Read more at http://www.viralnova.com/takes-pictures-of-model-town/#BHpoVHy00xmLeSD3.99
Read more at http://www.viralnova.com/takes-pictures-of-model-town/#BHpoVHy00xmLeSD3.99
Read more at http://www.viralnova.com/takes-pictures-of-model-town/#BHpoVHy00xmLeSD3.99
There are these people who put so much time, effort and craftsmanship into a project which creates convincing images. One of them is 60-year-old Michael Paul Smith. He has spent hours taking photos of a small town that’s so special to him – a sleepy town in the center of America from a few decades ago.
The “Elgin Park” is a classic little American town from another era.
The pictures look old-fashioned but whimsical.
They seem to be telling a story of childhood memories.
Classic scenes of what America used to be a long time ago.
There’s this local news crew…
a railway…
a laundry shop…
the local car dealership…
And the car wash.
There may be nothing much going on in these pictures.
As this town seemed to be lacking human life.
But it’s undeniable that these images are astounding.
And when you get to take a closer look at it.
You’ll know that these also aren’t real.
Michael creates miniature models of an imaginary town.
He sets his models up on a card table.
Then fills it with cars from his collection of Danbury Mint and Franklin Mint die cast autos and trucks.
And uses the surrounding scenery such as streets or parking lots as the background for his photos.
Everything has to be taken at the right angle and perspective.
Michael also does night scenes.
These scenes are usually done inside his small apartment…
with the help of a very simple lighting setup.
His images also portray the mood of different weather conditions.
From wet streets because of rain…
To curbs drifted with snow.
He says his work is inspired by his hometown.
Though not an exact replica…
For him, this is what America looked like when he was a kid.
And it’s absolutely beautiful.
Each image is hyper-realistic.
That you would say they’re just vintage photos.
And not small handmade models this artist has built.
He says this project “started out as an exercise in model building and photography”.
But turned out to be “a dream-like reconstruction” of the place where he grew up.
Even when you already know what’s going on behind each scene…
That they are no more than just illusions…
It’s undeniable that these are incredibly convincing photos…
That would take you back in time.
A proof to this man’s amazing creativity and craftsmanship.
And if only “Elgin Park” is real…
It would be a place everybody would love to live in.
If you want to know more about Michael Paul Smith and his work, visit Craftsmanship Museum. Or to see more of his photos check out Elgin Park and his Flickr gallery.
Share this man’s incredible talent and be amazed by his works!