I am a huge fan of miniatures and I was aware of Michael Paul Smith's work through his Flickr gallery and references online. This book combines wickedly creative jaw-dropping camera perspective tricks and fiddles to thoroughly fool the eye.

Comment after comment in the book and on his website says 'Come on, these are REAL aren't they'?! Most miniature and diorama work can be distinguished easily; something just looks a little bit off. Very rarely, the eye really is fooled into having to LOOK for that 'one little thing that isn't quite right'. These pictures, and I mean -every single one of them- is so perfect that when the camera angle is shifted to show the scale models as models, it's the out of place hand or plywood base in the shot that looks out of place. The cover is a good example. It's a scene out of 'The attack of the 50 foot tall man! (in 3D)'. The cars are real, the house is real, the man looks photoshopped in!

I will always be in awe of Michael Paul Smith's utter mastery of perspective and his model building expertise is mind-blowing. I have friends who are professional architects and they're in awe of his structure modeling too.

If the artist were only a gifted miniaturist, that might get old after a while. That's just not the case here. The photos have a definite narrative. They resonate. It's easy to set myself in the scene and imagine what the people in the house would be doing or how the Dr. would spend his scant weekend free time. The use of light and photography filters is virtuoso. He's a wizard and I fervently hope we continue to be allowed to enjoy his magic for many years to come.

Five supernova stars!

While it wasn't what I expected from the description, I really enjoyed the pictures and details on the miniatures. Reminded me of visiting the Thorn Rooms.

Fascinating look at Michael Paul Smith's Elgin Park photography series that was originally featured online. Smith makes composite picture in miniature that are set in the past (1920s to 1950's, primarily). It is especially interesting to see not only his images, but also the greater scene to understand the care and meticulous attention Smith gives to details in constructing his images.

Wow, what a unique and interesting photo book. This book was so fun to read and look and re-look at that pictures. Taking miniature sets and photographing them in life size backgrounds was so cool. Learning how he did all of the staging, models and construction to make each of these photos happen was amazing. You will never look at a picture again without thinking how did they do that and is that the real size of everything.
Love of cars, places and things gone by make this a beautiful book to share.

ELGIN PARK is a fictional town created by photographer Michael Paul Smith through his photography. It is representative of midcentury America, but on a much smaller scale. The book takes readers through a guided tour of what made him begin shooting his photographs, to creating his Flickr account, to why the book was created. It's a collection of his followers commentary as much as it is of the photographs he's taken along the way, which only adds to the work, letting us all relate even more to it. As one quoted person says: "It's art, but art brought to ordinary people's emotional lives."

The book is not only visually impressive, watching how Smith creates his photographs using model cars against the backdrops of homes he's created, etc, so that it truly is life at 1/24th the normal size, but it's stimulating because you can see how his work evolved based on interactions with those who found his work interesting. Definitely a great conversational piece and would make an awesome coffee table book.

Elgin Park: Visual Memories of MidCentury America at 1/24th Scale is about a unique project created by Michael Paul Smith. He photographs "old-timey" model cars and handmade scenes to recreate childhood memories. These scenes are loosely based on the town of Sewickley, PA during the mid-1960's. This book is a behind the scenes look at where and how Mr. Smith creates these magical scenes. They look so real! He turned his hobby into preserving the past. "...represents a deep nostalgia for...the lost world of people's childhood and adolescence." Originally posted to his Flickr account, visitor comments are included which show just how much these scenes have impacted his audience. Captions contain dates, artist thoughts, and how-to information on what it took to create the shot. It is uncanny to look at the 1/24 scale models at the actual photo shoot and end photographs themselves. The attention to detail with minimal props is phenomenal! Additionally, he has added characters to each caption to build another layer of story without actually adding people to the photograph. "My photos are a one-frame story being told." This hasn't stopped fans from photoshopping themselves onto Elgin Park pics though! As a modeler, photographer, artist, storyteller, teacher, and friend, Michael Paul Smith has created a better world. As a bonus, you might spot Robby the Robot too!

I have to start my review by saying that Elgin Park is the first book I read that combines photography and arts and crafts in such a unique way. Michael Paul Smith does an amazing job introducing a hobby that gained such a following the past few years and interests people all over the world.

Elgin Park is a fictional town built by Mr. Smith. A romantic at heart artist with so much talent and an affinity for true American nostalgia. This book contains amazing photos and all his efforts to built something so inspiring and majestic.

The photos are not processed or photoshopped, the scenes are directed perfectly and everything used is a hand-made. The feel of those decades is apparent even in the tiniest detail and the final product looks too real.


THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK

- Great for every car enthusiast.
- Or a photography buff...
- And even for lovers of the early 1900's to 1960's.
- You can also visit the Elgin Park here: http://www.visitelginpark.com

Michael Paul Smith gained an online following through his photographs of mid century America made entirely by miniature models he has hand made.

This book is stunning. The detail in his work is mind blowing and shows his dedication to his art. The behind the scene photos and snippets were wonderful glimpses into what started Smith's work and the time that goes into these wonderful photos.

A great read for those with a love for the 40s/50s Americana aesthetic.

It is a really interesting insight into how the author created his miniature photos

I am in shock and awe of what one man has done with a folding table, a toy car, and a doll house. This book is basically a behind the scenes look at how Michael Paul Smith builds his photography town of Elgin Park. What goes into making the houses and buildings. How he comes up with his backstory for the town. And a small introduction into the mind of a Photography Super Hero. Anyone who is into photography who sees this book will probably agree with me when I call him a Super Hero.

When I first saw this book I was thinking I was just going to get a book of photographs but I got so much more. I loved reading about how Michael Paul Smith came up with Elgin Park, how he builds his backdrops, how he twists a photo into a meaningful story.
I have a true love of photography.

I have well over 100,000 pictures on my hard drive I have taken myself but nothing like this. I see, I like, I take a picture of it. Michael Paul Smith see's with is imagination, takes a toy car from his vast collection, builds a house or building then goes out in the town he lives in to find the perfect backdrop for his photos. Whether it is a bridge, a set of trees, another building, or just in his driveway.

Michael Paul Smith has invented his own town called Elgin Park. He bases it on the town of Sewickley Pennsylvania, where he grew up.

Michael Paul Smith builds his own houses to 1/24 scale. He completely furnishes most of them all hand made mind you. He has thought of everything from the tiniest napkin holders in the diner to the tarps to cover cars.

His photos have no people but his captions added to each photo tells the story of the lives of the people in Elgin Park without their faces. Your minds eye can picture this town with people everywhere doing their day to day thing, shopping, working, kids playing, dogs barking whatever. It really makes you want to pack and move to this small imaginary town.

If you were to see these photos without knowing they were props you would think they were real life photo's taken in the 20's to the 60's when life was simpler. some of these photo's are taken on Michael's kitchen counter's but you would never know. Everything is done to scale. You cannot tell where reality and prop begin or end in the photo's. They look so real. This a a book I will be cherishing for years to come. I may even try some tips I learned in the book just to see what and if I can come anywhere near accomplishing even the tiniest bit of what Michael Paul Smith has.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

This book was very interesting...as my sister and I also do miniatures...that is basically why I read it...I was curious to read a story...about how a person made his own city...in miniature...how he made his own "world"...I really enjoyed this book..and recommend it to anyone...especially anyone with an interest in miniatures!

This book was part story, part history, part educational, and all amazing. The photos that are showed though the chapters create a story by just looking at them. And then the reader is shown how the photo was set up and you find out what is miniature and what isn't. The creator isn't shy about discussing how he created these different illusions and sets. What materials he used and how he made it all work. It also included some of the responses from others that followed the work online. They played into the stories that Mr. Smith created and he added on from there. It was a great working relationship. He also welcomed feedback and corrections graciously. Anyone that is interested in illusion type photography could learn a few things as well as anyone that would like to just reminisce about an era passed.

I have heard of Michael Paul Smith and his amazing photographs before so I was excited to read this. This book shows the work Michael does to build sets and create scenes. It also includes others who are joining in on the fun and visitors comments. The end results are always my favorite but I enjoyed seeing the behind the scene shots as well.

I was absolutely charmed and delighted with the lovely Elgin Park. The amount of work, and in equal part, love, combined with dedication, make this the magic that it is. I loved reading about the detail and planning that went into each scene, and seeing the finished product. Nothing short of amazing!

The level of detail created by Michael Paul Smith is mind boggling. I have always been attracted to miniatures and dreamed of making my own house complete with furnishings and fixtures. This latest Elgin Park is a demonstration of commitment, pure talent and a wonderful desire to share the joy of loving what you do. Full Disclosure: I was allowed to read a copy of this book for free as a member of NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not influenced to give a positive review.