Although my layout is basically complete (maybe not) I feel that it needs some kind of element(s) in the background to tie everything together.
As the industrial park sits near a river I was thinking of perhaps using a ready made photo backdrop that might show both trees and rives.
Can anyone provide me with some web sites that do backdrops?
Thanks
BobS
One of the absolute bests from the whole internet
is right here at Big Blue. Gary S put together this how-to on painting a backdrop from photos, and luckily, he includes some light industry that would be appropriate for an ISL.
See <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=5689">viewtopic.php?f=53&t=5689</a><!-- l --> for more. It's a long thread with lots of pictures, but well worth the read.
Andrew
Andrew has it absolutely right. try it yourself, you don't need to be an artist to make a backdrop that looks reasonable, and if you mess up, do it again.
You will have the pleasure of doing it and may amaze yourself. I know I did, and so did railcop. I used craft paints from walmart and Hobby Lobby.
Andrew and Charlie-
Thanks for the replies and info about painting your own backdrop.
That is something I didn't even think about.
Thanks again
Bob
I vote for the photo backdrop since its a real life photo that adds realism that IMHO can not be matched.
Yeah I'm with Larry on this. On small layouts where you are very close to the backdrop I prefer the photos as well.
Larry,Mike- How would you go about this? Take your own photos or use ready made photo backdrops?
Any sites you can suggest?
Thanks
Bob
I would take photos of the area I wanted-in my case I would like Lake Erie as my backdrop since Slate Creek Industrial Park is along the shores of Lake Erie in Toledo. I meant to take the needed photos last summer but,we all know how plans get pushed aside until "tomorrow" then the day after that and then next week..
You may want to check these.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://backdropjunction.com/hourbanindustry.html">http://backdropjunction.com/hourbanindustry.html</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://railroadbackdrops.com/products-page/backdrop-industries/">http://railroadbackdrops.com/products-p ... ndustries/</a><!-- m -->
Commercial backdrops are quicker but doing your own lets you customize it.
Larry,Mike-
Thanks for the additional info and links
BobS
Tyson Rayles Wrote:Commercial backdrops are quicker ...
...and a whole lot more expensive! :?
River Witch 14 Wrote:Although my layout is basically complete (maybe not) I feel that it needs some kind of element(s) in the background to tie everything together.
As the industrial park sits near a river I was thinking of perhaps using a ready made photo backdrop that might show both trees and rives.
Can anyone provide me with some web sites that do backdrops?
Thanks
BobS
I looked where you suggested but did not find any links to photos of your layout.
Do a Google search for 'backdrops for model railroads." There's alot of info on how using both painted & photo backdrops. Had a good one on my broken computer that showed how to do it from internet pix. You might look at Bing "Bird's Eye view to see Lake Erie as a background..
Brakie Wrote:I vote for the photo backdrop since its a real life photo that adds realism that IMHO can not be matched.
One thing to consider with this approach is that sometimes a photorealistic backdrop is more detailed than a "3-foot rule" layout. That is to say, a photo can distract with too much detail, as compared to the level of detail on the model railroad.
I believe Gary made this observation in one of his threads.
Andrew
MasonJar Wrote:Brakie Wrote:I vote for the photo backdrop since its a real life photo that adds realism that IMHO can not be matched.
One thing to consider with this approach is that sometimes a photorealistic backdrop is more detailed than a "3-foot rule" layout. That is to say, a photo can distract with too much detail, as compared to the level of detail on the model railroad.
I believe Gary made this observation in one of his threads.
Andrew
That is true but,you add details to the layout-I call this the "Hollywood " effect..You focus the viewers eyes on the actors (in our case the trains) and the detailed foreground scene not the background scene.
BTW and IMHO a 3' rule layout needs to be upgraded to a detailed layout and with today's materials,how to videos on you tube and with minimum skills one can build a decent looking layout.