These photos are not so ordinary as it might appear at first glance. The fact is that each and every shot is a part of a miniature world called Elgin Park carefully constructed and photographed by Michael Paul Smith. To get this effect it was used an old trick described in many specialized books. You should just put the model in one line with the background. And no photoshop! All buildings are constructed on a scale 1 / 24 by the author. That’s how Michael Paul Smith transforms his love for 20 centuries into real modern art.
52 comments
As someone who is interested in all things 1950s, I love Michael Paul Smith’s model of Elgin Park. It reminded me of small town USA I’ve driven through, and I’ve yet to drive through. R.I.P. Michael Paul Smith
Remarkable and astounding creativity! I was born in 1953 with the most loving parents and a wonderful childhood. Out of four siblings, only I was interested in cars (starting at age 5) which caused my Father and I to build a loving and emotional bond. My father was an incredible car enthusiast (he started driving at age 11 in 1926)! These pictures take be back to a world that has sadly gone by ~ Thank you so much for doing this.
These models are wonderful. I write Asa freelance for a dolls house and miniatures magazine in the UK, so if you would like your work featured, please let me know. I am always on the lookout for features to write.
What an amazing diorama!! I have been modelling for 45 odd years and have NEVER seen anything to equal this!! SUPERB, keep it up. Just a shame there are so few 4 door sedans available today(or ever). Keep up the astounding work. I’m jealous!! Cheers Alan(CJ)
Spetacular !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Smith, I have to thank you for your photograph that has helped my Father memory that now in his 90’s his short term is getting bad to worse but your photos brought back memorys back in the days when worked on cars with his brothers here in the Bay Area starting around the 30’s. He can remembers all of the cars make and model and even the horsepower of the motor. Thanks you again for such wonderful photographs.
Great presentation, enjoyed it very much. As I drive a 1968 Plymouth Valiant. Wish I knew how to put it in my favorites.
Every athlete appreciates that there are few who become Olympians. And every hobbyist appreciates that there are few that become artists.
However it is the artists like Michael who inspire us to become the best hobbyists we can be…
And that reflects on a most worthy life.
Thank you for continuing to create, inspire and make the world a better place Michael.
Fantastic work. Is this an ongoing project for you. Looks like a lot of love sweat and tears went into this.
The models are as expected, wonderful, I have mnost of them myself, but the buildings, and the scenes FANTASTIC!!!!
So amazing. The Dinner is very much like one my Father owned in Moline, Il.in the 50’s. Many of the cars shown I have owned at one time or another and wish I still had.
Your work and photography is spectacular.
It’s fantastic. Can we see it some where?
Can we see this in person? It’s fantastic.
Reminds me of the Archie Comics of the ’50’s and ’60’s! Especially the Ice Cream Parlor, just like Pop’s Choklit Shop! Wish the world was still like that!
Yes! Master!
Nice!! creative and original. Could add rustiness to some cars, maybe. Just to put some characters.
Viva RedCafe
That’s pretty cool, however i live in colorado springs and if you wanna see something really amazing look at the Michael Garmin gallery (at least i think that’s it, it’s been forever since I’ve toured his workshop.) I don’t know if it’s still around but he made all his own pieces by hand and it’s simply amazing. I think it’s called magic town or something.
This is super. It is so real that it just look like real.
I can’t tell what is real and what is not … I’ve never seen anything so wonderful in my life!
That is really increasable work ! beautiful and beautifully done. Can’t imagine how much time goes in to each one . Congratulations !!
As a scale modeler let me say this is the work of a MASTER. It’s a privilege to see it. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Time to work on stepping up my “game”!
can I buy any of the models, please
I think that 59 Chevy is my Dad’s. Just perfect.
Great Talent you have, keep up the terrific work.
this is very delightful! great work and thanks for sharing!
I too as Jeannie suggested, would like to buy the photos. I am in a local car club.
These miniatures are incredible and awesome. So realistic, at first I really thought they were full size because I love 40’s & 50’s era cars.
I build 19th century building 1″ 1/4 high X 3/4″ wide with windows, trip and wooden sidewalks.
Beyond exceptional! Thank you for sharing these with all of us. I especialy like the level of detail like leaves in the gutters and tracks in the snow! Super job! I would like to know what modle co. you use for your modles? Keep up the good work.
i also have a collection of cars would you sell your
collection im from sask canada
Thanks you for all these brilliant photographs. They look so real until you can see that they are models.
Photo shopped! Especially the one with that big ole head of that old geezer sticking up from God knows where.
I jest, seriously, awesome job, really brings me back to a better, simpler and more innocent time in our great country, God Bless You…and America!
Aloha from Hawaii
Truely Amazing. How I would love to be really there. Greetings from Louisiana.
I like the fine details in these miniatures. If you got more shots of the whole setup then please post more.
Michael,
Your interest and talent are unbelieveable. You have pleased many a person with your gifts. What a pleasure it was to view the show and how suprised I was when you appeared in the picture to discover they were all hand made and not photographs. I would love to be able to get a series of pictures that I could use as a backdrop for my HO model railroading.
Bill
Michael, gracias por ese gran trabajo. Yo vivo en Guatemala y pertenezco a un club de aficionados a autos a escala y todos hemos gozado viendo esas bellezas de autos y el trabajo que has realizado.
Wonderful! And special thanks for the Hudson Hornet – Hudsons were our family’s world (and bread and butter) in New Hampshire for a long time.
Great collection !
Absolutely amazing; had I not been told these were models I could easily have accepted them as genuine antique photos. Great job
Just how did you DO that??I’ve made a few models but …how’d you DO that?
can’t stop looking at this great artist’s work – what a joy to see –
Art is contemplation: the pleasure of the spirit that pervades the nature and discovers that she also has a soul. It is the most sublime mission of man, it is the exercise of thought that seeks to understand the universe, and make the others understand
WHen I saw the photo with him in it, I got kinda scared. . .
This is nothing short of amazing. Unbelievable detail and there is even a Studebaker or two in there. My Mile stone 1956 Golden Hawk would be proud to be in with these beauties. THANK YOU for your time and talent. This is a wonderful display of yesterday
great night streets!
where are people? :))
amazing work!
Really cool. I love it!!!
Very nicely done. Very cool look at nostalgia. I too as Jeannie suggested, would like to buy the photos. I am in a local car club. We own 30’s through 70’s cars and a slideshow would work so well art one of our meetings. Please consider reducing your work to a CD and selling it.
I’m truly amazed. Brilliant work.
i LOVE your car work!!!!!!!!! is it possible to purchase some of your photos? or a book of your work?
The lighting looks natural that it is quite hard to tell that they are unreal. Btw, that big head pops out of the woods did surprised me a little 😀
It´s an amazing job congratulations!!!
Greetings from México
WOW, really amazing works! Thanks a lot.
That is so cool! I cant imagine how much time went into that. I probably couldnt do that in maybe 2 years!