I receive lots of e-mails and Facebook entries that feature someone’s idea of fascinating subject matter whether it be pithy sayings, preposterous political propaganda, religious rhetoric, dirty jokes and cartoons or photographs..I’m sent lots of photographs. Some I cannot click DELETE fast enough, others get a quick glance but one I received last week kept me awed and occupied for over an hour and I wanted to share here. I’ve never met Michael Paul Smith but I have become a huge fan of his work. He’s a Pennsylvania guy who’s just a marvelous photographer and, like me, loves all things automotive. His combination of those skills has set the hobby world on its ear. Well, here are a few samples of his stuff..see for yourself.
A busy street in Elgin Park USA on a cold winter's day in the 1950's
A rainy Spring night
What’s so special about those images, you say? Well, check this out.
All is not what it seems. That's Mr. Smith standing behind a few of the 300 plus die cast model cars in his collection. He places them on a card table, sprinkles some powdered sugar on a grey flat and, using a natural background, finds perfect perspective for his photos.
Just a simple card table and homemade flat for the street or parking lot.
Smith never uses computer photoshop although he will use different settings to create a mood like black and white. He also uses just a simple 6 pixel camera with no fancy lenses..again because its perfect for the proper look.
Although Smith does not make the cars..he does construct the houses and buildings himself in incredible detail.
He uses natural lighting for the day scenes.
For many of the night scenes he'll use a few electric lights
I love this shot. To achieve it, Smith used a 60 watt bulb inside the store which, like all of the buildings, benches, street lamps, signs, fences and furniture he made himself.
A hot summer day in the fifties
The reality. Amazing.
Smith used tiny LED lights in the homemade trailer to create this early campsite scene.
At the Elgin Park Depot in the thirties.
The reality.
I’m pretty late coming to this Michael Paul Smith appreciation party. Google tells me that his pictures have been viral on the internet for some time and millions have seen them but if you’d like to spend a little more time checking out Elgin Park USA CLICK HERE .
Now, I’ve got to get back writing my next blog on potentially dangerous pet cats…NOT!