Miniature World By Paul Stephens

Photographer Creates 'Little Britain'

A vivid metaphor for the way in which corporate branding dominates our lives, or just an excuse to imagine what the world would be like if we were two inches tall?

As with all art, you’re welcome to read whatever you like into Paul Stephens' creation Miniature World, which places mini-men in scenes that makes it look like they’re constructing some of Britain’s most familiar products.

The tiny figures are normally deployed around miniature railways to give a sense of life to train sets in attics across the country, but self-confessed photography addict Stephens struck upon the idea of using them alongside packets of Quavers crisps and Skittles sweets instead.

“I like to use instantly-recognisable objects as props in my photographs,” said the 33-year-old.

“Using well-known brands is a really great way to achieve this.

“The viewer instantly makes a personal connection with the photograph, which fuels their interest in what they’re looking at.

“My favourite scene is the Polo factory because this is the first idea I had in mind when planning the project and because of its simplicity.

“Almost everybody likes Polos and is familiar with their size.

“So seeing them at such a relative scale to the men adds immediate interest for the viewer.”

Birmingham transport planner Paul has only been taking pictures seriously since he bought his first professional camera nine months ago.

Since then he’s be spending all his spare time creating the miniature scenes in the gallery above.

“The reactions always tend to be the same, a nice big grin – which tells me that they like what they’re looking at.

“One common reaction, especially to the food and sweets photographs, is a desire to have whatever is in the photo.

“The viewer associates their memories of the product with the photo.

“I think is the main reason behind the smiles.”

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