NOTE: You can see LARGER VIEWS of any of the photos on this site by clicking on the photo.
Presenting here a few recent photos to illustrate different things than can be done with model photography:
The camera doesn't always have to be on a tripod to get the photos you want. Here it's sitting on the layout to get a closeup of the bridge area.
This is what the camera captured. I wanted to illustrate a scene with an automobile and a train.
One of the great advantages of digital images is they can be adjusted, rearraged, changed, added to, etc. to achieve the final image you desire:
Notice the changes? I didn't like the billboard with the RDC behind the car as it distracted from the car, so I edited it out using the clone feature in my Paint Shop Pro program. I also added steam and smoke to the steam engine, and finally cropped some of the foreground out to make this final version.
A LITTLE FUN!
This scene appears to be taken from the inside of the "Emerald Cafe", looking out at an industrial scene with workmen unloading trucks and some railroad switching taking place in the background.
This is how it was taken! The "Emerald Cafe" is just a mockup window in a piece of cardboard, and the rest of the scene is composed of some models set up on a table.
WORKING WITH DIGITAL IMAGES
One major benefit of digital images is that you can do a fair amount of work with them in your computer. Often less than ideal images can be saved or enhanced using digital imaging software. Photo too dark, crooked, poorly composed, something in the way? Fix it with the software. Like anything worthwhile, learning to use such "paint" programs can take time, but the basics should be fairly easy.
The capabilities of such software is almost in proportion to its cost - you can do more with the more expensive programs, but most people can get along with simpler ones until they find a need to do more. I personally have been using Paint Shop Pro for many years, upgrading the program as newer versions were released. One of the most popular imaging programs is Photoshop, which is often the choice of professionals. There are some great free programs out there too, and it might be a good idea to try one of these first to see if they suit your requirements. Google offers their "Picassa" program for free, and I've heard good things about it. Check them out here: http://www.picasa.com/
I'll leave you with this image taken from the inside of a tunnel, looking out at an HO scale CP diesel. Showing another unusual location for a photo, and the effect of a scale figure in a scene, which gives it a center of interest.
HAVE FUN TAKING PHOTOS AND SHOOT A LOT!
Bob Boudreau