Mann's Picture Frame Diorama

[tom mann]

I'm happy with the variety of photos that are possible with even a small diorama:





Shooting photos on a diorama is like going to your favorite spot to watch trains: a lot stays the same, but some variety is still possible.

Where it all was at the end of July:

[Chris333]

You mean it was all pink and white and you changed that???

[sd80mac]

Wow! You have a great eye for model photography! BTW, what is the weight restriction on that bridge!  : :-* :-[ :-\ ;D

[tom mann]

You mean it was all pink and white and you changed that???

Yeah, I know, I should have used blue foam... ;D

[tom mann]

Wow! You have a great eye for model photography! BTW, what is the weight restriction on that bridge!  : :-* :-[ :-\ ;D

Thanks!  The bridge does indeed look a little lightweight, it must be for "old tyme" operations.

[Pray59]

Your diorama looks great! Just as realistic as John Cubbin's excellent work, but your rolling stock blows away the competition. One thing I found is that by just rotating a module or diorama in the setting sunlight, you can fine so many more great photo angles you never notices, and many of those shots will look like they are a completely different scene! ;D

-Robert

[tom mann]

Your diorama looks great! Just as realistic as John Cubbin's excellent work,

Thanks!  But, I'm not so sure on the Cubbin comparision.  John's work is wonderfully realistic in color and texture - something I just can't replicate. 

For those of you who don't know who John Cubbin is, he is the guy behind http://ztrains.com/ and builds and sells custom dioramas.  When I first saw his work late last year, I made the commitment to build scenery.  In fact, my diorama just about copies his, but my work really does pale in comparision.  A gallery of John's work is here:  http://rosetown.ch/Dioramas/dioramahome.htm

At the beginning of this year, I started to experiment with my first scenery based on the "Cubbin Feel".  I built this small little thingy to test out colors, textures, trees, and grass:  http://mannresearch.com/rr/misc/smallmodule_03.jpg

[JR59]

Incredible pictures Tom, and your Diorama is fantastic too. I always love to take pictures from different angles and the let the sunshine doing the rest. Often I think I prefer making pictures instead of running Trains.
In the next few days I'll receive my next Diorama from John and at the end of the year I'll get the long awaited Snow Diorama. Next week I'll update my website but I can give you a sneak preview:

[kevdog77]

That is beautiful work, Tom.