Backdrop Process Links

My recent backdrop efforts have garnered a bit of attention over at the Valley Local FB group, so I figured it'd be a good idea to put all the info on my process here in one place.

Here are the Cliff's Notes:

• I take pictures with my iPhone of various landscapes and other subjects I think would make good backdrop fodder - usually shooting in the actual areas that I'm modeling.
• I also use historic photos (again, preferably from my area and era) and colorize them.
• Combine it all using Photoshop Elements.
• Print as a banner at my local Staples.
• Attach to the masonite using wallpaper adhesive.

Here are the helpful links:

• Most recent detailed overview of the entire process (need to scroll down to the bottom).
• Recent use of AI.
• Colorizing historic photographs.
• First full post of the basic process.
• More detailed process (scroll down).
• A link to every post I've written about backdrops, in reverse chronological order.

Wordless Wednesday #520 - Filling Backdrop Gaps

 

Wordless Wednesday #519 - Recent Acquisition at East Berlin

 

Playing with AI to Create a Backdrop (first tries)

My back still isn't, um, "back" to 100% so I can't get to the layout. But I can play around with Google Gemini (an AI program) to try and create some more backdrop images to fill in behind the foreground buildings at the north end of Middletown . . .

I started by asking Gemini for "fronts of factory and mill buildings, viewed straight on" and got this image that included 4 images.

I then used the MS snipping tool to crop & save each of these images as a separate image. The one at the top left ("Riverfront Textiles") is fine to use as-is, but the others need to be rotated. So, I started with the image in the lower right ("Pinewood Paper"). Here are the screenshots of exactly what I did . . .

Not fantastic (when I rotated it, I lost a bit of the character of the varied roofline), but pretty darn good for less than 5 minutes' work.

I'll do the same thing with the other images and then see how they look. But HOLY COW! For someone like me that enjoys creating photo backdrops, Google Gemini is an amazing tool!

Just check out this before-and-after . . .

Here's the image I started with:

Point A

And here's what I ended up with:

Point B

Still a bit too "peak autumn" looking for my layout (which is set more in early Autumn), so I'll be doing some PhotoShop work to get it into final form, but from the B&W image to the image above took me no more than 7-10 minutes, if that.

Truly amazing!

I can't even imagine how long it would have taken me to get this result by regular PhotoShopping - even if I had all the skills needed. And this is certainly a long way from "just" colorizing a B&W photo (which I've been doing for over 5 years now - here's my original post on that, and the RMC article).

I actually screenshotted the nine separate instructions I used to get from Point A to Point B. So if anyone's interested in seeing those, let me know in the comments or contact me directly. It really is shockingly easy.

I'm not a huge fan of AI in most other contexts, but for making backdrops for your model railroad? I'm finding it pretty hard to beat. It's definitely a remarkable time to be in the hobby.

So give it a try - and if you do, I hope you'll let us know!

Master Modeler Marty McGuirk - "Modeling Autumn Scenery"

 

Arriving just in time for the weekend - and at a perfect time for allowing my back to recover (and missing time on the layout) - is Marty McGuirk's much-anticipated master work on modeling my favorite season - Fall!

I may be a little biased, since I'm honored to be a (minor) contributor, but I think this book is destined to become a classic, right up there with Dave Frary's scenery bible. As you can see from the Table of Contents above, Marty covers everything you'll need to know to get that authentic looking autumn look on your layout.

But even if you model a different season, the book is just a joy to flip through. Self-publishing has come a LONG way in recent years and this book looks as professional - and in some cases even more so - than the best offerings from the more well-known publishing houses. Not only is the text clear and well written, striking that critical balance of conveying lots of information while being easy to read, but the photos printed beautifully as well. I especially appreciate the many tables and charts that echo the best of Frary's "recipe cards" - creating a handy reference source. I don't think I'll be the only one adding lots of Post-Its to flag these bits.

This book really deserves to be in every model railroader's library, if only for the wealth of inspiring photos from a wide variety of modelers and layouts. I'm looking forward to diving into "Modeling Autumn Scenery" and trying out all the cool techniques!

Huge Thanks to Marty for taking the time to distill his many years of experience and share all of his formidable skill with us in this book. Be sure to visit Marty's website at Artisan Rail Media to get your copy - and check out the other cool items he's posting for sale there while you're there!

Throwback Thursday - Miller Street Grade Crossing

I posted the following as a Wordless Wednesday (WW494) exactly one year ago today . . .

 

(the story)

I'm ashamed to confess that - yes - I started on the Miller Street grade crossing scene over a year ago.  Well, in my on-going effort to catch the Valley Local Blog up to the current state of affairs, here's the latest progress that's occurred over the past few weeks . . .

Foamcore street base added, along with foamcore structure bases, and scenery supports.

"KEY" houses & garage, scratchbuilt by Bill Schneider and mocked up in place.

Scenery base filled in (plaster cloth over cardboard lattice & foam).

"Lister Goop" added to cover add "ground"

Couldn't help but mock up the scene following the prototype photo.

With Bill's indispensable help with the structures, this scene is really coming together nicely! I'm not too happy with Miller Street itself though. I used my "easy tar & dirt road" technique, but it looks far too dark compared to the photo. I'm going to try and lighten it - but still noodling exactly how . . .

I don't mind taking my time (even if it is over a year!) to get it right. Such an iconic scene certainly deserves the attention to detail . . .

Wordless Wednesday #518 - Southbound Entering Wethersfield