Challenge #5 - Build a Photo Diorama!

[wm3798]

While the Challenge #4 boat building project is ongoing, an idea has presented itself that I think will make a good 90 day challenge.

Stealing this idea from @VonRyan 's narrow gauge modeling group, this is something everyone can participate in.  Simply put, create a small diorama on which you can stage and photograph your models.



The rules are that basically there are no rules.  Not scale specific, era specific, and the size is limited only by what you need to set the stage for some nice pictures.
This will be a good way to lurch some of you armchair lurkers up out of the chair and over to the workbench.  Build something with a track to show off your engines and rolling stock, a street to show off your vehicles, or some scenery in which you can show off structures, or any combination of the three.  Hell, hang an airplane or a Huey over it.  It's entirely up to you.

The diorama can take any form you like.  A small shelf, an enclosed shadow box, even a full blown functioning module.  The only limitation is that it has to work for you!

Personally, I have several chunks of old layout floating around, but I'm open to the idea of making it a requirement to build something that's all new.  Any feedback on that would be welcome.

We can make this a 90 day challenge, so try to have your submission ready for prime time on or about March APRIL 10, 2020.  I'll try to work on creating some sort of grab bag of prizes to sweeten the pot.  Stay tuned to these pages for updates.

Usual progress posting rules apply.  Title your post with "Challenge 5" followed by your project title. In your opener, try to list the objectives you hope to achieve, and how you plan to go about putting it together.

Good luck, and have fun with it!
Lee
 

[mu26aeh]

I like it !

[dougnelson]

And is this only for new diorama's constructed starting today, or can we submit previously built dioramas?

[wm3798]

Well, @dougnelson , the challenge part is to build something.  I don't think it's the end of the world to submit something that's "in the can", because I'm having a similar thought.  I have some small sections of old layout that I could clean up, alter a bit, and turn into a photo bed, but that might give me a leg up on the competition.

The goal of the thing is to get some more folks more actively engaged in putting something together.

Maybe you could show your existing diorama(s) as examples that could give folks ideas in this thread, then work on a fresh one for a challenge entry.  How's that sound?

Lee

[mu26aeh]

Well, @dougnelson , the challenge part is to build something.  I don't think it's the end of the world to submit something that's "in the can", because I'm having a similar thought.  I have some small sections of old layout that I could clean up, alter a bit, and turn into a photo bed, but that might give me a leg up on the competition.

The goal of the thing is to get some more folks more actively engaged in putting something together.

Maybe you could show your existing diorama(s) as examples that could give folks ideas in this thread, then work on a fresh one for a challenge entry.  How's that sound?

Lee

Give you a leg up ?  Given what you did with the Cumberland T-trak, I'm certain people are already saying Thanks but no thanks

[wazzou]

And is this only for new diorama's constructed starting today, or can we submit previously built dioramas?

Agreed, I've already built one that is still unfinished though, so I could show present day to completion but I do not want or need another one.
I'd rather focus on the layout that needs to be started over.

[VonRyan]

Here’s the pertinent details for the challenge.

“The challenge: Build a diorama for you to use for photographing your models”

“Guidance: This is a piece of equipment for you to use to display and photograph your models. Consider how easily you can use the diorama and that it will spend time being stored or displayed. The ability to run items is unlikely to gain marks, character and interest will almost certainly gain approval.”

This is to be a new bit of modeling. (Hence why I started the second module for my On30 layout)
Now of course, you can also build it with an eye towards using it in an existing layout, or as a jumping off point for a new layout. Or you can just stick with it purely being a stage for photographing your models.


I’m just not sure yet if I’m going to use the same entry here (while working with the same time constraints as NGRM-Online), or if I’ll build a one-off just for here. All depends on what I have to hand and what I have space for.

[wm3798]

Agreed, I've already built one that is still unfinished though, so I could show present day to completion but I do not want or need another one.
I'd rather focus on the layout that needs to be started over.

I'm nothing if not flexible.  If you've got something started, then by all means, continue.  I'm just not sure that something that's "done" is really a challenge entry.  The couple of things I have that I can start with are pretty beat up, so I'm thinking if you're up front about it's condition at the outset, then whatever progress you make cleaning it up, improving it, and otherwise finishing it would qualify, and when the voting takes place, folks will take that into consideration.

If you don't have an interest in doing one, remember, this isn't a mandatory exercise.  I just thought it would be open ended enough to draw in some new activity from members we don't typically hear from.  I think it will also be a useful tool to motivate more modeling to get done if there's a nice backdrop to photograph it on.

Thanks for all the good feedback.  Now, who's going to be the first to jump in the ring?

Lee

[dem34]

I'll try my hand as I am a bit of a lurker.

 
Edit: Moved pics to individual topic to avoid clutter.

[wm3798]

@dem34  please start a thread here titled "Challenge #5 - Photo module (or something to that effect) so we can follow your progress in a single thread.  And we have our first entry!!

Lee

[mu26aeh]

Shouldn't it be around April 10 if it's a 90 day challenge ?   

I should get started on one if I'm going to do this.  Anyone else jumping in the shallow end of the pool with us ?

[wm3798]

Yes...  I had my calendar set to Gregorian time.  Sorry about that!
Lee

[narrowminded]

Does anybody who is participating want to try some code 40 track with tie plates and all?  Siding ties, branch ties, mains?  First two to give me a shout, I can probably hook you up at a very reasonable cost, with free shipping!   Remember, this is small diorama size, right?  

[chuck geiger]

This is crazy, I was just thinking about submitting this. With rules it had to be with only what you had on hand to build it.

[ednadolski]

try to have your submission ready for prime time on or about March APRIL 10, 2020.

This 4/10/2020 date is the right one then?

Ed