I was going to post this on Vader's Jungle Firefly image in the photos section, but thought it would be better suited for the forum.

In regards to Vader9900's photo found here:
http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/sho...php?i=14687&c=7


Rock-on Vader! - very very nice how-to based on the image... that kind of interaction/tutorial is what is needed more here to inspire folks to try their hand at dio making, photography and image manipulation. Especially with that kind of detail and explanation. Major Kudos to you!

I was super-enthused to see your how-to. My 8yr old son read it twice and printed out your photo-tent setup picture ~ he is very inquisitive as to what it is and why you would use it... so thanks for inspiring a young mind.

It's great that this site has a bunch of photos, but innovative and inventive images such as yours of late (underwater, smoke effects, shot angles etc) show folks what's possible and give them a base to build from. Personally I'd like to see this site make more of a focus on how-to's, with featured how-to's right on the homepage, rated by other members... Such that we push the limit of professional-style how-to's and create a truly unique repository.

I found that when I started trying my hand at Gijoe-based dios (with my son) in January of this year, that there is tons of pictures on the web, but basically very little detailed, quality instruction. I found I inadvertently rubbed a few folks the wrong way for trying certain techniques and sharing them.... like I was a magician showing everyone the secrets of the craft ;-) ..... that was my experience anyhow.

As some folks here know, my son and I were huge into Lego (and still are, but not to the crazy degree we were), and we built massive detailed dios and took them to lego shows in Vancouver and Seattle. The feedback we received was nothing short of amazing. Simply, it was easy to see that we inspired kids and adults alike to break out of their box and attempt something they would not normally do. I used to recreate multiples of our set pieces at night and ship them free of charge to kids around the world who could not normally afford the pieces to build them. And our lego website still gets well over 350,000 unique visitors a month (which costs me a bit for hosting fees ;-). We were just featured 2 months ago in Wired Magazine which was way cool... And the only reason for doing any of this was to demonstrate to my son and daughter that the world is a better place if everyone finds commonality and shares passion... shares vision... with no expectation of personal return. And these values are directly related to my own successful business and our family's social and financial stability.

My main message with this overly long post...
and I know it's crazy, but stay with me....
Focus joedios.com as a tutorial-based diorama site first and foremost. Make an impact on young minds to inspire creativity, and to encourage older members to try their hand at something new. Maybe someone that's close to hammerfel could suggest a re-focusing. Just and idea... but hey, I think outside the "bun". I think this site is on to something big ~ with a little restructuring and assistance from members could go a long way to becoming the defacto standard in dioramas rather than a bunch of pictures from the same people over and over again.

And as an idea offering (if anyone's interested)... all 3 of my current/recent diorama sets, I will donate free to members who contribute to the site in an instructional theme... maybe a contest or something. And yes, even the coveted snake-head stone diorama that took freak'n forever ;-) Talk it out, let me know.

So, call me crazy... flame me into oblivion, whatever... take this as a "directional thesis". I'll still poke into joedios now again in it's current form.

Now, Dave... if you would show folks how you did your trees, then you would surely win the joedios seldom granted "pimp-daddy hero of the year" award ;-) and probably bring a few adult men to tears (of joy)... myself included.

Cheers! ~ Paul.

I am going to post a how-to on making a set, it will include my trees!

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This is a call for "artists" of this site.

I support the idea of the How-To 'cause I need a lot of inspiration.

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I'd still be posting a how to on the Two story house if i a had a working a camera. i am almost there...as far a saving goes. I have halted construction until I get a camera. I figured it wouldn't be fair

I have no cool sets to tell how I made but I am always willing to share any tricks I learned wire coat hanger to make things appear to be flying was one of the best tips I ever got from this site

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I loved Vaders how-to as I do most all of the how to's here of JD's. I wish I could be more informative on the set making end. But mine are always simple and I'm a sucker for a good outdoor shot. Customs are my speciality, vehicles in particular. But ask anyone, I am always happy to help, in whatever way I can just ask

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All my customs in one place....Da Talent's Customs