Vignettes Along The Branch Line (1)

The Longmont switch rolls along on a cold winter day with the days business. 

Still working on the LT&N!  

Happy Summer everyone.

board by board, nails and all.. why I love O scale! 

Re: old house and what I think is an Oldsmobile...no one, absolutely no one should be this talented and skilled!...

Howard

@sawdust43 posted:

Re: old house and what I think is an Oldsmobile...no one, absolutely no one should be this talented and skilled!...

Howar

Thank you kindly Howard.

Back to the subject of trains, the Yampa Valley Mail flies through East Portal on its way through to Denver with FT 5484 and friends circa late 50’s or early 60’s. Taken on location on the Moffat Road a little deviation from the usual branch line photos. 

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

Hello Erik,

I found this photo to be extremely well done as the lighting and the highlights in the smoke from the engine were balanced.

Your modeling and photography skills are superb. 

Could you briefly explain the technique you used for this photo as I'm certain many of us are just as curious?

Thanks!

Wow, great shots as always! 

This is so advanced!! Just wow!

I am glad you all enjoy the pictures. 

@Allegheny posted:

Hello Erik,

I found this photo to be extremely well done as the lighting and the highlights in the smoke from the engine were balanced.

Your modeling and photography skills are superb. 

Could you briefly explain the technique you used for this photo as I'm certain many of us are just as curious?

Thanks!

I have been trying to figure out a way to explain for some time now working on a series of articles for a magazine that has asked me. In this frame it’s one of my straight modules situated in the favorable light with my structures in their respective places. The steam is an added feature that I develop in a painting program, its treated like an illustration with the models as the focus of the image. There is far more to it than that, I hope that it makes sense. Thank you for the kind compliment. 

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

 

I have been trying to figure out a way to explain for some time now working on a series of articles for a magazine that has asked me. In this frame it’s one of my straight modules situated in the favorable light with my structures in their respective places. The steam is an added feature that I develop in a painting program, its treated like an illustration with the models as the focus of the image. There is far more to it than that, I hope that it makes sense. Thank you for the kind compliment. 

Hello Erik,

Thank you for your response.  I knew conceptually how you set up the scenes, but your treatment of the steam/smoke emission from the locomotive was spot on.  This is what captured my curiosity.  

You mentioned that you use a paint program, is there any way of demonstrating this via a video as I'd like to see how it's actually done?

Also what is the cost of your book at this time?

Thanks!

Wanted to add this to the thread …

The Rocky Mountain Rocket at Strasburg, Colorado heads east for Chicago.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

I never get tired of your work. Great as always!

Awe thanks Lee feeling is very mutual.

Erik, Beautiful modeling and photography work. I love those DRGW  C- 48 locos.  30 years ago I painted and weathered a pair of them for a NYC area collector. Being a Rio Grande fan it was hard to send them back to the customer!!

Approximately how long does it take to compose and photograph a scene? 

All your work is truly inspirational and on a fine art level. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Inspirational modeling.  Most of us see our own layouts this way, but few can carry off the prototypical perspective illustrated by these photos.

Thanks Bill!

@Dave Funk posted:

Approximately how long does it take to compose and photograph a scene?

I am doing an article for a magazine I'll let you know when it comes out.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

Awe thanks Lee feeling is very mutual.

Wow, Erik. High praise indeed from one of the best modelers/photographers I've ever seen.

Can't wait to see your RMC article!

I often share your photos via texts with friends of mine also in the hobby and they always make comments about how impressed they are as well.

Hey thanks Lee! I'll see if I can add some new content here today.

Eric , wonderful modeling and photography

@Dave Koehler posted:

Eric , wonderful modeling and photography

I promised some new content been so busy the last 2 years and recently with the kids. I’ll see if I can edit some new stuff today! Thanks Dave for the nice comment it’s always a privilege.

Doing some re edits for someone I thought I’d share my bliss with the thread here.

backlit along the river who can’t resist a shot of that, it’s been said among my clan here along the old C&S Denver Sub to Cheyenne that no the C48s never ran up to Fort Collins but they did on my layout! ☺️😂

From the low shadows at Derby, CO the CB&Q Denver/Chicago Limited is passing track speed to Chicago on its way near Barr Lake.

Ice Cold Coca-Cola anyone?

My initial reaction a few minutes ago when I saw the OP was: are you kidding me that these photos are of models, not the real thing?

IMO, the photos in the original post by Erik back in 2016 are outstanding. The trains, structures and scenery look so real. Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

My initial reaction a few minutes ago when I saw the OP was: are you kidding me that these photos are of models, not the real thing?

IMO, the photos in the original post by Erik back in 2016 are outstanding. The trains, structures and scenery look so real. Arnold

Hey Arnold, thanks for the post here.

I’ve been at this at least since 2009, Ken Patterson since 1980s when he inspired me to photo my models when I was kid 1980s. I’ve always been excited about his stuff; I don’t think he likes me as I’ve reached out to him with no luck many times over the years but I’ve learned a lot seeing his amazing stuff like virtually every cover of Mainline Modeler since 1983 or so not to mention countless advertising gigs with everyone from Athearn to Bachmann. I’m glad you enjoy the pictures. OGR is very generous allowing me to share here and the OGR forum is one of the best sources to share online in model railroading it’s a strong platform that the Google bots always find.

Eric,

What do you like better, photography or model trains. You are outstanding at both.

Dick

@CBQer posted:

Eric,

What do you like better, photography or model trains. You are outstanding at both.

Dick

Thank you kindly Mr Donaway ☺️

I should add this one to this thread.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

The Longmont switch rolls along on a cold winter day with the days business.

Still working on the LT&N!  

Happy Summer everyone.

Eric, I just wanted to say your imaging talents are outstanding. Thanks for sharing all those great pictures.

Paul

Any news on the RMC article? I know Otto takes a while getting stuff printed, as I submitted an article he wanted about 2 years ago...

@p51 posted:

Any news on the RMC article? I know Otto takes a while getting stuff printed, as I submitted an article he wanted about 2 years ago...

You know ..... OGR would like to see more submissions of 2-rail articles and layouts.  After all, the name is "O Gauge Railroading Magazine" and so we welcome TWO and THREE rail O gauge articles!!

Erik ... as usual fantastic work and very hard to tell if your modeling is "real or Memorex" (hope you all remember those days LOL!)

Thank you Mr Arnold, it’s so nice to hear from you. 👍

Thanks guys! Always a privilege to hear from you guys!

Excellent!

Thanks again Coach!