Photographer and diorama artist Matthew Albanese handcrafts miniature diorama scenes using common household items:
The trees in this scene are made of singed bottle brushes painted black. The stars are spatters of phosphorous ink and the moon and atmosphere is a black and white image projected onto black muslin.
This ocean scene, titled “DIY Paradise” is made out of cotton, salt, cooked sugar, tin foil, feathers & canvas.
This image is “Aurora Borealis”, made by photographing a beam of colored light against a black curtain to achieve the edge effect. The trees were composited from life and the stars are simply strobe light through holes in cork board.
![New Life #2](http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles5/136653/projects/366923/cf856b3356a6101dc9534291a642ba2c.jpg)
This Diorama with a Willow Tree is made using painted parchment paper, thread, hand dyed ostrich feathers, carved chocolate, wire, raffia, masking tape, coffee, synthetic potting moss and cotton.
![](http://api.ning.com/files/AsOnLsWiZNPNuYdo-SBOdbAdp-5WIaSQnVQmNJqHi*4bmr8jKzdxmA72yZ10K3qyKj1KyVvEQMlpEjkCWqc9bHyhLdahxKi3/StrangeWorldsMatthewAlbanese15.jpg)
It took two months to store up enough fireplace ash to create this lunar landscape. The darker rocks are made of mixed tile grout, flag crumpled paper & wire. The Earth is a video still projected onto the wall. Inspired by the Apollo 11 mission.
![](http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles5/136653/projects/366923/1366531260769221.jpg)
This volcano is made out of tile grout, cotton, phosphorous ink. The volcano was illuminated from within by 6-60 watt light bulbs.
See more of Mr. Albanese’s photos and behind the scene shots HERE.