Cisco Bridges: a new layout concept

[Scottl]

Thanks Robert, I'll give that a try!  There are definitely some places only a cell phone can go.  I have a few nice cell tripods that are handy for placing the phone as well.  This is a favorite perspective I took with my cell a few years ago.  The scene is challenging to hide all the background elements, but I hope to revisit this with proper stacking and a simple sky board to hide the worst.



Helicon Remote has been a bit fussy with my Canon T4i.  It won't work with my 55 mm prime lens yet, but the kit zoom works well.  There is a very specific set of settings that need to be in place for it to generate the proper stack and the instructions have been a bit thin, so it is has been an experimentation process.  Helicon Focus on the other hand, is fantastic and very simple to use (and fast, even on my mediocre laptop).

[Scottl]

I'm having a lot of fun with Helicon Focus.  My Canon SLR turned out to be finicky with Helicon Remote and on the suggestion of @robert3985 I have tried a few cell apps that have focus bracketing capacity.  Open Camera did not work for me, but I have found Hedgecam2 to be fantastic for this task.  It will quickly take a sequence, and has a built in angle indication to aid in level shots.  This kind of shot was a focus nightmare in the past.  Woot!

[Lemosteam]

Wow.  So, so glad this layout is back on track (pun intended).  It is also one of my faves.  The photogenic nature of this layout is worth every effort you make, no matter how little or how much.

You might want to consider buying a roll of 42" wide table top cover or plotter paper that can be supported on poles with clips to create a roll up background.  I find that a basic white background simply becomes a cloud cover day with nothing on it to distract from the main subject of the image.  This would work well to hide the background in this photo and eliminate the tedious Photoshop work that would be necessary through all of the bridge structure:

[Scottl]

Thanks!  Yes, I've painted up a sky board for shots like that.   That particular perspective is a favorite and now with focus-stacking is razor sharp.  I need to fashion a simple mount for the cell phone to get as low as possible, even the mini tripod is still a few inches from the surface.

[CRL]

Can you turn the phone upside down so the camera lens is on the bottom?

Just a thought 💭

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Speaking of backgrounds, they're ALSO only REALLY needed where scenery intersects. Everything else? Clone brush...

[Scottl]

Can you turn the phone upside down so the camera lens is on the bottom?

Just a thought 💭

That might work, actually.  Need to try it.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Great image Scott, that new mobile phone app plus Helicon Focus makes this look so good.
Might be worth a look see.
Rod.

[Bob]

I am really glad you are back posting, Scott.  I started my own layout two years ago, and I avidly followed the progress you were making.  Your scenery is incredible, and that photo of the train crossing the bridge shows how the combination of your excellent work and Helicon focus can result in really inspiring photos!

[Scottl]

Thanks both, I sat on the fence with Helicon Focus for a long time as I am strangely loath to invest in software but seemingly quite willing to spend more on a few freight cars.  It has turned out to be really worth the cost for me.  It is fast, easy to use and works with photos from any camera.  The train crossing the bridge is from a series of pictures taken with Hedgecam2 (free app) and my boring, three-year old Samsung phone.  It is really transformative what it can do.  I only bought a one year subscription to Helicon Focus, but I think I will renew with the lifetime version (about 3X the cost).  It is really good value for an excellent product.

I have also been exploring the capacity to do 3D images with Helicon Focus from offset sets of images to allow photogrammetric measurements (like an aerial photograph).  It works surprisingly well, almost  as good as the package I use for drone orthophotos and 3D point clouds (Photoscan) at work.  Once I have it refined, I want to print a 3D model of my layout  .

[Bob]

I'm with you Scott - I too bought a one-year subscription, but will likely do the lifetime subscription when this runs out.  It is just so darn easy to use - I am just using my iPhone now, and the photos really turn out nicely.  Amazing what depth of focus can do!

[mark dance]

Wow...I just downloaded Hedgecam and fed five, shaky, handheld shots in to Focus.  (They are taken at an angle I have been trying to capture to match a proto shot )



15 minutes total start to finish.  More experimentation is required but I am already sold.

thx Scott!

md

[Scottl]

@mark dance great!  I have had the same issues- shots no SLR could get with impossible focus ranges.  I bought two different $3 cell tripods on ebay a few years back and they let me get the phone right in to the subject.  The phone holder also screws into my SLR tripod for more conventional shots.   I just need something to put the phone right on the deck.

The angle measurement on Hedgecam2 is great as well to make sure everything is level.  Dynamite free app.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Great image Mark, now you and Scott have got me sold on this new app.
Love you snow scene. What did you use for the snow?
Rod, Down under here in Melbourne where it is going to be 43C today.
Very very hot and windy just not good for all our fires.

[Bob]

Wow Mark - that photo makes me feel COLD it is so good!  I'll have to try this app as well.