New Camera and Windmill Hill Photos

Phoenix · July 16, 2020, 03:42:21 AM

Hi All,

I've not posted for a while as I have bought a new toy

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

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 .....

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

Also I'm not sure why the driver has stopped for a chat leaving the passengers in the coach stuck in the tunnel

Perhaps they are arranging to meet later at "The Swan"

Speaking of which (please excuse the tenuous link

) ....

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

One thing I noticed photographing so close up is the quality of printed items. The resolution of "Sankey's Signs" is excellent.

You can see them on the pub, and here (I must clean that black off the station canopy and brush down the platform edge

)

Also the signal box sign I was very very pleased with. Justin at Scale Model scenery custom etches them for you,with raised lettering ....

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

They look pretty much the same at face value, but if you are photographing close up, the Gaugemaster one brakes up a bit .....

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

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

All best wishes

Kevin

Bealman · July 16, 2020, 03:51:21 AM

Cool, Kevin!

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!!

tutenkhamunsleeping · July 16, 2020, 09:11:01 AM

Interesting how more and more cameras are coming with built-in support for focus-stacking

What next, automatic fake steam'n'smoke?

Paddy · July 16, 2020, 09:20:18 AM

Fake steam and smoke is a feature of the upcoming iPhone 12 Max Pro!

Kind regards

Paddy

Bealman · July 16, 2020, 10:18:46 AM

Please, no fake added smoke!

A pet hate of mine

8A Rail · July 18, 2020, 11:59:43 AM

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.

Phoenix · August 17, 2020, 08:17:02 PM

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

Train Waiting · August 17, 2020, 08:20:03 PM

My condolences on your loss, Kevin.

With best wishes.

John

Newportnobby · August 17, 2020, 08:51:35 PM

I'm extremely sad to read of your loss, Kevin. My condolences to you all.

port perran · August 17, 2020, 09:14:42 PM

So very sorry to hear of your loss Kevin.
Best wishes to you and stay safe.

Martin

crewearpley40 · August 17, 2020, 09:24:07 PM

Our thoughts and prayers are with you kevin

Phoenix · August 17, 2020, 10:10:45 PM

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

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 .

With all best wishes

Kevin

dannyboy · August 17, 2020, 10:11:21 PM

I can only echo the above sentiments Kevin - a sad time.

Bealman · August 18, 2020, 01:00:07 AM

Very sorry to hear of your recent loss, Kevin.

You haven't lost your sense of humour, though - as the photo above shows!

Phoenix · August 18, 2020, 02:44:44 PM

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