In email correspondence with Selector, he reminded me of the Shorpy website, which reminded me of an image I have made by Dorothea Lange in the late 1930s. I’ve always admired her work and this particular piece is a great source for modeling. If only I had the talent to do it… 
Jarrell
I don’t think I have the talent, and I know I don’t have the time, but I am suggesting this be a forum-wide contest. Whoever does it gets, um… 100 free posts? [8D]
Looks like a good scratch building project to me.
Talent is something you learn. You have to practice model building in order to get good at it. [banghead]
In my opinion, modelers today don’t have the motivation to develop the talent required to build something like this because of all of the ready built stuff available. It seems to me, their answer to model building problems is to throw money at it, not by trying it. Such is the way of an instant society.
Hi!
I believe we all have natural talents in different areas, some more so than others. But I also believe that most talents can be improved upon by practice, practice, and some more practice. Note I am not saying that just because I can play the piano with one hand, that with a lot of practice I could be like Jerry Lee (showing my age here).
What I am talking about is model building, layout building, kitbashing, scratch building and the like. Of course there are some that just could never make contest quality models, but I believe all of us could do a much better job just by “practice, practice, practice”.
Over the last 20 plus years, I have made it a habit to put the date inside model structures I have built. In looking them over, its almost a linear improvement from structure to structure over time. The same goes for backdrop painting, and a few other MR related areas.
So my point is, while something may look out of reach, you will never know for sure unless you try it, even if you have to try it again, and again, and again.
Mobilman44
Jarrell, based on what I see in your WPF posts, you already do have the talent. I say, go for it. It would be fun to model.
Did you check out the kerosene pump on the right side of the porch with the supply pipe coming up from the ground? And there must be 7 or 8 tobacco related signs in the picture. Note the ‘supports’ under the porch. I agree, this is a scratch builders dream. If you got it a little out of square, who’s to know? 
The whole place is out of square!! Jarrell
A little disappointing to hear that people think that just because we’re young, we are not willing to put in the time or effort to produce a nice product. Maybe I misunderstood your statement. I’d love to venture into scratchbuilding a few buildings. Only, I have no layout for them.
kyle
I am lost when it comes to suing the search feature on this website (maybe the new and improved one will be better) but If I am not mistaken this was modeled by a board member some time maybe last year? I know because the level of detail was amazing there has to be someone out there who remembers it.
Jarrell,
you have just to start. [:)] You can do it. But it takes some time.
Wolfgang
Every journey begins with a first step …
Why don´t you give it a try? The first scratchbuild structure may not meet your expectations, but the second one will be much improved, and the third one might hit the nail on the spot.
While looking at the weathered wood and the men on the porch I overlooked the new ‘tin’ roof on the porch. Nary a sign of rust! Jarrell
Great idea ! go for it.
I think this is one of the strengths of belonging to a group/club - each member brings along a different skill set and can help others develop new abilities. And when it comes to taking on a project like this, help is always available and, in the long run, everyone benefits.
Great looking structure and I say go for it!
Not the least of the lessons for the model railroader in this marvelous and historic photo is the implicit movement or action of the guy in the doorway. He isn’t shown running or jumping but you can sense he is standing in the door to say something to the fellows on the porch and will then turn to go back inside. The man with the cup to his lips is another example of implied action for our model figures.
The fact that you can actually see the nail holes in the old wood, and the large number of tin signs tacked to the walls, and the excessive weathering and clutter – It would be a challenge to model this scene without going overboard.
Dave Nelson
I remember seeing it I just cant remember were the thread is or who did it but it looked great. I like the post holding up the tin roof the best nothing like using whats on hand. It looks like a fun project but I have a long way to go before I am at that level but I will get there sooner or later. Have a nice day Frank
And the gas pump has about 6 gallons of leaded gas in it, ready to go to the next customer.
I believe Downtown Deco offered this as a limited run kit last year? Why not kit bash a Walther’s store or American Models kit, using the wealth of details from various makers. mike h.
Truly one of the great photographers of all time!
In the words of a gentleman named Winston Churchill:
Talent is something that develops with endeavor . . . . . . . . . . work at it long enough and your talent will develop accordingly. You too can become an E. L. Moore!
A technically off-topic addendum to the above comments:
This is an extremely interesting photograph and the structure represents modeling challenges but there is something else represented in this photograph that is often overlooked in our modeling of the '40s, '50s, and '60s: Jim Crow. Regardless of what your attitudes might be regarding segregation it was a de juris establishment in the South during those forementioned decades and a de facto establishment in much of the rest of the country. Dorothea Lange did much of her work in the South and I am sure that that is where this photograph was taken.