Is doctoring a model railway photograph acceptable?
This is a subject that raises comment from time to time and professional publishers in particular seem to fret about how far they should go in enhancing the photo with artistic embellishments. I can recall instances in the 'Railway Modeller' where on one cover Peter Denny was shown alongside his Leighton Buzzard layout with the surrounding railway room crudely cut out of the photo. On another, Christmas edition, the cover picture showed a layout with snow applied over the photo by an artistic hand. It looked very effective but, did not exist in reality.
During 2011 I ran a poll on this blog to find out what my readers think about it. Here are the results.
Is it OK to hide non-model stuff in view?
35% of votes (the majority) felt this was quite acceptable. When we look at a model photo, especially of a layout set in an historical context, we want to think that it is like the real thing and not have our illusion destroyed by seeing the surrounding clutter and fittings of the railway room. Layouts that are set out in an attic environment are especially prone to this problem as often the rafters are in view just a few inches above the far side of the baseboard.
It is no bad thing if we replace non model stuff in view with a photographic back scene that blends with the foreground model.
Have a look at Ashprington Road to see what I mean.
Is it OK to add engine smoke effects?
26% of votes said 'yes'. Sometimes, for the prototype when the engine is coasting, there may be no steam and smoke billowing out. But it is more often than not present so, why should we not enhance our model train with this effect? It all adds to the atmosphere we want to portray.
Whatever takes your fancy
21% don't mind what you do to your model photo.
Never
16% expect to see your model photographed as it really is, warts and all.
Is it OK to 'air bush' the photo to enhance the look of the model?
2% voted for this, suggesting that this is a step too far.
This poll may not be very scientific and the votes were small in number so please don't take it too seriously.
