Not used for Contest 2013

[Federreptil]

Dinosaur Diorama Photo Contest 2013
Part 1: The Shooting

To begin with, a special mood: a blue hour.



Three factors most strongly influenced this year's entry:

1. The obvious contrast between the current find situation and the original biotope. Usually the finds are made in barren, dry and dusty areas. In contrast, most of the descriptions for the habitats of the dinosaurs at that time are for swampy, humid and sultry river landscapes and beaches. This is certainly also related to the conditions under which fossils can be formed at all.



2. Especially in the Nemengt formation there are many feathered dinosaurs, which obviously lived together. The Tarbosaurus I propose here also to the feathered dinosaurs, even if the discussion tends just again to largely naked. As many of these feathered animals as possible should appear together with non-dinos in the diorama. Of course, this is only partially successful with the final motif, so part 4 will show the different species.



3. Already in the competition entry of 2015 Chinese Chain Reaction it was about feathered dinosaurs. In the meantime, PNSO has presented a particularly impressive interpretation with Deinocheirus, which combines different feather types. So it was a quick decision that the Deinocheirus should be the hero of this year's production. Especially since I still avoid these gladiator duels to the death.

Here I show some variations from the shoot that resulted from different lighting moods and the use of two fog machines. I also adjusted the point of view a few times, then decided to focus more on the Deincheirus family. Even if more and more housemates fall by the wayside in the process. Of the 15 species that animate the diorama, only four remained visible in the end.



This is the competition entry in a higher resolution:

[Leyster]

Your work is truly amazing, a rightfully deserved first place!

[Federreptil]

Part 2: The preparations

It all starts on May 14 with a newsletter from the Dinosaur Toy Forum. There is - after a break of three years - again a Diorama Photo Contest this year. The contest has been running since January, but due to the long interruption - without the hint in the newsletter, the motivation to finally build a new diorama again would have slipped through.



On the 28th of May the first test of the diorama takes place in the garden. It is quickly decided that the hero of this year's build should be Deinocheirus. He belongs to the dinosaurs about whose appearance could be speculated for a long time only, for the fact that he - the more details become known - becomes more and more strange. The new PNSO figure has impressively realized this curious figure, creating one of the most beautiful and coherent feather dresses that has wrapped a dinosaur so far. Safari's models are considerably smaller and less feathered in this regard. The large display feathers on the arms and tail are only hinted at here, and the slender snout is shorter and more compact. So these figures become growing juveniles. On the other hand, CollectA's Deinocheirus interpretation is left out. This is even as a silhouette still too goofy compared to the PNSO Deinocheirus.



In July the Deinocheirus figures are the first to be painted over. The large figures have received only subtle tweaks: The blue of the neck has become more intense, the feathers on the back and on the head were there before just as a relief, but not yet highlighted in color. The underside has become darker for a better contrast and the surrounding light feather edge has become whiter for it. Safari's juveniles have been completely redone in color so their plumage matches the larger animals. As adolescents, they are in transition from child's dress to adult habit. The horizontal stripes are slowly disappearing from the back and only remain visible on the tail. Meanwhile, the first test shipment of jungle green has also arrived from Malaysia. Realistic palms, arucaria and ferns with flexible leaves. Where if not in Southeast Asia should you have an idea how jungle plants look like.



In mid-August, another placement test with the Deinocheirus group. It will not be easy to get all five members into the picture. The new plants will not be enough to create a dense thicket.  In the foreground the first Mononykus is running as a 3D print. The idea is to get even small dinosaurs involved in the action. For the fact that they are also quickly overlooked in the process. Especially when the painting turns out to be real camouflage.



Surprisingly, Therizinosaurus shares the habitat with Deinocheirus, as both dinosaurs share some similarities like the long clawed hands and a dumpy heavy build. From the classification, the therizinosaurs are more closely related to the slender graceful Mononykus and the relative of Deinocheirus is the fast Gallimimus. However, since all four species belong to the Coelurosauria, there is always evidence that all members of the group had feathers. The front Therizinosaurus is a PNSO model and the rear one is a painted resin kit by David Krentz, which was now waiting for final assembly since 2015.



Here the Saurolophus herd is still green-gray for matte dusty. These are special Japanese models by Favorite Co. Ltd, released to coincide with a 2012 dinosaur exhibition on finds in the Gobi Desert at the Osaka Museum. They are joined by juveniles from Kaiyodo UHA and SEGA Dinosaur King game figures. For the steppe, this paint scheme may pass, but forest dwellers should be able to camouflage themselves better.



As one of the last painting actions in September, this is the Saurolophus herd in the jungle outfit with strong green tones. For this, the skull with the small cone comb at the end is now clearly emphasized. Also other actors wait here for their appearance like the Gallimimus herd and the Gobiraptors and Nemengtomaia. Only the small Europasaurus hatchlings, like the Iguanodonts, belong to a completely different theme.



These palms have been appearing in various dioramas since 2014. So far, the cycad group has always been a bit too similar to each other, because all plants have exactly the same number of leaves in the same place. This year all plants get individual additional leaves to get more variety and structure in the forest.



This year, the laser-cut paper kits will also finally be awakened from their slumber. For all plants, repaint the tops of the leaves in a lighter yellow-green. All manufacturers - plastic or paper - produce overly dark plate colors of blue-green. Here are the constructed fern plants as underplanting to the palms. A laborious business, for the fact that the paper plants are very sensitive.



A classic in the dioramas are the ferns from the cut off heads of mini palms for architectural models. Here the previous impression in blue-green, although they were already painted with spray cans.



After painting the bracts, the new fresh green shade looks more natural, with the inner leaves highlighted even more brightly.

[DefinitelyNOTDilo]

 This process was fascinating to see! Though I must admit I'm still very curious about where all the other background species came from, especially the blue oviraptorosaurs.

[DefinitelyNOTDilo]

As well as what appear to be tarbosaurs in the background.

[Federreptil]

As well as what appear to be tarbosaurs in the background.

I will show all species in part 4   

[DefinitelyNOTDilo]

As well as what appear to be tarbosaurs in the background.

I will show all species in part 4   

Tysm!

[Federreptil]

Part 3: The making-of



The submission deadline for the 2023 Dinosaur Diorama Photo Contest at Dinosaur Toy Forum is fast approaching. Five days before, the setup on about 2.56 square meters of table space begins. First of all, a new water base is tested and the new jungle trees from Malaysia already show the place where the protagonists will stand later.



In the first attempt there is a red floor this year. But in the end it looks too much like the red tartan track in the stadium. The shoreline design and the headlands also still need some work.



The next day, the ground has a three-layer structure of light sand, black gravel and red subsoil that partially shows through. Now the planting can be re-compacted with the ground covers.



The structure is ready: The vegetation consists of about 720 plants, of which a large part are of course mini ferns and ground-covering fern bushes. Most of the 57 protagonists have already moved in. Only the 11 members of the Saurolophus herd are still drying in the workroom.



The actual photography takes place at night, so that the artificial light from four LED lamps is not disturbed. In the bay, the small cosplayer fog machine is used to create a ground fog on the lake in the foreground.



The light and camera are moved into position. Unfortunately, the 4K resolution will not yet come into play in the contest. The resolution of the submissions is unfortunately limited to 1,000 pixels, which is not really an advantage for mass scenes.



The good old fog machine from 2015 is positioned with a tripod so that it makes the contours in the background disappear. Otherwise, of course, the jungle would have to be much deeper and denser to prevent views.



Shortly after the picture is taken, the fog wafts through the room. The only thing that helps is to ventilate the room, because otherwise the ground fog will be blown away at the same time.



The fourth light brightens the sky as a ground floodlight so that a bright edge is created on the horizon and the trees do not cast shadows on the background.

[ceratopsian]

It's fascinating to read all the work that went into your diorama. I would hardly be able to bear dismantling it!

[Flaffy]

Facinating process! A well deserved win!

I reckon this high quality work of art is suitable for a display in a museum ; Lord knows how many lackluster effots actually make it into displays.

[Federreptil]

It's fascinating to read all the work that went into your diorama. I would hardly be able to bear dismantling it!

Disassembling creates space for something new. At the moment I lack the landscape, because this "staircase" is also needed for other purposes. But I look forward to hopefully being able to create a new world soon. On the work table are already again some figures, which should form together a herd.

[Federreptil]

Facinating process! A well deserved win!

I reckon this high quality work of art is suitable for a display in a museum ; Lord knows how many lackluster effots actually make it into displays.

Then it's time to find the right museum. 

I also think that such dioramas would be a real enhancement in many exhibitions. It would also be a huge opportunity for education and enthusiasm, especially for young visitors. I recently discovered the redesign of the prehistoric exhibit at the Smithonian in Washington. And there, scaled dioramas are a natural part of the holistic exhibit concept. 

[postsaurischian]

     Breathtaking. Unsurpassable!

[Federreptil]

    Breathtaking. Unsurpassable!

Dear postsaurischian, many thanks for the enthusiastic praise.

[Federreptil]

Part 4.1: The species



The diorama for the Gobi Desert 70 million years ago should fulfill two aspects. Of course, at the end there is the one photo motif for the Dinosaur Diorama Photo Contest. But at the same time the diorama should stand as an example for a biotope in which as many species as possible find a place.



Here the Deinocheirus group is shown in all its glory. So you can also see how the smaller Safari models become juveniles of the two large PNSO models by painting them to match. The idea to present the Deinocheirus also as a successful fisherman had to be postponed to later. The 3D print of a "waterline model" still brought unexpected difficulties in printing.



The two Dsungaripterus pterosaurs (Kaiyodo UHA) actually got a bit lost, because the Dsungaripterus weii was found in the Xinjiang province in China, which is west of Mongolia. Its special beak was probably suited to hunt for insects and shellfish in the sand and mud. In this respect it does fit into this river landscape with riparian fringes and swampy forests.



The Gobiraptor (Stand-in PNSO Gigantoraptor) belongs to the Oviraptosauria. Here it is a coastal dweller, which would fit its plant-based diet of hard-shelled fruits and fibrous plants. The egg thief theory has long since become obsolete, as the oviraptors in which fossil eggs have been found were incubating specimens guarding their nests.



Therizinosaurus was a huge theropod with long claws on its hands. The large sluggish animals probably also fed largely on plants. It is amazing that two species seem to occupy almost the same niche in the biotope, since Deinocheirus seems to have such great similarities to Therizinosaurus in size, agility, and claws. The rear, intentionally somewhat clumsy figure is a resin model by David Krentz, whose painting was adapted to the PNSO dinosaur in the foreground.



It doesn't get any easier for a photo when the camouflage suddenly works too well. Pinacosaurus (PNSO) lived Ankylosaurus in southern Mongolia to China. Although in the Nemegt Formation the finds are rather attributed to the Tarchia species, which were probably more massively built.



Pinacosaurus is depicted here as a loner encountering a monitor lizard.



Small dinosaurs at the feet of giants - there is - despite well camouflaged plumage - escape certainly a good option. There three specimens of the Mononykus (3D print from Miniature Museum) flee. Hiding in the tree trunk, a mammal pursues a different strategy to get to safety.



The Gallimimus herd (CollectA and Kaiyodo) is surely just a guest passing through here. For the fast walking dinosaurs an open landscape like a loosely overgrown steppe would be surely better suited to defend themselves by flight against predatory dinosaurs. On the other hand, sandy beaches are then fast roads to bypass the forests.

[Federreptil]

Part 4.2: The species (the sequel)



Besides dinosaurs there are of course reptiles and amphibians in the Gobi biotope. Monitor lizards (Safari Mini-Toob) have been recorded. Whether horned frogs (Kaiyodo) as in South America or Madagascar also lived here remains speculation. There are jaw finds of small basal frogs, whose exact assignment remains controversial.



Saurornithoides (Stand-In Fukuivenator from Favorite Co. Ltd.) is a relative of the Troodontidae. Therefore, even though these carnivores hunted in packs, they need not hunt large herbivores. Small mammals (stand-in Japanese water shrew Kaiyodo) are often the harmless alternative. Cretaceous mammals are always a challenge as a model because there are virtually no models. Unfortunately, mostly only teeth are found from the early mammals.



Tarbosaurus is the apex predator of the area and will have to rely on either surprise or hunting together in a pack when trying to take on the fast fleeing animals. These giants actually lack the necessary speed for single animal rushing and the long tail stretched back makes sharp turns almost impossible. How will a 12 meter long predator lie in wait in an open steppe? That makes a stalk in the forest much more sense. The figures are 3D Shapeways prints by Shapeways Manuel Bajaros and follow the color scheme of a bearded vulture for reference. In the background is a feathered Tarbosaurus by Kanna.



Another Oviraptorsauriae is the Nemegtmaia (Stand-In: Anzu wyliei 3D Shapeway Print by Aaron Doyle), shown here as a jungle dweller. The helmet causar in New Zealand has a similar way of life. Perhaps that also influenced the blue painting.



Another prehistoric mammal roams the undergrowth. The Stand-In Henkelotheriun of Yujin belongs indeed to the Upper Jurassic to Portugal. But it simply lacks the appropriate inhabitants for this time and even the determination of the finds in the Nemegt Formation is still fraught with great uncertainties.



Among the large herbivores of the area is Saurolophus, which certainly moved in larger aggregations. It will rarely have been found in dense forest, especially since the herds certainly helped to create open areas with loose tree cover. Probably the herds passed along the shore to get to the next savannah.



There is always room for improvement. Besides Saurolophus, there are other large herbivores. Opisthocoelicaudia are relatively small titanosaurs, but probably also created free spaces between the trees. For the pterosaurs, there is really only evidence for Azhdarchidae, perhaps evidence that these giants of the air were true long-distance flyers. Other species that are still missing are turtles, crocodiles birds and insects.

[Libraraptor]

Both instructive and aesthetically appealing! Thank you!

[ceratopsian]

Any museum should be proud to have such an educational and beautiful display.

[postsaurischian]

   Fantastic! So many possibilities. It must have been very hard to choose the one pic for the contest.

[Federreptil]

Both instructive and aesthetically appealing! Thank you!

Thank you very much back for this generous and motivating assessment