There are threads on the Forum of people showing various things on their layout. Two For Tuesday, Weekend Picture Fun for instance.
Am I the only one who looks at all the scenery in the pictures posted, or are there other people also?
Looking at all the picture. Is there an idea ‘to pinch’? Just admire the scene posted. Does a scene ‘transport you into it’.
Am I the only one who does this, or are there others?
I do it all the time, David. I love to look over everything the photo has to offer.
My favorites are the picture threads. I look at the whole picture and admire it. The detail on some of the layouts is astounding. I like to see what is possible. I do take an idea or two away as well.
I take a look at the WPF thread every week. Last edition fetched over 200 views. I also try to contribute when I can. It’s big time gardening season here in Canada, the layout is getting less attention these days.
Simon
I also look at everything, especially the scenery and buildings. To tell the truth, the trains are not the main reason for me to see the pictures – for me it’s to get inspiration on what I may do next for scenery or buildings on my own layout.
In my opinion, Scenery is Key to making a model railroad come to life aside from the models and other details like the signals and decorations, it gives it an Umph that cant be bought but be crafted by hand which can create memories or even spark more ideas, or even making something unique!
A picture is worth a thousand words, well a good one anyway, or it can show a multitude of sins, which is why I raise my figurative hat to all those that are prepared to share their modelling in photos.
Scenery can certainly paint a picture, but then a photo of a project on a work bench can also tell a story.
What I find slightly disappointing is that with the ease photos can be posted on the New Forum compared to the old, is that fflokes aren’t making the most of it! There is no excuse now!
Besides, depending on the thread, the Bear is always on the search for a suitable subject for a Beartoon.
Cheers, the Bear. 
It has been good to read the replies to this Topic, thank you David.
Often when I look at photos of MRs I will think, “Wow, just look at that fantastic Scenery-work, doesn’t that look real, or what”?
It is all brilliant stuff and I enjoy seeing and admiring it, very much. I find it all, very inspiring and will not hesitate to borrow ideas. To me, sharing is one thing it is all about.
However, my layout has not got much beyond Emulsion-painted Baseboards, Green for Vegetation, Grey for Ballast and Light blue for the Backscene.
I hope to utilise the ‘Spray-paint Ballast’ method as shown by Tim Garland in ‘Seaboard Central’, but that is as far as I will go with Ballasting.
Apart from some ready-made Trees and Ground Foam - that is it.
I would be just as content with ‘Plywood Pacifica’, so long as the Trains were running.
Also, I prefer to have a ‘Suggestion of Life’, rather than model Figures and Vehicles everywhere.
My reason being that the model Trains go by and the Figures and Vehicles (usually) stay-put.
This does apply so much in Country scenes, where there is for example, just one Angler or one Vehicle.
One or two Figures and parked Vehicles will be good enough for me.
Many Modelers might feel this is a strange attitude, but I just wondered, “Am I The Only One Or Are There Others”?
Paul.
Keep it simple with figures. Why are they there? What are they doing?
Static figures in a scene I prefer.
A little girl or boy looking into the shop window.
People talking in a group
Sitting on a bench watching the world go by.
Changing the wheel on a automobile
Looking for something in the boot of an automobile.
You get the picture. People busy doing things yet not moving in a scene.
A classic (imo) People coming out of a store stop ------
The people behind cannot get out.
Hi David,
I will have a few model Figures in Key places, and I do want to build my Walthers Suburban Station kit and Family-themed Pub, which would require Scenic-settings.
They would look pretty stupid if it were left marooned on Plywood Baseboards, with no Scenery or Life, to compliment them.
I have large model Trees to hide the square corners of the Backscene.
Figures sat at seats, buying Tickets etc. from the Vending machines, having a Picnic at a Table.
But I won’t overdo it. Paul.
Remember that trees are not all one size. Smaller ones do not grow at the front. 
Smaller trees can hide things behind and still have larger ones in front.
Get that right and you are seeing what you see and not what you thought you saw.
There’s always ideas to be excited about! That’s the beauty of a free and open exchange. Someone is always coming up with a new way of doing things. And why would we be here at all if we didn’t appreciate great modeling? I love 
the photos! Keep them coming! It’s easier now than it ever was to post them!
As Rod wrote; “Every picture tells a story.” I very much enjoy examining every aspect of an image, even the smallest of details, all combined in holding interest, while telling the tale.
Regards, Peter
Not at all. Sometimes a judiciously placed figure with back turned towards the lens, obscurely positioned or faraway can help hide that mannequin look, while enhancing a scene. Low light shots are great at masking the toylike look of figures, softening edges and hiding garishness.
More often than not, I find the absence of figures offers the most realism. Any figure can be made to look better when painted with shadowing and highlighting effects.
Well placed vehicles can be a real boon to a scene. How the color of the vehicle contrasts with the surrounding scenery is important in creating a scene more pleasing to the eye. Wish I’d discovered the good ol’ color wheel earlier. As has been astutely said; “Color is the modeler’s most valuable tool.”
Regards, Peter
Cheers Peter,
That scene on your layout does look good and is something I would strive to achieve myself.
Regards, Paul.
Love the Mickey Mouse head on the wall in that photo. Great detail!
Do you place your figures and vehicles and leave them, or do you move them around from time to time?
Anyone know where I can get scenery other than Hobby Lobby or Amazon? I’m tying to get more scenery tonight and I’m wondering where I can get more since I’m going to attempt to model downtown Des Moines and the surrounding areas with IAIS and UP soon 
