Playing around with my new camera made me come to the quick realization of how dramatic an effect a good backdrop can have on a layout. I confess that I didn’t put much thought into a backdrop on my layout other than to hastily put up some sky blue foam board. It reflected in my pictures, so I digitally doctored some up to create a “before and after” demonstration. I only did the sky in these shots, but I’m sure that other things (like trees and distant mountains) would improve the effect even more: BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER So as I take this lesson to heart for future layouts, I wanted to share it with all who may be in planning/early construction stages. MAKE SURE YOU PAY PROPER ATTENTION TO YOUR BACKDROPS!
For me, backdrops are very important. I'm always amazed at how many layouts are out there with no backdrop or bad backdrops. To push your illustration further, I like backdrops that no only have clouds but reflect the territory you are modelling, so hills or mountains or industries, or wheat fields, or what have you. I am supplying a link to Backdrop Warehouse. I haven't used this company as in Canadian dollars it is even more expensive and I need about 65 feet of the stuff, I used Faller's. However, this link will take you to layouts that are before and after and you will see what a difference a good backdrop makes. Once the page opens, scroll down and you will see layouts before and after the backdrop. http://www.backdropwarehouse.com/photos.htm
Bruce, Nice demo. I've doctored many a shot to put in a backdrop. This time I'm doing it right, so I won't be doctoring so much. I need about 125 feet, so it's going to take a while. I tend to use my own photos, but I'm "out" right now, and waiting for a trip back East in late May to shoot a few more. Shooting photos for backdrops requires some care. If I were modeling the West, I'd have endless choices of varied landscapes. But since I'm modeling East, it's more of a challenge. I want variety, and most of the time I achieve variety through the play of foreground and background elements. But backdrops can't have much foreground detail, as that detail will usually be too large for scale. Yet no foreground detail makes for a dull photo! One way around this dilemma, I found, is to look for interesting geographical features--a bay, a river snaking along, a mountain notch--or color variations. I'd like to point out that you can often find (or create) backdrops that "reflect the territory you are modeling" (to quote Rick) in very different places. While you're not likely to find "Red Rock Canyon" in Massachusetts, I have found "New England valleys" in Colorado, Oregon and New Mexico (and also even Alaska). Pete
That is an interesting link Rick has supplied. Unfortunately not all backgrounds there come in sizes for N gauge. I too think backgrounds are essential to complete the picture. Some model railroaders say backgrounds take attention away from the trains. In my opinion they just make trains look better as in Bruce's photos above
Interesting topic and it does demonstrate how effective a detailed backdrop adds to the overall effect of the layout. One day I will have to gain the courage to add details to my backdrop. Robin, good to see you havent seen you online in a while.
My layouts have always been let down by poor or non-existant backdrops. I will try to do better with my new layout
I am in the process of planning a 12'x14' layout for a spare bedroom. I do want to make good use of backdrops. Thanks for these shots, which reinforce the importance of doing it well. Are there any folks who can give some pointers on creating reasonable backdrops at reasonable cost assuming the "artist" is not very skilled?
Actually, Bruce, your first shots with the blue foam weren't unrealistic. As evidence, take a look at the picture below. Your Shot (Your Layout) My Shot (Alliance Yard-12/19/02) Can you tell a difference?? As you can see, your blue foam looks exactly like the clear blue sky over Alliance yard north of Ft. Worth, Texas. Back drops are definitely very important, but I think the photo above demonstrates that "simple" can be just a realistic (if not more) than a very complicated or expensive backdrop. [ 22. March 2004, 22:49: Message edited by: Hoss ]
Thanks Hoss, maybe I didn't do that poor a job after all. But then again, you probably have to look at the "big picture" to better appreciate what I'm talking about: Aside from the distortion (caused by who knows what when I reduced and saved the image for Rail Images), the seams can be a little hard to look past... I also "removed" a seam for the first image, so even that was not a true representation of the rather sorry state of backdrops on my layout.
Certainly seams are a distraction. My only point was that it isn't always necessary to go all out on the backdrop. Of course a lot of it depends on what kind of terrain your modeling, but many times something as simple as a well painted blue sky will do the trick quite well. By the way, I don't think it's necessary to reduce the size of your image before saving it to Rail Images. I believe Rail Images will automatically reduce the image for you if it is too large.
Yes, it's surprising how a quite simple backdrop can enhance the layout and make it look much more finished. Here an example from my Siskiyou Line, notice how simple this backdrop is (no clouds and just simple blue-grayish green hills, yet it adds a lot to the layout. http://siskiyou.railfan.net/images/southRBp.jpg And here's a closeup photo ... and that simple ol' backdrop looks *terrific*. http://siskiyou.railfan.net/images/south_rb1.jpg Just an encouragement that you don't have to be Rembrandt to get an effective backdrop.
Joe, Okay I'm a little slow of the mark, but welcome to trainboard and the layout design forum. I hang out at the layout design sig, but this is my real home for assisting people. I hope you can add some of your wisdom from time to time. I went and checked when you registered and I see I'm about 6 days late, but glad you could join us.
Thanks, Rick. I'm branching out to some other lists to see if I can help out, and where it makes sense, to pass the word along about my new video series. Always glad to help, and by having these discussions, I'm recalling more of the little tips and tricks I use all the time that I hardly think about these days. I'm glad to pass them along, and I'm making a note of them too, so I can make sure and include them in the videos. I'd like the series to be as helpful as they possibly can be!
As you cruise the net, you'll discover this is one of the most active layout design forums, certainly not as active as the LDS Sig at Yahoo, but it has one important aspect that the LDS Sig has, and thats "lack of intimidation." The LDS is such a high profile forum with some well known members that it can be intimidating for the new guy or gal to come in and ask something basic like minimu radius or maximum grades, etc. I still remember when I posted there for the first couple of times how nervouse I was. What's nice about here is that some one can come in with a fairly simple layout, lets say a 4 by 8 in HO or a door layout in N and feel okay about it. Of course, people can post such layouts at the LDS, but you don't see many of them, usually its the guys with the larger layouts. You will also meet some members who have some very nice layouts to view.
Hi, all, Yes, the backdrop makes all the difference in the world. I have simple Walthers backdrops, even so, they make a significant difference. All of the shots that I have on Railimages have backdrops behind them for that reason. Good topic! Here's my contributed example. The Santa Fe's Peavine Line is still heavily trafficked even in modern times. Here we see a pair of Santa Fe 'Super Fleet' C44-9W's with a stack train headed up the Abierto Cutoff grade:
Just out of curiosity… With the rather high prices I’ve seen on backdrops, I’ve wondered (In this day of digital cameras and higher resolution color printers) if anyone has done their own backdrops using pictures you've taken and printed on your own color printer? Thanks Hoss. I was actually referring to reducing the file size down under the 100k they want. It put a strange distortion in my backgrounds, so I upped the file size closer to (and in some cases over) 100k and the distortion was no longer an issue.
Bruce, talk to Pete Nolan. I think he takes photos and prints all of his backdrops. I'm considering doing the same for my backdrops if I ever get to that stage.
Bruce - the answer is "Yes" - but I don't know how to post a pic. on here, or I'd show you. Shortliner(Jack) away up here in the Highlands [ 29. March 2004, 19:28: Message edited by: shortliner ]
Hey Shortliner, it figures that a Scot (I'm half Scottish) would have the answer! You can always open up an account on Rail Images and post a picture or two there. I'd like to see what you have done. http://www.railimages.com/
