Karalora Posted January 1, 2018 I hope this is the right forum; generic minifig-scale MOCs seem to default to Town but I won't be offended if the mods move it. For this project, I have put together a very simple build of a deciduous tree, such as you might find in an average American suburb in the temperate zones. My plan is to change it a bit each week, to depict the tree as it goes through seasonal changes over the course of a year. On January 1, the tree is denuded of not only leaves but twigs, having been pruned by its owner last fall. It snowed earlier in the winter, but it was gusty a few nights ago, and most of the snow was blown off the branches (except for small patches on the leeward side of the tree). I can't seem to upload the first photo directly, so here's a link: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/169200903792 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy D Posted January 2, 2018 This is a very clever idea. I look forward to seeing the seasonal changes. Andy D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 2, 2018 Thank you, Andy D! I'm really looking forward to seeing it through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 8, 2018 Week 2: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/169465084882 More snow has fallen in the past week and the tree is mostly covered, as is the ground underneath Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 15, 2018 Week 3: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/169720038332 I added some Brickforge icicles, reflecting a sunny afternoon that melted just a bit of the snow, and left the rest of it brittle enough to be knocked off by, say, a cardinal perching on a branch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maple Posted January 15, 2018 These are neat. I want to make a beach scene through the seasons in New England (And New York state). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 15, 2018 Thank you, Maple! Please do create your scene! I chose a tree because the seasonal changes are pretty well-known and easy to create in a modular way, but I'd love to see something similar done in a different setting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iammac Posted January 17, 2018 I will be back in a few months to see how this project ends up. I wonder what kind of tree it is... Oh! Silly me, it's a Lego tree of course!  MAC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 17, 2018 I hadn't really given much thought to species...I suppose subconsciously I'm probably patterning it after the sweetgums that grow around here (Los Angeles) and are one of the few local trees to exhibit much in the way of seasonal changes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huaojozu Posted January 17, 2018 I would advise, if possible, setting up a tripod and taking a picture from the same angle/distance every time, so that you can create a nice video at the end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 18, 2018 @Huaijozu I thank you for the suggestion, but I don't have access to a tripod...or a nice camera, for that matter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SassQueen Posted January 18, 2018 14 hours ago, Karalora said: @Huaijozu I thank you for the suggestion, but I don't have access to a tripod...or a nice camera, for that matter. Your phone is fine - maybe find a few books to prop it up with, across from the tree, to get the same angle every time. Neat project - can't wait to see where it goes! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Modeltrainman Posted January 18, 2018 This is neat! Great idea! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy D Posted January 19, 2018 6 hours ago, SassQueen said: Your phone is fine - maybe find a few books to prop it up with, across from the tree, to get the same angle every time. Neat project - can't wait to see where it goes! This is a good idea! You can also sit backwards on a chair and use your elbows to get the same height each time and most phones produce some very nice photos. With a a little imagination you can accomplish some nest things. Andy D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supertruper1988 Posted January 19, 2018 Love the idea of this project! LEGO makes a Movie Making Kit that has a nice little build for a phone stand. https://shop.lego.com/en-US/NINJAGO-Movie-Making-Kit-853702 https://shop.lego.com/en-US/Batman-Movie-Maker-Set-853650 You could easily build something similar for your "tripod". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 19, 2018 Looking at the three photos so far, I remember now that I decided to take the third from a slightly different angle than the first two to get a better perspective on the bird. I wish I had the luxury of setting up something permanent to take better photos, but I can't even leave the tree on the table where I have posed it so far. I just don't have enough space in here. :/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 22, 2018 Week 4: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/169978604752 Continuing intermittent mild thaw conditions have resulted in more icicles and generally degraded the quality of the snow. Some kids tried to build a snowman, but it just wouldn’t mound up properly and they quickly gave up…leaving the carrot they had been planning to use for the nose! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted January 28, 2018 Week 5: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/170242830057 Weather conditions continue to be somewhat inconsistent. Between wind and passers-by, most of the icicles have gotten knocked off the tree. (It's been a hell of a week and I didn't have it in me to change the tree more than this.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted February 4, 2018 Week 6: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/170510234062 A warm spell brought rain, melting away the snow…but that night brought a chill, turning the rain into sleet and freezing rain. The ground retained enough warmth to remain mostly clear, but the tree is covered with a thin coating of ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted February 12, 2018 Week 7: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/170784133227 I couldn’t do the full update I had planned because the new parts I ordered didn’t arrive in time, so here’s something simpler. The ice from last week’s storm has melted…not only that, but some buds of new growth have emerged on the branches! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted February 25, 2018 I wasn't able to upload last week due to technical difficulties, so today you get a twofer: https://karalora.tumblr.com/post/171286721217/i-was-unable-to-upload-a-new-seasonal-tree-photo I think by next week, there will be some solid evidence of springtime on this tree! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted March 4, 2018 Week 10: https://karalora.tumblr.com/image/171534210237 Some of the new buds are opening! Spring is finally nigh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites