Here is an idea that I have been fooling around with,making a 2D picture look like a boxed diorama.Usually boxed dioramas have a large frame,a matte border and an inner reveal to give you a 3D look.In this case the subject matter is too large and too close to the frame, so I will try a longer shot to see what it gives.The small white line around the perimeter should also be edited out.

Here is Shep Paine standing in front of a few of his boxed dioramas.Note the frame,matte and reveal,this is how you would see it in person.I find that something is lost when just concentrating on the image alone, which is what is done in 99% of the pics that I have seen over the years.I think that this is a mistake in presentation and the images should be seen as they were originally intended to be, frame and all.

Now maybe this is carrying things a little too far but you get the idea.The subject matter is the HMS Victory Gun deck.I have seen many pictures of this image but this is the only one I that can find of the diorama as it was originally intended to be shown.

The best boxed dioramas that I have seen are in museums, as they have the proper space to accommodate them.This type of diorama looks strangely out of place to me,sitting on a shelf or table.Keeping this in mind I would say that a good alternative would be to return them to 2D.If the pic is set up properly with the good lighting , an in-depth composition and a complimentary frame I believe that a nice 3D effect could be achieved. I'll have a go and see what I can come up with.

In some ways I like the large ornate frame but then again.....

Thin gold frame.

John

On the photo of the deck of the Victory, that stand? the rock as a seat, the old oak, the ancient look... does that happen to have an attachment to royalty?

Captn Tommy

It wouldn't happen to have Viking graphity on it?