How I Build Dioramas.

[JohnReid]

Here is a Mercedes engine from a crashed Albatros I did as part of my diorama "Some Say He Walked Away."
this diorama was done in two stages first I did just the hangar and thought it was complete then Ken Hamilton (also one of the appraisers of my stuff)got a hold of me and said why don't you add more stuff outside the box itself.I was afraid to do so but he encouraged me to give it a try.So I followed the instructions in his book(unfortunately no longer available)" How to build scale model car dioramas)It was so much more satisfying to see the hanger with so much more going on.Ken is a great guy and so willing to share his knowledge.
I will find the pic on my computer and post it again.

[ScaleMotorcars]

Just an FYI on the pictures. You can use the two built in image uploaders, The Attach File when posting and the Attache Gallery Image. But you can also add 3rd party pictures. I know Photobucket pulls the image pretty fast but if its posted on this site for more then a day then I have the forum set up to import external images and replace the 3rd party image with the imported one. This way when external images get removed for whatever reason the forum still has the picture.

Also John. It looks like you tried to make a donation. It hasn't processed yet but Ill keep an eye on it and update your profile as soon as it does. Thanks for the help. Its greatly appreciated.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is a pic directly from my computer.Unfortunately, they are very large that is why I have been using Imgur to edit and resize them.They are also a little in soft focus as Canon cameras like to do when on Auto.

This is a pic from my "That Liberty shall not perish from the earth"diorama.It was a popular saying during WW1.The truck is a converted Ford T car.I really enjoy doing the old barnsiding look with the sun shining through the boards.Unfortunately the museum didn't follow my wishes and display it properly which would have easy for them to do and still is. It is the only box diorama that I have ever done and they depend mostly on proper lighting.
take a look at www.boxdioramas.com

[JohnReid]

I love Dirk's stuff too.
See: www.xsdreams.de

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Same basic pic different lighting.I think that I have a unique way of taking pics of my dioramas.It is completely unconventional but it works for me and it is cheap with no special equipment required.
Basically, it is this, a camera set on auto in one hand and an ordinary study type light in the other.Now just move the light around until you get an image you like and click move the light around a little and click again etc,etc.I learned this out of necessity and let the shadows created work for me to light up faces,uniforms etc...and also to create some drama and atmosphere to the mix.I know a lot of great diorama makers that take great pics but are afraid to add figures to them because they are not great figure painters.Generally in order to tell a great story you need figures and they also add a sense of scale to your piece.In my opinion a lot of figures are overpainted anyway and look like toys.I just underpaint them and let the light paint them for me.This works especially well mostly for enclosed box type dioramas or for picture taking where you can control the light.I will experiment with this in my upcoming car vignettes.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The Camel has been stripped down for export to Hollywood for use in the movies.The CNR truck is hauling it down to the station.During the 20s and 30s movies featuring airplanes were very popular.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Here is a nice composition for a vignette(builder unknown)Notice how he structured the scene so that only a portion of the hangar is visible and the rest is left to the imagination of the viewer.I especially like the roof line and the way he has opened it up for maximum visability.Having the floor at an angle is following one of the basics of modeling dioramas,never put anything parallel with the base.This is quite difficult with such a small space that I am working with.It is hard to put the car at an angle but I can work with the rest to compensate.

[JohnReid]

Just an FYI on the pictures. You can use the two built in image uploaders, The Attach File when posting and the Attache Gallery Image. But you can also add 3rd party pictures. I know Photobucket pulls the image pretty fast but if its posted on this site for more then a day then I have the forum set up to import external images and replace the 3rd party image with the imported one. This way when external images get removed for whatever reason the forum still has the picture.

Also John. It looks like you tried to make a donation. It hasn't processed yet but Ill keep an eye on it and update your profile as soon as it does. Thanks for the help. Its greatly appreciated.

This site is now the only one that I contribute my work to I got out of everythig else because I want concentrate on building and photography of my models especially cars and trucks.I always enjoyed taking pics of my models maybe even more than building them.
I also want to become a member of the Alliance but I am running into the same problem with payment but I will try again.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This pic was posted using the URL on Imgur.
It is a pic of an old airshow car rusting away at the back of a hangar.