So many great dioramas, when did this genre start & gain such popularity? (2 Viewers)

[desk11desk12]

I’ve been collecting now going on 4 years. In that time I’ve see many more collectors displaying their collection in ever more sophisticated dioramas.

Have dioramas always been the cornerstone of displaying toy soldier collections and if not, what set off the new trend and who? Do you think it’s just a fad that will be eventually replaced by another trend or is it here to stay and what will it evolve to?

I’m just wondering because there are some many great dioramas being posted and impressive diorama accessories produced from the likes of Build-A-Rama, JGM and maybe TM Terrain. Let us not forget KC and Britains increasingly releasing more diorama accessories to support their various toy solder themes.



Carlos

 

[Louis Badolato]

If you've got the space, nothing can make your collection more realistic than dioramas. As Andy put it (so many times over the years) dioramas with buildings really bring toy soldiers to life. So I don't believe its a fad . . . so long as people have imagination and shelf space, I look forward and expect to see more dioramas posted on this forum.

 

[PolarBear]

We live in a very saturated visual culture now enhanced by HD, widescreen and Blu-Ray. People are much more visually sophisticated and the cinema has had a major impact on collectors of all sorts of miniatures. WB is showing some of this impact in its new Jane Austen line whose books have been translated into numerous films. Ken & Ericka Osen have mentioned the power of period films such as The Duchesss.

I think a secondary influence is that in very uncertain times such as these people like to create miniature worlds (usually from different time peirods) that they have some control over. During the troubled Depression Era 1930s historical epics were a standard of Hollywood.

Randy

 

[maddadicus]

I’ve been collecting now going on 4 years. In that time I’ve see many more collectors displaying their collection in ever more sophisticated dioramas.

Have dioramas always been the cornerstone of displaying toy soldier collections and if not, what set off the new trend and who? Do you think it’s just a fad that will be eventually replaced by another trend or is it here to stay and what will it evolve to?

I’m just wondering because there are some many great dioramas being posted and impressive diorama accessories produced from the likes of Build-A-Rama, JGM and maybe TM Terrain. Let us not forget KC and Britains increasingly releasing more diorama accessories to support their various toy solder themes.


Carlos

If I remember correctly ,it was the Battlescenes Production gang ,that started the diorama craze a few years back. They were constantly pushing for the realism display aspect of the hobby. Many of us static display collectors were resistent then to the concept....Also, on another forum, there was a diorama for hire guy, that would show us his step by step. Big bucks for magnificent results..Think his name was Mark? Michael

 

[OzDigger]

I doubt that dioramas have ever been the cornerstone of traditional toy soldier collecting, more likely just another aspect of the hobby.

I think the increasing popularity of dioramas on this forum has been influenced by other hobbies such as wargaming, plastic model kit building and photography together with members posting their finished diorama photos on the forum.

I believe dioramas are here to stay but I'm not sure how many collectors will be throwing handfuls of dollars at that part of the hobby in the current economy.

 

[theBaron]

Digger is correct to reference the history of the diorama; as a display, it's been around for a long time. Also, it's not necessarily the display method of choice for traditional toy soldiers, because a diorama aspires to some level of realism, and toy soldiers look like, well, toys. But a diorama and a war game on the living room carpet aren't too far apart.

I think the proliferation of dioramas among "toy soldier" collectors in the last 10 years draws a lot from the explosion of available material onto the market.

Before K&C, Frontline, Jenkins, et al. began making figures to standards approaching those of plastic scale model figures, if you used commercially available metal figures, or toy soldiers, like old Britains, you had a lot of work to do, to make something that looked like Tamiya figures, for example.

But now, there are enough well-sculpted, nicely painted figures, that someone who may have paused before trying to put together a scene, now finds that starting is a little easier. And once he starts, he may find that he learns, and improves, and enjoys it more and more. And voila-another collector becomes a modeler as well.

The increased use of the Internet helps, too, with nearly instantaneous visual communication to transmit our images around the globe.

I think the increase in dios and their availability to us is another reason why we're in a golden age.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Shannon Reuss]

I credit the internet in general and the Treefrog forum specifically (and other forums) for generating increase interest in diorama building. The 'Bored Tonight' diorama thread is the #1 viewed and replied to thread on the entire forum and has held that position since shortly after it was begun.
Increased images of cool things other collectors have done with dios has spurred others to give it a go themselves, which has given more business to diorama accessory manufacturers, increasing demand, which has in turn encouraged the manufacturers to expand their offerings.
Also there is a lot of crossover from the model railroading hobby to the toy soldier collecting hobby so setting up a battle scene is a natural extension of what the collector previously did with their train setups.
Really I think digital cameras have helped dioramas gain steam as well because it is so easy to point, click and upload to share dio ideas.
That's my personal opinion based on my observations and experience as a dealer and long-time forum member.
Carlos, you started the 'Bored Tonight' thread--does that make you the Father of the diorama movement ?
What do you guys think of these ideas?

 

[Shiloh]

It's actually an extension of model builders. Shepard Payne, Francios Verlinden and others are the founders of modern dioramas. There has been some train collector influence as well. It's still relatively small and new in toy soldier world but appears to be growing with the addition of highly detailed matte finished toy soldiers. As stated above digital cameras and the internet are probably the main reason for the boom but it has also increased the model builders ranks as well. They vastly out numbers us and some of their works far surpass that of even the old masters. I for one hope the trend continues.

 

[OzDigger]

The 'Bored Tonight' diorama thread has certainly been deservedly popular. However I think it's become a victim of it's own popularity making it hard for collectors to find dioramas more relevant to what they collect.

Which is why I would like to see separate diorama sections on the forum, split say between the current Matte and Gloss sections, and maybe even Wargaming etc.

 

[thebritfarmer]

There is a seperate diorama section is there not and also a diodrama section. I think splitting it between matte and glossy is going a bit to far though.

 

[theBaron]

I can see having gloss and matte subforums, but either way, any diorama builders--start a new thread, the "Bored Tonight" thread long ago passed the unwieldy mark.

 

[mikemiller1955]

I think we all did our first dioramas when we were little kids. Maybe it was Fort Apache, Custer's Last, the Battle of Waterloo in plastic or something else for you, but when my parents took me to the Alamo in San Antonio, I got my first Alamo kit in the gift shop and did my first diorama on my hotel bedroom floor that night.

It wasn't very sophisticated and I didn't take any photos, but later, when me and my cousin would play with our soldiers, and as mixed up as they got during a battle, at the end of the day, we knew exactly who's were who's.

I've had the bug forever, we can just a little more sophisticated about it now with all the realistic products and great ideas on this forum.

The difference between men and boys, is the price of their toys.

Michael.

 

[Leadmen]

I think the dioramas and photos of the scenes are great. I found through the years that you eventually run out of room for finished dioramas. The model train people keep expanding forever, but modelers have smaller boards or scenes that gradually increase in numbers. The hard part for me was tearing down dioramas that were built to make room for new dioramas.

Most of my permanent dioramas were 1/35 or 1/72 scale like Tamiya and Dragon models. I find now days that I get pleasure from buying various scenery and buildings which you can store away and then set the scene using various diorama components. No more big dioramas but more small parts to set up. I do wish for a large table to make a permanent display but seeing it has not happened at this age it probably will not come to be.I will just go visit Fubar when I need a diorama fix.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

The 'Bored Tonight' diorama thread has certainly been deservedly popular. However I think it's become a victim of it's own popularity making it hard for collectors to find dioramas more relevant to what they collect.

Which is why I would like to see separate diorama sections on the forum, split say between the current Matte and Gloss sections, and maybe even Wargaming etc.

I have suggested before that people start threads focusing on specific eras in the diorama section to allow people to find their particular interests more easily. There are people who mix their glossy and matte figures and many mix manufacturers so I think by era might be easiest.

You can also take advantage of the album feature of the forum and label a collection of images "Zulu dioramas' etc. and with the new album search feature people can browse through the collections to easily find what interests them.

Regards,

 

[The Lt.]

Shannon I must agree that what trigger the posting of dioramas in various forms on the forum was Carlos introduction to it's members his first group of excellent dioramas on the thread "Bored Tonight....Post a Diorama followed by many additional ones he's posted starting back in Febuary 2006. He was immeditately followed by Harold who set up and began to featuring various period large scale photo dioramas covering the Napolionic Wars, WWII, The Zulu War as well periods from Ancient History. Tim aka Fish also quickly joined in by setting up various Napolionic photo dioramas he set up on his living room floor whenever the chance arrive and when Kevin right along with him join in with his outstanding WWII photo dioramas which lead to his to major contributions which are currently featured in the Diodrama thread of the forum which was established a short while back triggered by Bob the UKReb's outstanding photo series and story telling of events that occured during the Civial War. We've had over the past year or so established threads set up within the Diorama threads covering periods of history that have been open for all to join in and to contribute to that aspect is already availabe to all including the infamous Bored Tonight....Post a Diorama. You've also afforded the members with the How to Section which is being well used and I can't see any reason for spilting either the Diorama or Diodrama threds into glossy or matte. Since the first of this year I've seen member throughout the forum and in various thread featuring photos of their collections either as built diorama, bought diorama, photo diorama made with purchase scenic pieces and I'm sure you can add to this. Having spending more than my two cents worth I'll end this with Shannon you've done more than your share in going out of your way to please the members of the forum and I can't see any reason for any changes to be made. Thanks for the giving me the pleasure I've had over the past couple of years as a member of the forum. By the way and thanks to all of you I haven't mentioned by name for the contributions you've made to the forum with the dioramas and photos that you've shared it's been a pleasure and a treat in seeing your contributions...The Lt.

 

[OzDigger]

I have suggested before that people start threads focusing on specific eras in the diorama section to allow people to find their particular interests more easily. There are people who mix their glossy and matte figures and many mix manufacturers so I think by era might be easiest.

You can also take advantage of the album feature of the forum and label a collection of images "Zulu dioramas' etc. and with the new album search feature people can browse through the collections to easily find what interests them.

Regards,

Shannon, thank you for ensuring this forum evolves with changes in trends and technology. I agree that a split by Era would be more suitable taking into account collectors various interests.

Diorama threads continue to increase in popularity and as more people buy digital cameras this trend is likely to continue as more members post pictures of their dioramas be they simple or elaborate.

Shanon, with the above in mind would you consider moving the Diorama section from the Discussions area to a dedicated section split by Era, or would this cause issues with image storage.

 

[desk11desk12]

Shannon, thank you for ensuring this forum evolves with changes in trends and technology. I agree that a split by Era would be more suitable taking into account collectors various interests.

Diorama threads continue to increase in popularity and as more people buy digital cameras this trend is likely to continue as more members post pictures of their dioramas be they simple or elaborate.

Shanon, with the above in mind would you consider moving the Diorama section from the Discussions area to a dedicated section split by Era, or would this cause issues with image storage.

Wow! How did this discussion get here? LOL

This thread sure took a life of its own. There are some many wonderful things I love about this Forum that continues to get better and better daily thanks to Shannon's tireless work.

However, you what I love about it the most? It's the freedom of being able to start your own thread on any related Toy Soldiers subject you want without asking for special structural changes to the Forum that few seem to want.

Through the years it’s been a real pleasure seeing dioramas on Non WWII diorama threads. So guys, keep them coming.

Carlos

 

[Ragnar]

The "Bored Tonight" thread is a Jugganuat fun to look thru on a Cold night.
with a cup of Coffee when you are well...Bored

 

[Alexdakar]

Wasn't it Al Gore who invented the diorama.

 

[Peter Reuss]

The "Bored Tonight" thread is a Jugganuat fun to look thru on a Cold night.
with a cup of Coffee when you are well...Bored

ONE cup of coffee???

It'd take a whole pot to get all the way through that thread