Hi Guys,
I just wanted to share some photos of my layout, where I have used photo backdrops extensively. I’m starting to wonder if I’m getting carried away but on the other hand, I think you’ll have to agree that the photos add a lot of depth. In the 3rd and 4th photos below, some of the photos are ones I shot around the Hartford, CT. area. I used a digital camera and had Wal-Mart create 8" by 10" prints on MATTE paper. I then used a glue stick to fasten the photos to black foam board. Then I used a real sharp X-acto #11 blade to cut them out. The black foam board is so the edge is black rather than white, giving the edge a better look.
I just want to point out that EVERYTHING you see in the 3rd photo below are picture backdrops. I was careful to take some pictures with the corner of the buildings in the foreground rather than taking them straight on.
I hope you enjoy the photos and I’d like some constructive criticism.
Mondo
That looks good! Check this out.
Mondo, that looks great. I have also been using a lot of photos on my backdrop. I just don’t feel I have the artistic skill to paint things well enough. I had read about using foam-board to mount the images but had not as yet tried it myself. It certainly adds some depth to the images.
Jeffrey, where are those low and distant clouds? [:D]
I have been using the pics for getting the feel of rural Illinois into the layout room.
I have to make them first. I’ve been busy converting my Proto 2000’s over to DCC. A couple of them are the old ones, you know, not DCC ready.
Interesting effect. Does it look as good on the layout as in the photo?
The only place the illusion breaks down for me is where the white van is behind the building. There is a marked difference in scale and it really stands out. That might be a place to put an N-scale vehicle.
Hey Mondo,The first and second look real good,I agree with Chip N scale would look good on 3-4.Looks like Hartford to me.
Jeff nice looking,alot of work there.
Great looking backdrops. No criticisms here.
hey mondo,
When I look at the back drops it looks like i’m looking down the street. That is i’m above the street looking down on it from an angle.
Does anyone else see this or is it just me?
-Smoke
Smoke, what you are seeing is undoubtedly the hardest part of using discrete photo images to build up a backdrop. It is almost impossible to get the correct perspective for all the structures. Having gone through the same process, I would say that Mondo has done an effective job.
Nice backdrops!..I get nice buildings for my backdrops by copying & paste from postcards on ebay. I paste them on a Publisher desktop and scale them to HO. Then you can print them on card stock, trim and mount them to your backdrop. You can also do this for signs.
