Really Thoughtful Article

Rob,

Thanks for a thoughtful, solid article. Like animation, I believe "the story" can be the thread that pulls modeling or videos into something cohesive and enjoyable, and makes the end results much, much better than the sum of its parts. The more I try to do it, the more I realize how much work, and at times, how much more involving it can be! I'm not convinced I will ever really master it, but it is fun to try.

Well presented!

Best regards,

Geoff Bunza

A man of many talents

Hi Rob

Thanks for a great article and videos that were, to me, perfectly pitched.  You have provided a great balance of inspiration and technical knowledge.  

There is abosolutely no need to apologise for the voice.  That soft Geordie accent brought back many happy memories of watching Auf Wiedersehen Pet, and the stunning sight, when driving through Gateshead, of The Angle of the North.

Talents? - master of none

Geoff - many thanks. I think you have "hit the nail on the head" regarding never being able to master the many aspects of model railroading. However, that is the endless fascination of the hobby.
Animation (you are the master of this by the way) and also ambient sound are on my very large list of "fun things to explore" and the Arduino beckons . As a (long time) ex-computer programmer it will be interesting to see if my brain still functions in the requisite way.

Peter - I greatly appreciate your comments. Getting the technical/artistic balance correct was my great worry because this article and it's subject has the risk of being a bit "nerdy" (for want of a better term).
Accent - what accent?
I also have fond memories of Auf Wiedersehen Pet. There is a vague possibility you may have come across "Spender" - written and starring the great Jimmy Nail. A lot of this was filmed around where we live.
I like the Angel of the North, but Jean hates it with a passion - it seems to divide people. I have a vivid memory of it being erected, with only one wing in place - very odd sight!

Rob Clark
Cornhill & Atherton RR

Very well done

Rob,

A great article, and since I also own a D5100, very relevant to me! Keep up the good work, I always enjoy reading your inspiring posts.

Ross A

Inspiring

Rob,

Nice article!! You have inspired me to try a video (add it to the list!!). The locos look great and the scenery and structures look good too. The videos showcase the modeling very well.

Guy

 "That soft Geordie

made me think of Mark Knopfler's song about Jeremiah  Dixon and Charlie Mason......DaveB  

Thanks for the timely article

Thanks Rob for this extremely well timed article on MR video basics. I just uploaded my second in train video with a mini Sony video camera in a gon which unless the viewer is really interested I my layout, just isn't that interesting.

Coincidentally, I have the same DSLR as you and my biggest problems has been focus. Good to know I'm not crazy. 

Thanks for your help and I'm going to go look for a better tripod this afternoon.

Tom Ebert

Excellent summation of what it takes

Rob,

You blended the technical and aesthetic aspects of making a model RR video in a very concise and easy to understand article - BRAVO. 

Your demonstration video was well done and I have made many of the mistakes shown in your blooper video.

BTW, I have found an anti-aliiasing filter from Mosaic Engineering helps reduce the moire effects - info at  http://mosaicengineering.com/

George

Rob, a very timely and well

Rob, a very timely and well done article. Very complete even though you say it was an overview. Excellent work with your camera and composition. I have picked up lots of tips from this thanks for sharing.

Soft Geordies

Thank you all for your kind comments - makes it all worthwhile

Ross - the Nikon D5100 may be getting a little long in the tooth now, but I fell in love with mine when I got it and the feeling hasn't gone away. Great balance between cost and functionality.
Guy - good to hear from you. How is the Willoughby line these days? - you need to blog on MRH more

Dave - "Sailing to Philadelphia" I think: -  great song.
Curiously enough Mark Knopfler comes from a small town in Northumberland called Gosforth same as me. I was also a musician, but Mark got very very famous and I didn't .
PS I'm not a soft Geordie - all Geordies are hard - it's something to do with the northern weather.

Tom - You sure ain't crazy. Focus is tricky, but most definitely comes with practice. My first efforts were laughable and to be honest I still have room for improvement.

George - good tip on the anti-aliasing filter. The D5100 has a built in filter (I think, curiously removed on the D5300 to increase image sharpness). However, as you can see from the example in the article, extreme conditions can still out-fox an AA filter.

Rob (in Texas) - I'm pleased you got some tips. It was great fun putting it all together.

Rob (not in Texas) Clark