IMHO, I don't think that a better quality camera/ equipment, or digital editing in whatever way, can neccessarily make your picture a winner.
I've got proof in my own collection where I've taken a shot- in real life- and just followed the photographic rules of thumb using a 3.5 Megapixel camera and I compare it to my new camcorder's 7 Megapixel stills shots and not all the pics come out that great on the newer camera.
Look at Jeffery Wemberly's shots that he takes with his so called 'cheap' camera- they look fine. I've seen pics win compititions that were taken in bad light as well.
I think a sticky thread should be put up giving suggestions and guidelines for taking shots with models, there is no need to go fancy with the proper equipment. Perhaps all photographic compitions can be kept in this thread. All that there needs to be is the shot- whatever that may be- and a short story- "BigBoy Climbing Sherman Hill" for example.
Here are some suggestions that I can offer and I'm sure that you all are fimiliar with one or two of them:
1st- MOST IMPORTANT: LIGHT, LIGHT, LIGHT: This is what counts in the end, you need to have sufficient lighting to make sure all the details show up, but not so bright that your shot comes out white on the camera. Besides having as much light on in the room and having lights shine from behind you, place a sheet of white paper, cardboard or styrafoam on either end of your subject, just out of view of where your shot will be focused on. This helps reflect light onto the subject.
Take the same picture three or four times- your camera has ample space to take lots of pics. You'll notice that each of the pics come out slightly different with a certain detail blurry, or one shot darker than another, etc. Choose the best one from there.
If you want to, maybe blurr some lights to make the lighting not so strong from that certain light, if you have windows- open the curtains.
2nd- LOCATION: In real life it is better to take a shot of the same subject- the train in our case- in different locations, than to take of different trains in the same location. Maybe, if you don't have a layout, take it from a different viewpoint or angle. Place different figures and cars (automobiles- and trains wagons I suppose), just to make it look different. If you don't have a layout, ask a buddy or club of yours if you can't take a picture of your train or loco on a section of their track- take whatever's needed along.
3rd- MAKE SCENES: Normally, when we show our layouts to people or kids, they just look at the train once and they are bored, but if your layout has different scenes, you'll see that they stay interested for longer. A rule I personally stick by is every 30cm (1 Foot). The same goes for a train in a shot, people need to see that there is "life" on your layout- unless of course you're modelling the desert and there's no one around for kilometers (although there are tons of other details a desert can offer). What makes a picture of a BigBoy?- A shot of it going over Sherman hill- it's home terretory (or in steam days talk: it's stamping ground). Yes, we cannot fit Sherman Hill on our layouts but we can certainly fit a BigBoy with three wagons behind it exiting a tunnel portal.
In real life when taking a shot of a steam loco you normally try to get it so that the connecting rods are as close as possible to the ground so that one can see all the details, etc. On your layout you have the opportunity of you 0-5-0 shunter to place the loco(s) in the right spot and at the right moment so that the conrods are in the "correct" position.
Look at the pictures in magazines of model and real life trains the shots are, normally, close to the train. I've got an old back issue of December 1989 Railroad Model Craftsman (wow, I was only three then). On the cover is a snow scene, with two cars stopped at a railway crossing. 3/4 of the Susquehana SD45 is showing, the railroad crossing board, the roof and one side of a goods shed is showing with a wagon on the other end and a whole lot of trees to close the scene, in my opinion, that's a good shot. If you have digital and are modelling the US with their different light codes you can activate lighting effects while the train is standing still.
Lastly: Yes, I know we don't all have layouts and we don't want to go maybe to that extra effort with lighting, but these are just suggestions. As far as I'm concerned, digital smoke and backrounds don't make the picture always look better. Believe in yourself as well that just maybe people will like this shot, I know I've put stuff up here that I didn't really like myself, but it's all I've had to offer, and people have given some great comments (of course everyone here has great personalities).
REMEMBER: We're all here to have fun, not stress who's looks better, or whether or not people are gonna appreciate a picture as much as you do. If you want to stress, go to work. . . .
:-D:-D (And I'm certainly not denigrating that particular talent.)