Modu-trak Pictures

[unittrain]

I just first want to comment on how awesome the pictures on the Modu-Trak site are, I've always enjoyed the videos you guys do also. My question is how do you photograph and video record these images? One of my favorites is the C&NW @Berryville that photo taken at the crossing with the F-units approaching it is so realistic it just pulls you into the scene like you are really standing trackside  Do you use Helicon Focus for these images?

[mcjaco]

That particular picture was taken outside by Keith.  He did a whole presentation on his methods at the RPM meet in Lisle.  Nothing special, and no real post production work.

[lashedup]

I just first want to comment on how awesome the pictures on the Modu-Trak site are, I've always enjoyed the videos you guys do also. My question is how do you photograph and video record these images? One of my favorites is the C&NW @Berryville that photo taken at the crossing with the F-units approaching it is so realistic it just pulls you into the scene like you are really standing trackside  Do you use Helicon Focus for these images?

In some cases we've used Helicon, but Keith basically drags his modules out into a Wisconsin field and shoots in natural daylight. The inside stuff I've shot has generally used Helicon focus. I've been playing more with Helicon remote which uses a computer to control the camera and automate the Helicon focus stepping. I still get strange artifacts from time to time, but overall it works pretty darn well.

The videos have been experiments using a digital SLR camera video function (I think most were using a D300S camera with a macro lens - thus the extremely low-depth of field). We are going to do another video this winter and I want to try using a variety of different cameras to see what works well. It is lots of work to stitch it all together, but it is still a lot of fun to play with.

We'll be at Trainfest next week. If anyone is going to the show, please stop by and say hi. If you want to bring something to run I'm sure we can accommodate it.

Thanks for the kind words. We have fun building them and it is a good group.

- jamie

[mcjaco]

Keith, pretty much said he's a point and shot guy.  I'm the same way.  I have enough issues getting modeling time.  Photography, although I enjoy it, is not something I want to delve into much deeper. 

Jamie and Bill are the guys using Helicon (hopefully Bill jumps in here too). 

We're lucky to use Jamie's setup in the winter.  He's got a great backdrop, and some cool light set ups, for some different lighting.  It's fun to experiment. 

And yes, please swing by and say hello.  If you must run something, Bill loves Daylight equipment.   

[Dave Schneider]

I will be at Trainfest on Saturday. The Modu-Trak layout and chatting with the group is always the highlight of the show for me.
We are also having a Beer Line modelers dinner/slide show/ops session over the weekend with folks coming from as far as Florida (and Alaska), so this has the makings of a great time.

Best wishes, Dave

[skytop35]

Not much I can add here. I also use Helicon. My camera is older and doesn't quite have the depth of field I require for N scale. Helicon has helped a lot.

As for the Daylight. At least it's orange!