Trying Out Layout Lighting

Howdy!  Since I am down to a single module, I am using it as a test bed. 

One of those test items is a photo set.  I hope to at least be decent at taking train photos without post editing.  I have always admired photographers who can take really great photos and those who can do great Photoshop work and editing.  I am personally not interested in doing the editing work, I am not a huge fan of that sort of computer work.  I do however enjoy taking photos and getting the right one.  With that, I am going to practice taking model photos using this module.

I have tried getting good photos using my DSLR, a Canon T3i.  However, I have only gotten passable shots (at least in my opinion).  While I have a lot to work on, I have realized that one of the items that could help out is layout lighting!  I have LED bulbs in the room light fixture which put out a great white light, versus the yellowish of some bulbs.  It does a really nice job, but it doesn't provide quite enough light.  So, I built a layout lighting system.

The best part: I spent nothing on it!  It is entirely made from material I had on hand, mostly scraps.  I used some of the old wall supports to hold 1x2s out over the layout, about 20" long.  Then I used some leftover caulk and secured some old foam sheet to the out boards.  This is all supported by more 1x2 that is screwed into the layout.  Then I secured some of the LED strip lighting from my passenger car project, wired it all up, = and BOOM!  Layout lighting!  I added a strip of fascia to keep it nice looking.

The support.

 

Lighting turned off.

 

Lighting turned on.

 

It doesn't look like much in these photos but in person it is a huge difference.  There are six strips of LED lighting glued to the foam.  Very simple and easy.  Which makes me happy! 

 

I plan on doing this to all future layouts.  Also, there will soon be a backdrop but that is for another day!

 

Prototype photo!

 

Here I caught a pair of the HTRA MK1500D locos out of their natural habitat, and in a prime shot location.  Too bad I was driving and didn't have the nice camera.  So I grabbed this shot with my cell phone after I slowed to a crawl.  And yes I checked for other traffic!  Tthe HTRA locos and a BNSF genset move light to the repair shop of Englewood yard.