"Backdrop for naval gaming" Topic

Do you use a backdrop to add to the atmosphere of your table when naval gaming? While working on some odds and ends in the old Tin Shed today I slapped some acrylic paint on an old bit of canvas today and am quite pleased with the results given I did it in 10 minutes with no forethought/planning.

Now the 'mat' (e.g. old tablecloth) I use looks rubbish – I guess it always did – will have to work on that next!

I'd be keen to see what anyone else uses for backdrops.

Somehow the lilac sea doesn't look out of context.

Dear Alan,

I don't get to game as I'd like, but I'm a TRUE BELIEVER in making each game opportunity a treat for the eye (and the camera that records each event).

Railroad layout quality terrain isn't practical--or desirable--for most things, and shouldn't be the goal anyway, for land action table top games. Naval action games generally should be easier since the "terrain" is pretty much two dimensional.

That said, any game that can't at least temporarily for the sake of the camera, have a backdrop available to hide the usual furniture, windows, bookshelves, and--worst of all!--Gamer Bellies that usually decorate the horizon, has given up the chance to showcase the hard work put into the painted and based figures, flags, terrain, buildings, and all the lovely details lavished on the toys.

You've just shown everyone one way to remedy that, cheaply and, by your description, easily. Of course, you also show a degree of talent with that brush I personally don't have, but that's not the issue.

Of course, you've also hit on another truth of any progress: An improvement in one place shows up the greater need for more improvement somewhere else.

Yeah, Alan, that (purple?) "ocean" has got to go. But please don't get a "blue" table cloth, or any other cloth. If you don't want to invest in any of the outstanding ocean battlemats (canvass or "rubber," the largest and best but priciest from the UK) from providers in the Manufacturers list here at TMP (use the search engine), then consider the various types of plastic/vinyl materials.

Plastic tarps work well, and when shot from low angles give a good degree of reflectivity and an artificial "swell" that look great in photos. Some clear plastic/vinyl sheets bought at the length and width of your game table can be laid over top of more painted surfaces (like your backdrop), providing a much more nuanced sea with shading and depth not found in the uniform tarp.

In any case, keep after this and keep sharing your different results with the rest of us.

More power to you, Sir!

TVAG

Your backdrop is nice. Use it for solo games and photo sessions I suppose or do you and a number of others actually game with acess to one side of the table gone?

Sometimes when I't snappin a few shots I'll just set up a blue foam board up behind for the background. And sometimes it works out really well. Especially for some of the Winter shots. The scrapes & ripples kinda look like clouds on a really cold day, sometimes…
Check it out:
link

Backdrop is great, certainly does not look like a rush job.

Backdrop looks Great! Always a good thing to have in the background when taking pics of the game table.

Must have been black and white and got colorized. The guy who colorized hit the wrong button when colorizing the sea.

Thank you all for your encouragement. I agree entirely that having such a backdrop adds to the tabletop.

I agree the lilac is a little much! In truth, the cloth is pale blue under natural light.

Allen57, I do mostly game solo so there is not the issue of having to get others around the table.

I actually have a clear PVC mat I place over the 'sea of lilac' which gives a reasonable effect. The look is about right for actions in the Pacific/Indian Ocean such as my annual refight of the Battle of Cocos Islands:

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Ceterman, the blue foam serves you very well. Some great photography and scenics you have there. The fairly plain background really makes the terrain and miniatures pop out more too.

TVAG. You cleverly capture the tension between wanting model railroad-style realism versus having a practical (and in my case) achievable gaming surface. I agree that practicality should rule – although I admire this that achieve both.

I agree entirely that gamers bellies and sundry furniture, pets, and clothes horses full of washing (see above!) are not welcome in the background! In the past I've sacrificed the shot to cut such things out. This is a step in the right direction.

I take up the challenge to upgrade the surface now, and yes, there are some wonderful products and manufacturers out there I'd love to support. Alas, postage to Australia does put such things a little out of reach at present. The tarp sounds a great idea – will have a look.

That leaves me the option of making my own at the moment to I'll hop to it – the main choice is what colour. A little searching brought up an interesting discussion on ocean colour here: link

Generally, I feel a little torn between the brilliant waters of the Pacific/Indian Ocean for my Sydney vs Emden scenario etc:

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… and the moody, cold waters off the Falklands:
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Will update on progress – thanks for your comments.

Alan,

I like your use of cotton to simulate funnel smoke. I've been thinking about doing the same thing, but I worry about how to affix the cotton with damaging the models (such as if I want to remove the cotton later). What do you use to attach the cotton?

Virtual Armchair General,

Your line about the "Gamer Bellies that usually decorate the horizon" made me laugh out loud. That alone was worth the price of admission. (My own gamer belly is similarly lacking in aesthetic appeal, and as I have yet to game with supermodels or the like, I have never seen a gamer belly worthy of photographic preservation).

Mr Byron,

The Virtual Armchair General's observations had a similar effect – and a degree of self conscious 'sucking in of gut'! Indeed, he has earned his supper.

Thanks. The funnel smoke is created with dacron pillow stuffing. If you roll it into a bit of a sausage it is light enough that you can just sit it up on the funnels of the Panzerschiffe models. I also use it on the table for fog banks to indicate if squadrons can see each other or not (e.g. in misty conditions).

For instance, in a quick refight of Battle off Ulsan yesterday (using Coaling Stations rules), Vice Admiral Hikonojō's cruisers were pounded by the Russian cruisers Rossia, Gromoboi and Rurik …

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… then Rear Admiral Jessen slipped away into the sea mist.
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I take up the challenge to upgrade the surface now, and yes, there are some wonderful products and manufacturers out there I'd love to support. Alas, postage to Australia does put such things a little out of reach at present

Shipping can be a killer. You could always purchase one of the water mat files from someone like Wargame Print (available directly from the vendor or via Wargames Vault) and then find a local sign company to print the file for you on a banner/fabric. Lay the print under the clear PVC for added "wetness".