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Post by jongrant4472 on Jul 20, 2011 17:44:37 GMT -5
Following a discussion on photography and depth of field in another forum, I downloaded a 4-week trial of some computer software called Helicon focus www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfocus.htmlSimply put, the software takes a number of partially-focused photos and layers them on top of one another to produce a single perfectly focused shot. Here are my first two attempts. The first photo used 16 layers and a tripod, the second used 8 layers and the camera was perched on the layout. I think a tripod is the way to go. I had to reduce the size of the final images to get them under 2mb and I dare say I could have edited the photos further using Photoshop or Picasa3   I still have a way to go but am quite pleased with the results so far. Jon |
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outback
Road Foreman
Recently returned after an 8 year MR hiadus. Now wandering around the railyard again ;-)
Posts: 94
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Post by outback on Jul 20, 2011 17:56:05 GMT -5
Very nice results indeed. I also like your weathering on the loco, so real it looks real (if I can say that).
D
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Post by icghogger on Jul 21, 2011 8:37:40 GMT -5
Very Realistic Results, Jon, it's obvious your hard work is paying off!!
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Post by Randy Earle on Jul 21, 2011 10:36:53 GMT -5
The 2nd shot looks like real Jon.
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Post by dltorres on Jul 21, 2011 11:46:53 GMT -5
That's awesome, I liked your model, layout and the photo.
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Post by jongrant4472 on Jul 21, 2011 20:00:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the favourable comments and helpful tips, guys. This is definitely the way to go. I 've uploaded the third photo to Railimages, showing a CSX SD35 passing the West Yard at Sweethome Alabama. I used the Helicon Focus software again but also cropped and edited the photo in Picasa3, as well The full sized photo is on the SWA facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Sweethome-Alabama/201342969884638 Hopefully time for another one tonight Jon |
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Post by torikoos on Jul 21, 2011 23:44:40 GMT -5
Hi Jon, those are great pictures, I've got to have a look at that software, it really makes the pictures look great. Now the only things in my mind to change in order to totally fool the audience are the couplers (change for Sergent, or remove trip pin), and in some angles the freight car wheels (change for semi scale ) and you would be able to fool anyone in thinking these are shots of the real thing!
Koos
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Jul 22, 2011 7:54:29 GMT -5
Outstanding photos. Koos is right, if you changed out the couplers it would be hard to tell that it was a model scene and not the real thing.
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Post by jongrant4472 on Jul 22, 2011 17:00:06 GMT -5
I'll get some Sergent couplers one of these days. I've had a bit more practice with the new software and am finding new capabilities and functions all the time. I also decided to try a photo or two at Sweethome Chicago for comparison purposes. The photos were also cropped and edited using Picasa3.    Jon |
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Post by jongrant4472 on Jul 22, 2011 18:13:43 GMT -5
A few more practice shots    I still have some issues with re-sizing, but that will come with practice Jon |
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