Photography
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Questions about shooting your models and dioramas? Ask here.
Hosted by Jim Starkweather
Backdrop option
hkopper
Member Since: March 01, 2008
entire network: 529 Posts
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Posted: Monday, September 14, 2009 - 02:31 PM UTC
What is a good material to use for a colored backdrop. In the past, I used a white or black bedding sheet but with mix results namely due to the creases that showed up.
KoSprueOne
Member Since: March 05, 2004
entire network: 4,011 Posts
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Posted: Monday, September 14, 2009 - 02:41 PM UTC
Try using a larger piece of white, black, or neutral color back drop to create an "infinity space". This means, a material which you can lay down then curve up the back so you have a curved transition instead of a crease or corner.
similar to this example with thick, soft foam sheet:
hope to helps
similar to this example with thick, soft foam sheet:
hope to helps
Tarok
Member Since: July 28, 2004
entire network: 10,889 Posts
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Posted: Monday, September 14, 2009 - 04:01 PM UTC
I simply use poster card. Either blue, grey, white or black. Most of the time I tend to use black. Once the card becomes scored, scratched or marked from handling, simply replace 
hkopper
Member Since: March 01, 2008
entire network: 529 Posts
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Posted: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 01:53 AM UTC
Thanks for the great ideas
HeavyArty
Member Since: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 07:15 AM UTC
I second Rudy's suggestion. I also use poster board. I find a medium blue to be the best color for models to show up against.
PaulsBods
Member Since: October 24, 2010
entire network: 522 Posts
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Posted: Monday, October 25, 2010 - 03:58 AM UTC
I like the "infinity" idea...nice one 
plastickjunkie
Member Since: December 31, 2009
entire network: 399 Posts
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Posted: Monday, October 25, 2010 - 05:17 AM UTC
I took a cardboard box and cut the top and sides off, then taped some white tracing paper over the open panels to act as filters. I got some cheap portable lights from Home depot for the top and sides. Grabbed a lt.blue poster board from Hobby Lobby and draped it inside the box. It all works out very well, cheap too..
Krieg-Hammer
Member Since: May 17, 2011
entire network: 106 Posts
KitMaker Network: 14 Posts
Posted: Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 12:14 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I took a cardboard box and cut the top and sides off, then taped some white tracing paper over the open panels to act as filters. I got some cheap portable lights from Home depot for the top and sides. Grabbed a lt.blue poster board from Hobby Lobby and draped it inside the box. It all works out very well, cheap too..
Could you put pics up of it? I am looking to create something like this.
retiredyank
Member Since: June 29, 2009
entire network: 11,610 Posts
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Posted: Friday, June 10, 2011 - 03:35 AM UTC
I use posterboard or a seafoam colored pillow case. I seem to get the best results with the poster board(white).
lukiftian
Member Since: March 12, 2010
entire network: 791 Posts
KitMaker Network: 198 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 - 04:46 PM UTC
Quoted Text
What is a good material to use for a colored backdrop. In the past, I used a white or black bedding sheet but with mix results namely due to the creases that showed up.
Pastel paper, 90lb is usually the best, 25x40 inches if you can find it, and it comes in all sorts of useful colours for around $6 a sheet, maybe less if you're lucky.
I also like velour paper, it's really interesting.
firstcircle
Member Since: November 19, 2008
entire network: 2,249 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2012 - 09:13 AM UTC
On the subject of blue backgrounds... blue is seen to be good as it provides a clear contrast to the subject being photographed, and this is fine for build stage photos (if not always necessary nor helpful) but please - and this is my opinion, I know, but I am going to make it forcefully - don't use strong blue backgrounds for your finished build photos!
Use some pale pastel blue if you must, something grey / blue, but not these strong domineering blues. The light reflected back on to the subject by strong coloured backgrounds affects the colours of the model, so I would agree with what has been said above about white, black, creams, pale greys, pastel colours generally.
But not blue blue. Ever.
Use some pale pastel blue if you must, something grey / blue, but not these strong domineering blues. The light reflected back on to the subject by strong coloured backgrounds affects the colours of the model, so I would agree with what has been said above about white, black, creams, pale greys, pastel colours generally.
But not blue blue. Ever.
c5flies
Member Since: October 21, 2007
entire network: 3,684 Posts
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Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - 01:41 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI took a cardboard box and cut the top and sides off, then taped some white tracing paper over the open panels to act as filters. I got some cheap portable lights from Home depot for the top and sides. Grabbed a lt.blue poster board from Hobby Lobby and draped it inside the box. It all works out very well, cheap too..
Could you put pics up of it? I am looking to create something like this.
Here's my cheapo photo box I made a few years ago...getting a little ragged now and will need to make a new one
Matthew...excellent advice on the backdrop colors, thanks! And I'll add to use a solid color, I've seen plenty of good quality pictures ruined by using a backdrop with a pattern that is very distracting.
Occam
Member Since: October 10, 2004
entire network: 190 Posts
KitMaker Network: 58 Posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2012 - 11:03 AM UTC
Another option is to build a simple base for placing the model on and then printing out a sky background from a site like Flickr.
For 1:35 models Miniarts makes some great kits that just need paint and a bit of grass. IMHO it gives a much more realistic look of a model and prevent odd colors from reflecting.
I made such a base recently and added some Trumpeter tracks next to the Miniart road in order to be able to photograph 1:35 railroad models as well.
I wrote about the proces on my blog, including how to make the backdrop:
http://modellingroom.net/photo-diorama-for-135-scale-models/
For 1:35 models Miniarts makes some great kits that just need paint and a bit of grass. IMHO it gives a much more realistic look of a model and prevent odd colors from reflecting.
I made such a base recently and added some Trumpeter tracks next to the Miniart road in order to be able to photograph 1:35 railroad models as well.
I wrote about the proces on my blog, including how to make the backdrop:
http://modellingroom.net/photo-diorama-for-135-scale-models/
C_JACQUEMONT
Member Since: October 09, 2004
entire network: 2,433 Posts
KitMaker Network: 103 Posts
Posted: Monday, August 13, 2012 - 06:53 PM UTC
Great idea!
I had a friend that used some posters of an autumn wood, or moutain landscapes to good effect, that was back in the 1990s!
Your photo looks fantastic, very atmospheric, and tells a story too.
Cheers,
Christophe
I had a friend that used some posters of an autumn wood, or moutain landscapes to good effect, that was back in the 1990s!
Your photo looks fantastic, very atmospheric, and tells a story too.
Cheers,
Christophe
matrixone
Member Since: February 07, 2004
entire network: 869 Posts
KitMaker Network: 3 Posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2012 - 05:50 AM UTC
I use scenic backdrops in pictures of my models.
Some of the backdrops I use are store bought and made for model RR layouts. Other backdrops I use are those I airbrushed myself on large sheets of white foam board.
Below is a 1/48 scale model with one of the model RR backdrops.
And here is some 1/72 scale models with one of my airbrushed backdrops...
One thing that is important is to use proper lighting that matches the backdrop, I suggest using natural light for this, indoor lighting looks too soft and not very realistic and the best part sunlight is free!
I take all the pictures of my finished models outdoors and have had better results than when I used to do indoor photography.
Matrixone
Some of the backdrops I use are store bought and made for model RR layouts. Other backdrops I use are those I airbrushed myself on large sheets of white foam board.
Below is a 1/48 scale model with one of the model RR backdrops.
And here is some 1/72 scale models with one of my airbrushed backdrops...
One thing that is important is to use proper lighting that matches the backdrop, I suggest using natural light for this, indoor lighting looks too soft and not very realistic and the best part sunlight is free!
I take all the pictures of my finished models outdoors and have had better results than when I used to do indoor photography.
Matrixone
Joel_W
Associate EditorMember Since: December 04, 2010
entire network: 11,666 Posts
KitMaker Network: 121 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 - 03:48 AM UTC
I simply use poster board, either blue, black, or white. I use a snack table pushed up against the wall. I tape the poster board to the wall and to the table, forming a smooth curse in the process.
One nice thing about using a snack table is that it folds up when not needed, and can be stored anywhere, out of the way.
Joel
One nice thing about using a snack table is that it folds up when not needed, and can be stored anywhere, out of the way.
Joel
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