Lighting: what works for you??

[Eastern Roads]

Since joining this site, I've shot more pictures than ever of the layout. I've always thought the pics in MRR were the greatest, but I'm seeing a whole lot of Photo Shop going on there. I think the rules of shooting the pictures without any alteration is a good thing. So it brings me to paying more attention to the lighting. In my train room, it's lit generally by fluorescent lighting, but under the upper deck, I use a string of white lights like you see on Christmas Trees, along with two sets (and more to come) of the under cabinet halogen lights they sell at Home Depot for $20 for three pieces. I use the cabinet lights to highlight scenes, as the light string isn't cutting it except for when I run the trains with the room lights off. Here's a couple shots of my lighting:
This one highlights a scene...



And here's a pic where you can see one of the cabinet lights, and two of the scenes they're highlighting



Here's a pic (look in the background to the right of the locos) where you can see a string of the other lights.




I'm considering using track lighting for the upper deck, since it seems like the lower deck is working out with my light plan (so far).

What kind of lighting do you guys use with your layouts?? And if you use any special lighting with your pictures, what works for you?? Would you show us, and Thanks for any input!

[Daryl]

I'm using a combination of a low voltage rope lite (25'), 4' fluorescent and a track light spot system for high lites
there are no pics yet because the lay out is still in the spline phase

[Eastern Roads]

Seems we're pretty close on the lighting plan. I have found the fluorescent lights throw off the color both on the equipment and the ambient lighting as well. On the May Pic of the month, I turned off the fluorescents and used a 300W Halogen work light to try to get a more natural color. It was better, but I guess going to a filament type light is probably the way to go, unless there's some fluorescent bulb available that produces a more natural light. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears!!

[Daryl]

I think you can get a type of natural light in fluorescent (grow lights for plants)
I had them long ago for my aquarium plants and fish

[hoscalemodeler1967]

is this thread just for overhead layout lighting?,or can it be for actual layout lighting? or maybe we can do a separate thread on "whats used for your actual lighting"

[hoscalemodeler1967]

Originally Posted by Daryl

I think you can get a type of natural light in fluorescent (grow lights for plants)
I had them long ago for my aquarium plants and fish

for your aquarium huh?,LOL,,,sureeeeee,LMAO

[BostonMBTA2008]

lol where has your mind gone...

[Eastern Roads]

NOT!! This thread was originally intended to try and get some feedback on what kind of lighting works in or around the layout. I was concerned (and still am) in trying to find a good lighting source, especially for picture taking, as the fluorescents seem to "wash out" some of the coloring.
Since I wrote this thread, I've been looking into putting up track lighting to highlight scenes, but haven't decided on going with halogen, or standard incandescent bulbs. The twinkle lights I've been scrutinizing as well, I'm considering going with a rope light to bring more lighting onto the first level.

I also came across some clamp on lights I put 60 watt bulbs in to try to come up with some lighting options when I'm taking pictures.

I'm glad to see you two posting, and obviously you know each other!
What's your thoughts??

[hoscalemodeler1967]

ya,,we know each other through the dusty world of mod cars. i'm Rob, the other dude is Ben. i really don't know how to reply to this one. theres alot of different factors. color of walls for reflection,etc will determine your lighting. i have terrible lighting in here. but i would think track lighting hooked to a dimmer switch and using clear 60 watt bulbs or 75watt.

great forum btw. spiders kinda a pain,,but what ya gonna do eh?,lol,j/jking

[CPrail]

My Lighting is Florescent lighting,the usual 4 foot long tubes but I use the Green house bulbs,they tend to flicker a bit (Which drives everyone in the club nuts) but the light seems more natural,when I shoot a scene I make sure it's in the Morning and use as much natural light as possible,I always use the timer on my camera (Never use my shutter button) this avoids any camera shake,I never use the flash ( Tends to wash out the picture) and I set my capture rate to just a smidge more than Auto so it will catch the colors just that much longer,I enjoy takeing shots of my layouts the one below is of my "N" scale under my flourescent lighting with the door open.