1.) Over the summer, the dino manufacturer Haolonggood released a less commonly depicted figure, Majungasaurus, in an unusually dynamic pose that caught our attention. While smaller than a T. rex, Majungasaurus was the apex predator of what is now Madagascar some seventy million years ago. Both the figure and its locale fit perfectly with our goal to create something more unique.

2.) Research generally follows to better understand the environment we were hoping to depict. That’s how we learned about the Falcatakely, an early crow-sized bird that lived in the same habitat. This would be the perfect motivation for the Majungasaurus’ dynamic pose, and we were lucky enough to find 1/35th scale 3D-printed flying raven figures we could customize for the scene.

3.) Another goal we set for ourself this year, based on our reassessment, was to achieve as much as possible ‘in camera.’ To do this, we would need to physically suspend the Falcatakely figures in the scene by mounting each on wires which could be attached to the diorama base and the aluminum wire bent to position them in the scene.

4.) This snap is of an early mock-up taken from above with my iPhone. You will note this is the same base that we used for previous contest entries.

5.) Here's another snap of the early mock-up taken from an angle more in line with our final concept.

6.) Using one of these early photos, we then create a mockup of all the important elements in Photoshop to test our composition. Another goal we set for ourself with this diorama was to make a water feature thereby utilizing the reflection of the background it would create in my composition.

8.) We used Woodland Scenics' Deep Pour Water Murky to create the water feature which we are pleased to report worked exactly as advertised with no issues. We were able to remove the damn within 24 hrs.-the feature having hardened to a workable, rubberery state. Over the next week it continued to harden until it was rock hard.

9.) Our one fear was the pre-mixed 'murky' resin might be too opaque, but from this angle you can see it is transparent enough to still reveal the base features beneath the surface.

10.) Here's a quick snap to test the water feature's ability to reflect the scene above. As you will note the feature is glass smooth at this point which is highly reflective, but not necessarily realistic.

11.) Here's a nice shot from above, demonstrating the feature, both reflecting the Majungasaurus figure, while also allowing you to see through to the bottom of the water feature.

12.) I created the surface texture of the water using Modge Podge Glossy, stippling it on with a flat brush. I expected it to settle a bit more than it did.

13.) The final effect is, while in scale with the figure and environment, a bit more agitated than I had hoped. Thankfully, it wasn't enough to hurt my planned final compostion.

14.) With the water feature done, we turned our attention to creating our background in Blender 3D, bringing in elements from our Photoshop mockup to help with composition.

15.) The idea here is to fashion the treeline in the background to help move the 'eye' around the composition.

16.) While much of the foreground will not be seen, it's still important to create as much as possible for purposes of depth and the fact you cannot predict what will be visible in the final photograph.

17.) We also add a photograph of sky taken a few days earlier to complete the backdrop.

18.) The final render of our backdrop which we will then use projected on our TV for our final photograph.

20.) We sculpted our custom 'skeletal remains' from Sculpy clay. We have a tendency to go big with these type of creations because, while maybe not entirely realistic, 'read' better for the viewer.

21.) With all of the elements finished, we start placing everything for our final photograph.

22.) From a different angle to show the base position in front of backdrop.

23.) An overview of our entire setup heading into our final photograph. Because our scene takes place mid-day, we are able to use a lot of light.

24.) Placing elements for the final composition.

25.) Checking composition.

26.) Our composition as seen through the camera lens. Before the final photograph(s) are taken, we will add some real dirt and moss to the diorama base as well as fern fronds similar to those seen in the backdrop to help the blending of the two.

27.) An angle from beside the camera.

28.) Another snap from the front of a camera.

29.) Our final diorama composition titled 'The Ride of the Falcatakely'—a play on Wager’s 'The Ride of the Valkyrie'—depicts a scene you might have witnessed some seventy million years ago on the coastal floodplains of what is now Madagascar. The apex predator Majungasaurus snaps at a flock of early birds called, Falcatakely, as they circle the skeletal remains of a sauropod, Rapetosaurus, sinking into the muddy floodplain during the rainy season, on its way to immortalization in stone.