Today the subject for your consideration is setting up backdrops for model cars that you are photographing. I am not talking about dioramas, as those are permanent displays and involve a much greater degree of preparation and work. Instead, this is about arranging temporary settings behind the model you are photographing that make it look as though it is a real 1.1 scale car. Not only is this a fun and creative activity, but you may soon find that it can build a whole new level of enjoyment to our model car hobby.

I've approached every magazine Editor I've worked with for the last two decades about a feature story on this subject, and every single one has respectfully declined to run it. The general view I think could be summed up as a judgment that most model car builders don't care that much about photographing their work in a semi-professional setting, and certainly not in a background that makes it look like a real car rather than a scale replica. I trust these guys and accept their conclusion, but I also think that at least a few of you would still be interested in the subject and enjoy reading about it. So, I've posted the entire (unpublished) article at my Fotki site, and I encourage you to click the link below, use the "Roll View" feature, and read the photo captions/view the pix at your leisure (no password needed). .

Just one example...as shown below, in the article I describe and show how I set up the imagery that ended up on the cover of the first-ever issue of AutoModeler magazine a few months ago....

Whether your photography of model cars and trucks in a scenic background ends up as the lead image in a model magazine article, shared with your friends on your favorite social media site, or just kept for your own personal use, I'm guessing you'll have a good deal of fun creating your own lifelike scenes - and isn't that what auto modeling is supposed to be about?

Thanks for looking, and best wishes for a fantastic 2025 to you all and your families! And thanks, again, to Matt and Dawn for providing this venue to share this hobby we all love so much...TIM