I visited one of my favorite stores recently, HobbyTown USA, to make an important purchase for the blog. They were a bit pricey but I think they are well worth the investment.

The train conductor made his debut on a marigold at the Dallas Arboretum recently. I had to be selective with the photos, if I dropped the N Scale sized figure in the garden it would be lost forever.

Before leaving the Arboretum I decided the pumpkins and gourds would be the best option for a photo shoot with the train conductor.

I was lost in the moment of setting up the shot. When I got up and looked around I noticed a little girl watching me—and smiling.

Here’s a look at the scene from a distance. Can you spot the train conductor?

A close-up shot with the train conductor sitting comfortably on corn.

Now he’s sitting contentedly on the stem of a gourd.

It wasn’t until I zoomed and cropped the photo that I realized the poor train conductor doesn’t have a face!  More blogs to come featuring the conductor and the rest of his companions.  We’ll find out soon enough if they too are faceless.

Tips:
Add variety to your still life photos by adding unusual objects—like the N scale figures. It gives you an opportunity to practice your skills at macro photography.

Camera used: Canon G11
Date: October 2013

Holiday Gift Giving Ideas:
Big Bertha and Company LOVES miniatures, Legos, N scale or HO scale figures. They make excellent Christmas, birthday and random day gifts. Or just loan them to me for a day or two.