Hi All,
I've not posted for a while as I have bought a new toy :D :thumbsup: :D
As I had more funds than I thought..... probably money that would otherwise have been spent down the pub ...... I treated myself to a new camera for out and about, and photographing my models. The lockdown has been good for me :D
However, learning how to use its functions has been a struggle as I have only ever used a point and click camera.
I am slowly getting there, trying to get lighting and settings right as well as getting to grips with focus stacking, and editing out little flecks of dust etc, so here is one of the latest photos on it .....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-150720225935-970182327.jpeg)
Not quite there yet, :-[ as the front is not quite focused, but I hope to get better. Any tips on the best settings for what we photograph would be gratefully received. This is the camera ...
https://www.panasonic.com/middleeast/en/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras/dc-tz90.html (https://www.panasonic.com/middleeast/en/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras/dc-tz90.html)
Also I'm not sure why the driver has stopped for a chat leaving the passengers in the coach stuck in the tunnel :hmmm:
Perhaps they are arranging to meet later at "The Swan" :beers:
Speaking of which (please excuse the tenuous link ;) ) ....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-150720234603-970261165.jpeg)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-150720225927-970142456.jpeg)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-150720225927-970141556.jpeg)
I have been concentrating on photos with a character in the front, and main subject further back to practice focus stacking, and am quite pleased with the last one of the old man going home from the pub. This is a re-shoot from a photo I posted on the pub thread. I think I will re shoot the photo of the Terrier passing the pub, but with the pub lights on to make it look more inviting
Sorry for repeating photos you may have seen before, but with such a small layout, there is only so much to photograph :D
One thing I noticed photographing so close up is the quality of printed items. The resolution of "Sankey's Signs" is excellent. :thumbsup:
You can see them on the pub, and here (I must clean that black off the station canopy and brush down the platform edge :worried: )
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-160720002402-97027173.jpeg)
Also the signal box sign I was very very pleased with. Justin at Scale Model scenery custom etches them for you,with raised lettering ....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-160720002401-970271358.jpeg)
Backscenes I have found seem to vary. The two I have used are Gaugemaster, and ID Backscenes. I just made up this little board to show the difference
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-150720231327-970201694.jpeg)
They look pretty much the same at face value, but if you are photographing close up, the Gaugemaster one brakes up a bit .....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-150720225918-97006828.jpeg)
Also the gaugemaster backscenes are on thin paper, and in 3 small sections. When I bought mine, I misread the size :-[ It said 6" x 4.5 ft, I did not get the bit that said the 4.5 ft was in 3 sections (meaning each bit is just 18" long) I thought each section would be 4.5 ft :dunce:
The I.D. Backscenes are on thicker paper, in 2 sections EACH 5 ft long, and if you call John (07970 678753 ) he can print them any height, alter the horizon line, and also add or take out things for you. He is very good :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Cool, Kevin! :thumbsup:
Lock down was good for me, too, by the way - saved money, blood doctor said my Iron levels and liver were the best they've been in ten years, I finished an Arduino project that had been languishing, did some work on the layout, and a heap of posting on here!! :beers:
Interesting how more and more cameras are coming with built-in support for focus-stacking :thumbsup:
What next, automatic fake steam'n'smoke? :D
Fake steam and smoke is a feature of the upcoming iPhone 12 Max Pro! :D
Kind regards
Paddy
Please, no fake added smoke!
A pet hate of mine ;)
Good camera and you wont go far wrong with it. The initial images are good and you should be pleased with them especially as the 'depth of field' is better than I would of expected for such a close up image. The best advice I could give you is just play around with the camera with different subjects inside and out, also including 'moving' subjects too. You will soon fine out how capable the camera is, but I suspect you wont be disappointed.
Hi All,
Long time no post ..... I hope everyone is well.
I have not really been feeling up to much for while as my Mother took a turn for the worse, and had to go into a care home, which deep down in reality, we new did not bode well, and sadly she passed away.
The funeral was last Friday, which was not a good day for me, but at least she is at rest now, and Dad has a lot of stress taken off him ( He is 89, and Mum's alzheimer's was taking a toll on him)
Unfortunatly due to the health restrictions, due to Dads age I could not be there, and a further bummer, Friday, the day of the funeral was my birthday, so not a good day. Lucky I have good friends here in Weymouth that I spent the day with.
Sorry to bore you with this, but I am sure you can appreciate why I have not been feeling up to much.
Life goes on though, and I have some pics to post. I put them together in a video which is being uploaded to Youtube now (27 mins to go) so will be back later.
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
My condolences on your loss, Kevin.
With best wishes.
John
I'm extremely sad to read of your loss, Kevin. My condolences to you all.
So very sorry to hear of your loss Kevin.
Best wishes to you and stay safe.
Martin
Our thoughts and prayers are with you kevin
Hi All,
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. Very much appreciated I have been slowly getting back in the swing of things. Friday was a bit weird, but Mum is now at peace, and Dad no longer has the stress of the worry :heart:
Back to topic.
Here is the video of all the new photos of the lower level of Windmill Hill. Hope you like it.
Thank you for your comment Doug .... as you suggested, just playing around to get the right settings seems to work. Luckily with digital you can take millions of shots till you get it right ..... not like the old days of 12, 24, or 36 exposures.
And don't worry George, there doesn't seem to be a setting to add smoke to a photo.
I did try, but it doesn't look very realistic .
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/97/5755-310720132653-97677135.jpeg)
With all best wishes
Kevin
:beers: :NGF: :beers:
I can only echo the above sentiments Kevin - a sad time.
Very sorry to hear of your recent loss, Kevin.
You haven't lost your sense of humour, though - as the photo above shows! :thumbsup:
Thank you guys, your thought and kindness is very much appreciated.
I'm glad you like the video, I thought it would be best to do this rather than take up loads of space. I am very pleased with how it turned out. I'm now starting on the top level round the windmill, lake and pub.
I haven't used the camera to take any video of trains running yet. I will do, and combine moving trains and windmill with still photos which I think will work.
I like videos of trains running, but I think it looks a bit odd when everything else is frozen in time. Video of cars and people stopped at the level crossing with trains running past should be ok though, combined with still photos.
Anyway, I'm pleased you like that video, and glad you like the "Smoke" photo George
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Hi all,
Back in the swing of things now :thumbsup:
I was very pleased with the new photos of the upper level, and the video compilation of them, but the camera does show any little modelling "mishaps", so there has been a little fixing going on. ;)
Here are the first photos of my Terrier round the pub and lake.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/5755-030920140300-98991999.jpeg)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5755-030920140306-990012261.jpeg)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5755-030920141354-99002235.jpeg)
And a view across the lake
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5755-030920140304-990001989.jpeg)
Next will be a few detail shots round the lake. I have been experimenting with close-ups of easier to reach areas.
Here is a little scene I set up.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5755-030920141356-99003302.jpeg)
Also, after months of planning, mocking up sections, and buying all sorts of bits and pieces I have finally decided on the theme of my next layout.
I have gone through three completely different ideas before making the final decision. It will be another roundy roundy with trains on two levels. :hmmm:
More about it when I have got this photo book completed, but the baseboard will be smaller than Windmill Hill, :o and I will be joining the noble group of modellers on the American Railroad section of the forum (If they'll have me :D )
All best wishes,
Kevin
:beers:
Cracking cheese weathering on the Terrier, Gromit :heart2:
Smaller than Windmill Hill ! :o :goggleeyes: ???
Some lovely shots. :thumbsup:. The next project sounds interesting and intriguing. :hmmm:
Always good to see more photos of Windmill Hill.
Look forward to seeing what you will be getting up to next!
Dave G
Hi all,
Thank you for your comments. I am pleased with the weathering on the Terrier Mick. It was done by TMC, and I think they got it just right. :thumbsup:
And yes, the new one will be smaller (on a baseboard approx 250 x 350) but you should see the locos ..... one steam, one diesel, and both 0-4-0
Take care everyone
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Hi All,
No trains in this one, just a family having fun at the lake. I'd rather be in a deckchair with a case of beers than testing out the water :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5755-040920125214-990311623.jpeg)
The deckchair is a brass etch from Severn Models, the same place the pub is from, and is probably the fiddlyist little thing I've ever made ;)
Will get some more pics up over the weekend :thumbsup:
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Well that's great Kevin, now you're depressing me in High Definition :D
Stunning pics of a superb layout, as ever.
It's a small world - I moved from Weymouth to Surrey last year just before joining here!
My deepest condolences for your loss
Mark
Hi Mark,
Sorry about that ..... I'll mess a few things about in the next few photos :D :D :D
So glad you like the layout, and thank you also for your kind words
Whereabouts in Surrey are you. You moved from here, and I actually was in Surrey before I moved down to Weymouth. I used to live in Leatherhead :D
With all best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
What a coincidence! I was in Leatherhead an hour ago as a matter of fact - I live between Reigate and Redhill now. Broadwey was a lot cheaper!
Hi all,
Here are the boat builders, patching up their rowing boat. The reason the photo is this way up rather than landscape is to fit in with the page layout of the album.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/99/5755-050920143927-99061322.jpeg)
The sand on the beach is from my beach. It is really fine, ideal for N gauge.
All best wishes
Kevin.
:beers:
PS Hi Mark, I used to live just down from the "Plough" pub in Leatherhead ;)
Quote from: Phoenix on September 05, 2020, 02:51:54 PM
The sand on the beach is from my beach. It is really fine, ideal for N gauge.
Can I put an order in for 1 kilo please? There is no rush for delivery, you can put it on the next Weymouth ferry. ;)
That is a nice photograph Kevin which suits portrait format. :thumbsup:
Hi Kevin,
Only just stumbled on this thread. You seem to pop up with new ones and I can't keep up. So sorry to hear about your Mum. Very sad.
The pics look super as ever and looking forward to your new build. At first, was hoping you'd do some sort of Wild West scenario but then I read diesel so maybe not. Whatever it is, am sure it'll be great.
Take care and not too much cider ;).
Cheers, Chris (weave) :beers:
Many thanks indeed guys,
Glad you found this thread Chris, and so pleased you like the pics. I had not planned on having any cowboys and indians on the new layout. However you know how much I like little cameo scenes, so you have put a seed of an idea there :hmmm:
Hope you are on the mend and able to get around better now.
If you need any sand David, I can easily send you some .... I have done to another member here. :D
Not by ferry though. Since Condor left Weymouth, this is the only ferry we have now. I saw him yesterday when I was down the harbour. As no cruise ships are operating now, port fees are too expensive for the liners, so they are anchoring off Weymouth bay, and the ferryman is doing tours round the liners as well as across the harbour.
https://www.thetraveltrunk.net/row-boat-harbour-ferry-ride/ (https://www.thetraveltrunk.net/row-boat-harbour-ferry-ride/)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Quote from: Phoenix on September 06, 2020, 03:48:47 PM
If you need any sand David, I can easily send you some .... I have done to another member here.
We could go into the import/export market - I have sent coal to Mick and somebody else. :). I have no need for any sand at the moment, but if I ever get round to doing my beach area ............... :hmmm:
I have never been to Dorset and, having looked at the Ferrymen link and if things ever get back to normal, I would not mind a visit. :beers: