Photos: 2D and 3D

Why do photos of a layout look more realistic than actually viewing the layout? When viewing a layout, the eye is seeing a combination of 3D objects (the models) and 2D objects (a flat painted backdrop, for example). The eye cannot be fooled. The eye sees actual 3D objects in front of a flat background. When you take a photo, the entire scene is converted to 2D, as photos have no depth. Now the playing field is levelled - the flat background has just as much to contribute as the actual models. This is widely used in movies when actors are placed in front of matte background paintings - looks fake in real life, but once on film it is quite convincing. In 1942, when Casablanca was filmed, aircraft were in short supply due to the war - so the final airport scene was filmed in front of plywood cutouts of airplanes. And you can't tell!

It is always surprising what shows up in photos. Photos can be a great modeling tool - by taking a photo on your layout, and then examining it to see what "gives it away" that it is a model and not the real thing, showing you what aspects of your modeling could be improved a bit.

Case in point: I thought this pic of Cape Ann covered hopper 7484 was pretty convincing - until that shiny nickel-silver rail jumped out at me! A brush and some brown paint on the rail web corrected it. Compare before and after.