I have been to and participated in several IPMS shows and have even judged on one occasion and it seems that the winners ( vignettes and dios) always have some theme that is able to convey emotion and interest by those that view them for the first time.
I was wondering how some of you get ideas for your work in these two classes in particular and if you have a website or other that you use to turn on the light bulb of inspiration.
Thanks to those who respond in advance!!!! DF42

Gday DF
My opinion will be voiced as an as-yet non-participant in contests...
I don't draw from other dioramas, but basically from archival photos and situations in book passages... The concord series for example has great photos for Sherman tanks and also GIs in the ETO, and as these are the most perused by me, I find them to be the most inspiring...
And yes, I can see what you mean by dioramas conveying emotion and interest as the ones being successful... these are the ones that capture the imagination
Cheers
Brad (will complete a dio one day)