunity for "reverse" views, e.g. Dawlish seafront viewed from the town, with real waves and sun movement. Combined with a relatively simple lighting rig you could do great simulated days with a good timetable.

As an additional thought, if you are going to tone them down I would suggest that you want to create the complete backscene as one item so that the colours are consistent throughout.