Backdrop suggestion (1 Viewer)

[thebritfarmer]

Just an idea for those looking for backdrops to photgraph mini scenes.

Most of us can find a suitable backdrop on the net, but not everyone may have a printer. Here's what I do (although I am still experimenting and getting used to the new camera.

I find the pic I want and save it. Then I bring it up as my desktop pic (you could just open the pic also). I then place a base in front of the pic (covering up the bottom portion of the monitor and snap away

Here is an example, although not the best for reasons quoted before.

 

[kilted vampire]

I have thought of doing that myself. Have not bought a printer yet, and I wondered what that would look like. Kudos for trying it out.

 

[PolarBear]

Another possibility for avoiding a printer but one that requires Photoshop software is compositing. Photograph the figures against a blank background and then composite them into a digital photo backdrop that you have also brought up through Photoshop. I haven't mastered this yet (and not sure if i ever will) but my son once walked me through the example below. It's pretty tricky since you have to digitally cut out the figure and paste it into the backdrop, adjusting scale, light and shade, etc. My son said it would save me all the photo paper and print cartridges but I have not had any luck yet doing it solo. But perhaps there are some Photoshop wizards out there on the forum.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I have tried that method before PolarBear. It can be time consuming but can add to the realism of the figure.

Thanks for posting up your pics

 

[OzDigger]

Two excellent tips there guys for those that are into posting pics of their collection.

 

[jac28]

Another possibility for avoiding a printer but one that requires Photoshop software is compositing. Photograph the figures against a blank background and then composite them into a digital photo backdrop that you have also brought up through Photoshop. I haven't mastered this yet (and not sure if i ever will) but my son once walked me through the example below. It's pretty tricky since you have to digitally cut out the figure and paste it into the backdrop, adjusting scale, light and shade, etc. My son said it would save me all the photo paper and print cartridges but I have not had any luck yet doing it solo. But perhaps there are some Photoshop wizards out there on the forum.

Here's a sample of a backdrop composited in Photoshop with a shot of the Barzso castle display from OTSN, .. Yes, cropping around the image of your figures/diorama can be time consuming - but like anything else you get better and faster the more you do. You can also adjust image color, lighting etc - to get a more accurate result.. the lighting wasn't the greatest in the hotel lobby, but a couple of simple Photoshop adjustments really helped

Jim

 

[thebritfarmer]

Wow good job there Jim. Thanks for posting.

The good thing about doing it that way is you can mirror the figure(s) if needs be. Also the figure(s) can be copied and you can appear to have more troops than you actually do

 

[PolarBear]

Here's a sample of a backdrop composited in Photoshop with a shot of the Barzso castle display from OTSN, .. Yes, cropping around the image of your figures/diorama can be time consuming - but like anything else you get better and faster the more you do. You can also adjust image color, lighting etc - to get a more accurate result.. the lighting wasn't the greatest in the hotel lobby, but a couple of simple Photoshop adjustments really helped

Jim

]

Terrific Job JIm.

Guess I just need to practice more. I see you are a graphic designer so Photoshop is a natural. I imagine you use the full version. I am using Elements which is good for a beginner like me.

Randy

 

[fishead19690]

What is the best photo softwear???? to get, how much does it cost and how easy is it to use? I want to try and add some of this type of background effect like in the back of the brazo castle to some of my dioramas but I know absolutly nothing about this stuff. Does any one have any advice on this stuff for us less knowledgable total novices???

Alex did a touch up on one of my photos on one of the other forums and added some dust under my cavalry figures and some smoke out of the musket barrels. He suggested some free online softwear to do stuff like this but I don,t know anything about using this stuff and if that free online download is capeable of doing what I want? Should I just buy some softwear so I have instuctions? Is there any catch to this free online stuff?

 

[jac28]

Terrific Job JIm.

Guess I just need to practice more. I see you are a graphic designer so Photoshop is a natural. I imagine you use the full version. I am using Elements which is good for a beginner like me.

Randy

Thx Randy -
Yes - I've used full version of Photoshop for years. I'm not familiar with what features Elements includes. I'll have to check on the internet to see if I can find out. You should be able to do everything in Elements to crop your images and put in a background.. When I find out what features it has - I should be able to give you a couple of pointers if you like...

Jim

 

[jac28]

What is the best photo softwear???? to get, how much does it cost and how easy is it to use? I want to try and add some of this type of background effect like in the back of the brazo castle to some of my dioramas but I know absolutly nothing about this stuff. Does any one have any advice on this stuff for us less knowledgable total novices???

Alex did a touch up on one of my photos on one of the other forums and added some dust under my cavalry figures and some smoke out of the musket barrels. He suggested some free online softwear to do stuff like this but I don,t know anything about using this stuff and if that free online download is capeable of doing what I want? Should I just buy some softwear so I have instuctions? Is there any catch to this free online stuff?

not sure if you can use Photoshop Elements to clip around images... but here's a link to a free trial version direct from Adobe... If you buy it's about $100

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/?promoid=BPDEM

 

[Harrytheheid]

not sure if you can use Photoshop Elements to clip around images... but here's a link to a free trial version direct from Adobe... If you buy it's about $100

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/?promoid=BPDEM

Photoshop Elements has a "Crop" tool. I used it yesterday. I'm still getting used to PE, but I think its definitely the application to use for the type of photos we TS collectors generally shoot.

Cheers
H

 

[PolarBear]

Thx Randy -
Yes - I've used full version of Photoshop for years. I'm not familiar with what features Elements includes. I'll have to check on the internet to see if I can find out. You should be able to do everything in Elements to crop your images and put in a background.. When I find out what features it has - I should be able to give you a couple of pointers if you like...

Jim

Thanks. I've been trying to use the magnetic lasso to cut the figures out. I believe Elements which sells for less than $100 has fewer tools than the full set. I do actually like setting up scenes and photographing them against a background shot. It's great play therapy and brings out the movie director in all of us

 

[jac28]

Thanks. I've been trying to use the magnetic lasso to cut the figures out. I believe Elements which sells for less than $100 has fewer tools than the full set. I do actually like setting up scenes and photographing them against a background shot. It's great play therapy and brings out the movie director in all of us

Polar Bear - If you're using the full Photoshop try the pen tool.. you have much more control on cutting around your images... I never use the lasso too unless the edges are completely solid... be sure to zoom up close when using the pen tool... you'll be amazed at the control you have.

Jim