Days Bygone!

Now either you got "Lego" building bricks for Christmas this year or exceedingly fortunate in terms of perspective : - ) .

There is so much going on, it has to be a model? If it isn't, you have my profuse apologies. But I like it anyway, the movement of the train adds authenticity to the image and theres heaps of interesting individual area's to appreciate with great details (including the birds on the roof of the barn) . My curiosity is now burning to know the details.  Well done Len!

Best Regards

Alf

That's the way I remember my model trains and all the accompanying houses and cows and stations and stationmasters. They all became real in my eyes as they are in this picture. We're almost sure this is a model train diorama...almost.

nice photo, len. i needed some time to understand it's a model, but the rapport between the train and the daylife is very well shown, becouse the time and the moment you choosed . this photo bring us in the middle of the '800, inside the history of the states. perfect bw

Not intending to deceive, my 'Details' offer some clues.  This is essentially a model train set, a part of the museum in 'The Mill' in St. Jacob's Ontario.  Though trains are the main theme the lion's share of the details are in the manufactured 'country side'.  I too love the pigeons on the roof and have early childhood memories (nightmares?)  of the outhouse, complete with new moon cut out on the door, upper right. I'll be happy to supply any details not found here or in my 'Details'.  As for the devil being in the details,  I messed up a shot showing a dog peeing on the tire of a 1920's model (squarish) car.  My only regret that day.  Best, LM.

Good to have your views and to see that this one strikes a chord with you.  This is only a small detail of the display.  Going from memory it's about 10 ft. x 30 ft with many trains running and many rural and urban scenes depicted.  The display alone is worth the drive to St. Jacob's (about 120 miles from my home).  Best, LM.

I composed the scene & waited for the train to go by.  From other shots I'd taken that day I figured the chosen shutter speed (1\20 sec) would still render the train recognizable while showing it's motion with a bit of blur.  I chose to present it in B&W to be in keeping with what would have been the medium of the time.  Thanks for your input.  Best, LM.

Very cool idea Len it puts interesting life into the static display.

The POV and lighting are wonderful. Bring back the dog :-)

It makes me ALMOST want to break out my old Lionel set.

Thanks for sharing.

Good to have your opinion on this one.  Ya, the dog, gotta go back for that shot alone.  A trip down memory lane for many I suspect.  Worked for me!  Best, LM.

Lovely concept and a very good photo, Len. I like your choice for B&W, it certainly emphasizes a feeling of nostalgia. The motion blur of the train adds a nice vibe to the composition & makes the little town come alive. I like your POV too (= almost a bird's-eye view) Wonder if you ever considered a slightly lower vantage point as well...? ( to possibly get more into the action of the model town perhaps..?)   Best, Marjolein

I have other shots which depict a wider area than this which I will post soon. Stay tuned.  A lower viewpoint here would have partially covered some important elements such as the tractor in the foreground.  Also, to avoid reflections,  I had to have the camera very close to the glass window I was shooting through.  Not a lot of wiggle room.  Thanks for your thoughts.  Best, LM.

Len, interesting concept & presentation. Very good exposure & tonal quality.

Thanks for your thoughts.  It was a very evenly lit, low contrast scene so maintaining details throughout wasn't a big challenge.  Gotta catch a break sometimes.  :-)  Best, LM.

I like a lot your point of camera,and I still don't know if it is real or a children  play ground...?;-))

In any event it is days bygone and the B/W enhances the feeling of life in the past, for our children and grandchildren to know how life looked  like in the era before  modernization... Looking ay it I feel young again....;-))

That you can't tell for sure if it is a real scene or a miniature model of this barnyard speaks volumes to the skill of the model maker(s).  It is indeed a model, the train engine being about 4"-6" long.  I now have a new post depicting the scene found a few feet to the left of this one.  In fact, this barn's silo will be found in the lower right corner of this new post.  Enjoy!  And thanks for your always welcome visits.  Best, LM.

Len...  Looks like a scene right out of "Petticoat Junction".  A unique and well done presentation.... Mike

Now there's a show I haven't seen for a while.  But you are right, there are some similarities: like the 'Hooterville Cannonball' in the foreground.  Is that Charlie at the throttle?  Thanks for participating.  Best, LM.

Len, I could tell by the railroad tracks that this was not a real landscape but I liked it just the same.

Thanks for commenting on my snow scene.  It was taken a year ago. 

This winter will go down in the history books as the winter that never came to up state NY.  It has been too warm all winter for snow.  Instead we've been getting rain! Today it was 50 degrees!

Not posted with the intention to present it as an actual rural scene but who could resist the shot?  The guys who construct these models are the real artists.  Hardly any snow here either.  46F this morning with a possibility of rain.  Similar conditions in 1919 so I'm told.  Best, LM.

All things on this beautiful photo with very attractive angle of view look like toys! And it's very pleasing!

Best regards Len!

PDE

Yah, Big Kid toys!  Many (most?) of these modelers are retirees.    Kids grow up but a kernel remains in some to take their playthings to a much higher level.  Then, as we see here, others can marvel at their constructions.  Best, LM.

I love this! You've brought such life to a scene with inanimate objects. The use of motion here is perfect. It really feels real...I want to be there!

Good of you to drop by.  I'm happy that the same elements that work for me also work for you.  Don't be a stranger.  Best, LM.

I like it is black and white! More concentration on the overall movement that way! No matter how tiny the figures there is great amount of movement noticeable! The angle is like from Heaven! Very impressive photo of life Len! Bravo!

Best regards!

PDE

I felt that B&W was more appropriate for the era depicted.  Amazing model work.  Best, LM.

Your constructive critique\comment will be gratefully received. Best, LM.