A different kind of close up photography

[Railphotog]

I got back into my hobby of model railroading about 30 years ago with the idea of using my other hobby of photography to take photos of models I made. To get in really close I adapted an article I saw in a hobby magazine to add a pinhole aperture to a 28mm wide angle lens. This worked especially well with my film cameras for many years.

Converting to a DLSR meant my 28mm lens would be about 56mm on a crop sensor DLSR, losing most of the effectiveness of the pinhole adaptation. I figured I needed an extreme wide angle lens to get in close with my DSLR. I found a Tamron 11-18mm lens on a local online site for a good price, and it seems to work fairly well.

Here's one of my HO scale (1/87 scale) machine shop taken with this lens:

The model building is 10 inches square.

Here's how I took the photo:

I use up to three lamps to get lots of light into the model, which I made with large windows and skylights to allow the interior to be well lighted.

I scratchbuilt the model, including the larger machines. I combine my two hobbies and have had a great time at it too!

 

[kundalini]

Mad skills. :thumbsup:

I guess my only nit would be how the rails "just end" in the back of the image.

 

[Overread]

Really outstanding modelling skills there!
And great to see such a well photographed studio bit of work -

 

[jake337]

Theres even sawdust in there around the saw. Money!

 

[889Media]

The details in your model is awesome! The photo in it self is good, but seeing the actual size of the building it makes it even better Good job!

 

[Jason_Moore]

this is really interesting. nice!

 

[Kerbouchard]

The photo is great, but it is nothing compared to your attention to detail and workmanship with the model. Incredibly good, all the way around. Genius.

 

[cnutco]

Detail is WoW!

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[digital flower]

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I can totally appreciate the scale and attention to detail. Just, WoW!

 

[Rekd]

Ahh, the good old days where every machine ran from the same motor, driven by belts and shafts. Excellent model, but have that foreman get someone to sweep that floor!

 

[NikonME]

Great picture. Superb craftmanship. I am suprised no one noticed that your "How its done" photo is swapped horizonally. I was trying to figure out why the lighting didn't match the direction.