Controlling the point of view

[Jakko]

No raccoons around here, but I think there's a population of them in Germany somewhere? Hedgehogs are pretty small, the biggest ones are maybe 25 cm long and almost as wide But they make a lot of noise at times, different noises at that, and most people who hear it would not associate them with these animals.

 

[blakeh1]

One thing I have been toying with for diorama's, or at least "meant to be viewed from one intended angle", is using forced perspective to create an illusion of depth using various scales for models

For example a Bandai 1/48 X-Wing in the front, a Bandai 1/72 X-Wing right next to it and the Bandai Death Star Tiles (some really small scale like 1/350 or so). Possibly even add a 1/144 one as well.
The whole thing would not be very deep for a shelf or cabinet type of display, but gives the appearance of being so. You just have to get the lighting right to avoid unwanted shadows that could ruin the illusion
The two x-wings in this picture are nearly touching wing tips



Another one I really want to try is a dive bomber in the foreground and a ship sideways mounted on the wall similar to this 1/72 SBD and a 1/700 carrier



or a takeoff point of view like this

 

[BarleyBop]

... very cool. Even if just for a photograph.

All three, great examples. I hadn't considered using different scales for forced perspective.

As a kid, I remember spending hours with my face squashed on the carpet, looking for that perfect angle... and that magic moment of suspended belief.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Interesting topic. I am somewhat of an artist in many mediums practiced and used throughout my life. Modeling and dioramas was were I felt I could express "views" or view point by placing the model(s) in the right setting that emotes the most of the subject. It doesn't always have to be in the predictable way either. A lot of this carried over for me when I became a custom drum builder. Drums are pretty similar between companies, so there are characteristics that a company will use to separate themselves from others. In my approach, it was adding my artwork to the shell itself, actually hand painted or drawn, which at the time, wasn't a thing. Drums were usually wrapped, or stained, painted or the like, but actual renderings by artist was not yet a thing. I as well as maybe three others at the time were doing everything by hand and with many different subjects and styles.

This gained traction in the custom world rather quickly and eventually some of the big brands tried a dabble with it, but very quickly they put the graphics on wraps or skins, and they were graphic images. Some worked, some didn't. It's not as easy as it would seem to create and image that flows with the depth of, and roundness of a drum, not to mention the hardware type and colors. Anyway, I guess the point I am trying to express here with the combination of an instrument (model) and a distinct form of artwork working with the aesthetics of both (like becoming a working diorama), worked best when expressed from the artist themself. It is either appreciated or understood by the viewer, or it wasn't.

As artist/modelers/builders we express many aspects of life through our chosen subject and the way we present it. Stay true to yourself in that approach, it will help you find the best in yourself as you progress in the many techniques of modeling and forming dioramas. Some will be hits, some will be misses, but if we surrender ourselves to the easiest ways of end goals only, everything becomes a duller shade of gray. Anyway, I've rambled on enough and not even sure if this helps in regards to the topic itself...lol.

Just a small sample of the artwork I've done in the drum world...

 

[BarleyBop]

Amazing work!

Years ago I played in a community bateria de samba, from the big primera surdo, down to the little tamborim. How awesome would it have been to sport work like yours!

And for those of us who may not consider ourselves 'artists', it is good to hear someone weigh in and 'give permission' to just go for it!

 

[BarleyBop]

I felt I could express "views" or view point by placing the model(s) in the right setting that emotes the most of the subject. It doesn't always have to be in the predictable way either.

The great thing about this statement is that it applies both literally and figuratively. 'Framing the view' can just as easily be about a particular event, a moment in history or a situation. Not just the physical environment on the battlefield.

When I chose to build my Morris CS8 in an interwar situation in Palestine, I was definitely thinking about the continuing catastrophe wrought by colonial powers in the region, dating back millenia. I could have made it overtly political, but that wasn't my intent. I was pleased to show that particular vehicle in use by the Black Watch, and the situation was a different lens through which to view the Morris, rumbling through the streets of Jerusalem.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

The great thing about this statement is that it applies both literally and figuratively. 'Framing the view' can just as easily be about a particular event, a moment in history or a situation. Not just the physical environment on the battlefield.

When I chose to build my Morris CS8 in an interwar situation in Palestine, I was definitely thinking about the continuing catastrophe wrought by colonial powers in the region, dating back millenia. I could have made it overtly political, but that wasn't my intent. I was pleased to show that particular vehicle in use by the Black Watch, and the situation was a different lens through which to view the Morris, rumbling through the streets of Jerusalem.

Exactly. And when you get it right, you not only engage the viewer with an exact moment caught and framed, you get them intrigued in such a way that they imagine what may have occurred leading up to the moment, or wondering what happened afterwards. To achieve this, details matter, big and small. So inject some personal experience into the diorama. If you have figures such as a tank crew with their vehicle, give them small details showing character or traits of who they may be outside of being a "tanker". A small state flag pin or patch integrated into their uniform or personal equipment. A cowboy hat hanging in a personal space, sports team hat or logo, a magazine or pictures/poster.

Anything that reveals some personality about the life they came from before being thrust into the situation they are in now. We all have a lot of life experiences and inspiration to draw from, we don't always have to look outwardly to find examples of what we want to emote, some of the best "art" we express comes from within us and our experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

 

[BarleyBop]

... still on the subject of 'viewpoint' and unusual setting, here is a photo of a '52 GMC 211(?), buried to its ankles, stripped of different bits, in a playground, in a zoo! The bed gate is lowered, with a wooden platform/steps for kids to climb in.

 

[Grumpa]

Actually….solar panels still produce about 30% of their normal capacity when covered with snow.
And wind turbines work perfectly well in snow and ice over here. They have de-icer equipment built in, just like airplanes.

Don't believe everything Trumpton says….

Actually Loco- what ever, I am a retired master electrician so one should have a bit of manners
and a bit of foresight before making such a derogatory statement alluding to the fact that I would need
"President Trump" (by the way) to educate me on the facts of electric power creation and transmission.
Windmills SUCK! solar panels SUCK! Wanna go to a bird cemetery? Why all you need to do is go to
you nearest 'bird murderer' your precious oversized ceiling fan. They are also known to disorient migrating
bird species with their powerful magnetic fields forcing some to deviate from their courses and fly out to sea to perish.
Been wondering why your little songbirds are disappearing? Well now there you go.

Your wonderful offshore monstrosities have been found to also disorient whales and dolphins, ever wonder why
record numbers are beaching them selves all over the world? 'there's your sign" read it won't you before you
insult someone you don't even know.

And wouldn't it be grand if those of us in the northern hemisphere were forced by a tyrannical govt. to
be strapped with such an undependable and unreliable power source? Thank God we have our woods
to keep us warm no matter what BURN BABY BURN!!!
30% sounds just great when it's -30f (not centigrade) we have witnessed turbines actually
freeze up beyond repair, load up with snow and ice and fall over like the flops they are.
Plus the turbines, generators and structural components come from China...lovely
Oh and so do the vast majority of those solar doormats. Made with under paid if paid at all
semi slave labor. Millions of Chinese 'workers' are violently protesting throughout the country
because many have not been paid for months while their govt. officials and factory "owners"
have absconded with their money and are leaving the country in droves because of
their graft and unprecedented corruption. Well after being worked half to death without pay
they can always hope to retire to a nice organ harvesting farm

View attachment 147464

a nice organ harvesting farm.
Hope you enjoy paying those horribly inflated energy bills, and in the words of our beloved
President Trump........DRILL BABY DRILL!!!

Trumpton....where the hell did that come from?
Now off you go to Google to fact check me



Cheerio!

Jim.

 

[Grumpa]

... still on the subject of 'viewpoint' and unusual setting, here is a photo of a '52 GMC 211(?), buried to its ankles, stripped of different bits, in a playground, in a zoo! The bed gate is lowered, with a wooden platform/steps for kids to climb in.

View attachment 147605

I thought that was one of my builds for a second there

 

[Jakko]

Another one who insists on political ravings on a forum dedicated to modelling. For this reason I will refrain on commenting on the delusional content of the message. Except in the way I just did.

 

[BarleyBop]

A reminder, regardless of political opinions, that this is, after all, a thread on 'controlling' your point of view.
We need some air in here.