This past summer Classic Toy Trains Senior Editor Roger Carp and Photographer Dennis Brennan paid a visit to my home train layout. The result is a Feature Article in the November 2012 issue of Classic Toy Trains Magazine. Both Roger and Dennis were very friendly and easy to get along with. Both were impressed with my small 027 Lionel layout and the half day photo shoot and interview went by quickly. Here are a few photos.
That’s me David Smith with CTT Senior Editor Roger Carp and Photographer Dennis Brennan
Here Roger and Dennis discuss the layout
Setting up a shot
The camera and lighting setup
Viewing one of the shots on a computer
Roger Carp author of “The Art of Lionel Trains” signed my copy and posed for a photo.
i’d be interested in knowing more about their photo setup. did you notice what camera/ lens they used? what sort of exposures? that’s a monster light they brought, but i also prefer shooting with a large single lamp which i sometimes slightly diffuse if i find i have a reflection i just cannot solve any other way.
add my congratulations on getting your layout in print.
cheers…gary
Thank you for all the great comments. Since getting back into model trains about 6 years ago, this enjoyable hobby has provided me with so much fun and satisfaction. I enjoy all facets of the hobby, reading and learning from the magazines, books and forums, designing, building and wiring the layout, going to train shows and aquiring each special piece, repairing old postwar equipment, sharing what I have learned through the magazines and forums, meeting other like minded train fans, and finally running, running and running all those trains. What fun!
Here is an overall shot that didn’t appear in the magazine.
Dennis Brennan and I had a wonderful time with David and Theresa Smith. They were terrific hosts and presented us with a fantastic layout, loaded with neat details, cool scenes, and superb modeling. We had fun talking with them and taking the pictures. Going on the road and meeting folks like the Smiths makes my job at CTT a delight and is the reason I never get tired of packing the suitcase, heading to a near or distant destination, and covering a layout. Then I have the pleasure of writing about the layout and the person or family that built and operates it.
Thanks David and everyone else in CTT. If any of you have layouts with scenery–no matter what the size of your O or S gauge layout, please share it with us. You may be featured in the future!!
HA! They should have posted your CTT avatar up in the top corner of the article!, After reading your online posts I was convinced that I could someday build a small O gauge layout instead of just a temporary floor layout.
After reading the CTT article (I did not put 2+2 together, that it was your layout!) I became determined to follow through with a small track plan, I was totally thrilled with the idea of a small layout that could look great and not take over my entire home…Great Job & Congratulations on the feature article!
