Toy train photography gallery (post your awesome shots here)

For real? I had no idea you had it too. I used to have Photoshop and thought similar features were only available there, though I did know the "Clouds" effect has all the same options the Layer Properties have. I only recently found out they were also in Paint.NET (albeit more limited, for obvious reasons) when I made some edits of screenshots and illustration scans. In case other users would like to do it, here's a tutorial showing the methods I used:



Naturally, the values are up to the editor to decide according to the image's needs; mess with them until they give the right look. The last three steps are optional, but were added for a little more realism. Alternatively, what's before the model/behind it could be illuminated by a light source within the photo (like a torch [flashlight] facing a vehicle with only its lights edited).



Final result:

[Super]

You are very good at that LaG. Have you done this with an engine too?

Not yet, but the same (or similar) methods could work for many other effects (water, smoke, steam, fire, rain, snow, etc.). The aforementioned "night" shots could have things like illuminated windows in buildings or coaches. Moreover, 'any' frame could be edited the same way if I ever go back to stop motion.

[Super]

Thanks LaG. Guess I never really looked into what the software could really do. I basically wanted upgrade the basic Microsoft Paint program that came with all PC's.

Got the first scenery order 2 days ago. I'm glad to finally see some bed for the track to sit on, and the first traces of autumn

[Super]

I really like the picture , doesn't look toy like at all. Anxious to see more 😃

Here are two new images I’ve been working on.  Let me know what you think!  - Arch

[Super]

I love those pictures Arch, you have a talent. Did you paint the bridges or use some trick photography? Love that sky and the lack of color. Makes it look like the olden days. Are those some de-faced customs of Mavis in the first photo?

Thanks! All parts and pieces are original except for the two Mavis engines which have been altered. Effects are all digitally enhanced, mainly darkening certain elements for greater contrast.

Great to hear from you again, Arch.

I don't recall seeing these higher and shorter (in length) looking bridges before. Could it be they were actually from one of your BRIO sets but on Plarail risers? Until you replied to Super, I thought you made them yourself. If that sky is one of the "effects" you mentioned, you made it blend in seamlessly with everything else; like the trains really are/close to 1:1 scale. Was it hard to match the yellow stripes when removing the Mavis faces? Maybe grilles would've looked a bit nicer and made it less clear that something else had to be removed. Also just noticed they're both pulling Rockys. Were they (or one of them) also defaced like the Mavises? Never seen anyone repaint/deface a Rocky, so it could be an interesting idea for a mod.

Seeing the D51 (?) with the blue coaches on the other bridge reminded me of Super's Polar Express he made from a Hiro. Surprised he didn't mention it. The second photo could do with a little more background elements to "match" the look of the first one.

Either way, nice work indeed.