Photographing and Creating a Back Scene

Discussion in 'Scenics' started by Gary, Mar 12, 2018.

  1. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Yesterday (11/03/18 - Sunday in Oz) I went searching for that illustrious Aussie scene that I could use for a back scene on my NSWGR inglenook layout I'm currently building.

    First of all, I had to find a suitable location...

    This is where Google Maps comes into it's own. By searching over google maps, you can find what looks suitable, which may be the case or may not be. The simplest way to find out is to drop down to street view. I picked a location approximately 65 km (40 miles) from home for this thread. On google street view, it looks like this...

    street view douglas park.jpg
    Whereas, on arrival and in panoramic view, it looks like this... ...and no, I didn't cut down the sapling ! Please note that I have used the 'panorama' feature on my phone for this pic below.

    IMG_4852 reduced p1mrc.jpg

    So, to get it to a reasonable back scene, it needs to be cropped. This is done by using Windows Paint3D. I chose to take out some foreground and sky for this example...

    IMG_4852 reduced & cropped p1mrc.jpg
    Now, I would argue the point that the trees to the left and right are too large for a backscene, so by using Gormo's method of using Photofiltre 7, these can be removed, or you can simply crop them out.
    Gormo's method : http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/episode-36-creating-backgrounds.1005/

    So, I have removed the trees and added a few clouds using Photofiltre 7... (free to download)

    IMG_4852 reduced & cropped trees removed clouds added.jpg
    Now it's starting to look like it will work !

    The next step is to use Gormo's method of converting this to individual pics so that it can be printed on a household printer, either inkjet or laser. The method used is detailed in Gormo's Shed video here : http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/episode-35-print-your-own-backgrounds.996/ (free to download)

    This isn't very hard hard to do, you just need to follow the few steps.

    This is how it would look in PosteRazure to suit an 8' long back board... Each of the individual red lines indicates the joins in the sheets it will be printed upon. As you can see, this back scene image will use 12 sheets of A4 paper.

    Untitled.jpg
    To which this can be saved as a PDF for future printing, all on the program.

    I would highly recommend watching Gormo's great videos and having a play with the different programs. If I can produce a back scene, so can you.

    Now I won't show you the scene I have chosen for my layout, you'll have to wait until it is installed !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  2. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Looking good Gary
     
  3. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Very interesting, thanks for that :thumbup::tophat:
     
  4. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    It will be good to see how the finished backscene looks! Try as I might I couldn't get the programmes to work for me, so I gave up and bought one for my layout.

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
  5. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Looks like a great way to provide a big range of back scenes. Will certainly try and give it a go.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  6. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    If you have a camera with the panoramic feature included, all you then need is a tripod. The images I used above were taken with my I phone, using the panoramic feature and all hand held. Give it a go and see what sort of results you get. If it doesn't work, well the programs are a great tool to play around with !!

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Looks the biz Gary. And guarantees you something individual. Good work.

    Toto
     
  8. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Thank you all. :thumbs:

    I do have a range of scenes that I photographed last weekend. Maybe I could make a quick quid from a few of my backscenes.... ;)

    Cheers, Gary.
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  9. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    You would certainly get a sale to me mate. I am a complete numpty when trying to work these photo editing programmes :facepalm:.

    Pete.
     
  10. Vinylelpea

    Vinylelpea Full Member

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    Thanks for posting this Gary, will come very handy when I'm doing my local branch line.

    hugs and kisses :avatar: Phil
     
  11. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Is Pete building an Aussie layout...?? :scratchchin:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  12. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    :avatar:
     

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