In many ways, the Railroad Modeller and the Photographer go hand in hand, inasmuch as the photographer has to have the eyes of an artist to be able to create just the right kind of picture inside the camera. The model railroader also has to be the same kind of artist, to create his or her landscape into a believable picture.
If you are using a 35mm S.L.R (Single Lens Reflex) camera that has manual focus, then the ability to place the f-stop to f22 or f32 will give a better depth of field to your subject. Also try focusing in the middle of the scene, as this will create a good depth of field with both the subject area and surrounding area’s behind and in front, in focus.
For digital camera owners, the ability to place the camera into Aperture priority with the shutter speed governed by the f-stop placement (f8) will also give excellent results with depth of field.
Good lighting is all-important, and don’t have shadows if you can avoid it. I use Daylight Fluorescent Tubes rated at 58watt and are placed on my ceiling at 18” intervals, I have enough light for all my photography when they are all on.
If you are using standard halogen lamps (250watt or larger) then you will need three lamps. Also the digital camera will need setting for Tungsten.
For the 35mm owner, the best slide films to use are: - EKTACHROME 64T and FUJICHROME 64T these are Tungsten based film and are colour matched to 32OOK. These films are ideal for 250watt halogen lamps.
Model railroad photography is nearly always around the 2 to 6 second bracket depending on the lighting used. So, use a tripod.
Your article (The story)
As with all stories, starting off is all-important. A good start with a good middle and good ending is required. You can waffle on in between. Try and make it a little humorous without going overboard. Tell the readers how you started in model railroading, Go on to mention how your Benchwork was made and what you used for the roadbed. Next, what track & points (Turnouts) you are using, and whether you have a control panel. What scenery techniques you used and who’s brand of scenery. Go onto your rolling stock; tell them what your roster comprises of. Did you scratchbuild anything, if so let the readers know.
You will be surprised when you start writing your article just how quickly it all comes together.
What to do next
When all photos (At least 25) and the article written, the next job is to sit and caption all photographs with at least 20 words for each photo. (Publishers will alter if necessary)
Have a drawing of your track-plan which doesn’t need to be in scale, so long as you mention the fact it is in a room X by X. When it’s drawn, take a photo of it or scan it in and make a photo that way.
All you need to do now is make a CD with your Digital photos and text on it. Make sure that the article is saved as .txt and also your photo captions are .txt.
Slides would have to be sent with the CD which has the text files and track-plan.
Now send it off, and good luck.
Shamus
If you are using a 35mm S.L.R (Single Lens Reflex) camera that has manual focus, then the ability to place the f-stop to f22 or f32 will give a better depth of field to your subject. Also try focusing in the middle of the scene, as this will create a good depth of field with both the subject area and surrounding area’s behind and in front, in focus.
For digital camera owners, the ability to place the camera into Aperture priority with the shutter speed governed by the f-stop placement (f8) will also give excellent results with depth of field.
Good lighting is all-important, and don’t have shadows if you can avoid it. I use Daylight Fluorescent Tubes rated at 58watt and are placed on my ceiling at 18” intervals, I have enough light for all my photography when they are all on.
If you are using standard halogen lamps (250watt or larger) then you will need three lamps. Also the digital camera will need setting for Tungsten.
For the 35mm owner, the best slide films to use are: - EKTACHROME 64T and FUJICHROME 64T these are Tungsten based film and are colour matched to 32OOK. These films are ideal for 250watt halogen lamps.
Model railroad photography is nearly always around the 2 to 6 second bracket depending on the lighting used. So, use a tripod.
Your article (The story)
As with all stories, starting off is all-important. A good start with a good middle and good ending is required. You can waffle on in between. Try and make it a little humorous without going overboard. Tell the readers how you started in model railroading, Go on to mention how your Benchwork was made and what you used for the roadbed. Next, what track & points (Turnouts) you are using, and whether you have a control panel. What scenery techniques you used and who’s brand of scenery. Go onto your rolling stock; tell them what your roster comprises of. Did you scratchbuild anything, if so let the readers know.
You will be surprised when you start writing your article just how quickly it all comes together.
What to do next
When all photos (At least 25) and the article written, the next job is to sit and caption all photographs with at least 20 words for each photo. (Publishers will alter if necessary)
Have a drawing of your track-plan which doesn’t need to be in scale, so long as you mention the fact it is in a room X by X. When it’s drawn, take a photo of it or scan it in and make a photo that way.
All you need to do now is make a CD with your Digital photos and text on it. Make sure that the article is saved as .txt and also your photo captions are .txt.
Slides would have to be sent with the CD which has the text files and track-plan.
Now send it off, and good luck.
Shamus