Need the perfect photo for backdrop

[Chris333]

I'm not against using mirrors, but for these 2 streets I want photos. Got a few streets left for mirrors 

The site Tim linked has some nice stuff like:



But they just don't fit.


Earlier I was searching Bing. My area doesn't have street side view so I was looking around Cleveland. Problem is I don't know where to look and I could spend hours looking around that way...

[Chris333]

That top photo is pretty close.


I haven't bought colored ink in years...

[Lemosteam]

Chris you could force perspective on the left model with the wall adjacent to the street since you don't have roofs on yet-  It might only take 2 or three degrees.  The building on the right already aligns well.

[timwatson]

Send me that photo tell me what colors you want colorized and where. I'll get'er done. It's the least I can do for all the stuff you've done for me over the years. I'll print the color if that's got a color version. Oh yeh get me dimensions as well. I can print on photo paper or just plain inkjet paper.

[mcjaco]

I think we're missing the bigger problem here.


Chris was holding out on us with a layout build!

[Dave Schneider]

I think we're missing the bigger problem here.


Chris was holding out on us with a layout build!

+1 

[MVW]

Eagerly watching, as I'll face the same dilemma soon.

Earlier in this thread it was suggested photos of models be used for the backdrop. A year or two ago, Model Railroader used this approach on one of its project railroads. In fact, I think they shot photos of HO structures and reduced them to N scale size.

At the time, I floated a suggestion (on another forum, I think) that we establish an online collection of model structure photos that could be downloaded to make custom backdrops. If we posted shots that are flat on and from 45-degree angles, it would be easy enough to alter the perspective with Photoshop or other photo-editing software.

This would be an outstanding resource that could be shared by modelers in any scale.

Jim

[Dave Schneider]

That top photo is pretty close.

Looks pretty good, but I see that you had to crop out the EX-LAX window display. You have to find a place for that! Who knew that it used to enjoy such prominence?

I like the idea of a model photo collection.

Best wishes, Dave

[DKS]

I wonder if the sweet spot for a photo backdrop could be broadened, so to speak, by choosing a street scene that takes a slight turn near the foreground, so that the horizon line is obscured.

[pwnj]

Yeah, or make it look like a T-intersection in the distance by inserting some building faces and cross traffic in the back?

[timwatson]

I wonder if the sweet spot for a photo backdrop could be broadened, so to speak, by choosing a street scene that takes a slight turn near the foreground, so that the horizon line is obscured.

The Atlanta postcard I mentioned a few posts back does that to a good degree. Just have to find a photo like Chris wanted.

[haasmarc]

Chris,

How are you printing out the photos?  On the tree'd hill photo, they don't look like sheets joined together.  I need to do this in several spots on my layout.

[Chris333]

Chris,

How are you printing out the photos?  On the tree'd hill photo, they don't look like sheets joined together.  I need to do this in several spots on my layout.

DQ006 here:
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/products.asp?dept=1100

[basementcalling]

I think you are on the right track.

[nkalanaga]

Does the street have to go through?  Another option is a view with a short section of street, ending at a cross street and a building.  Traffic would have to turn, and there wouldn't be nearly the perspective problems of a long through street.

Or, some cities have the courthouse in a square or circular area, with the traffic going around it.  That would allow the streets to disappear at an angle on either side, with a fancy building in the middle.