Students Transform Everyday Objects into Urban Landscapes

Advanced Photography students at Huntington High School recently completed a creative project titled “Staple City,” which challenged them to design and photograph miniature cityscapes using ordinary one package of staples.

Through careful construction, thoughtful composition and deliberate photographic choices, students produced images that convincingly suggest towering skylines, dense neighborhoods, and expansive urban environments — all built from simple objects.

The project required students to think like both designers and photographers. Before ever picking up a camera, each student planned and constructed a small-scale “city,” using repetition, variation in height, and organized placement to create the illusion of architecture. Staples, paper clips, and other everyday materials became buildings, streets, and city blocks, transformed through patience and precision.

Once their cities were built, students focused on how photography could enhance the illusion of scale. Shooting from low angles, controlling depth of field, and using directional lighting helped their miniature constructions feel immersive and believable. Shadows, highlights, and selective focus added atmosphere and depth, allowing viewers to momentarily forget the true size of the materials and see the work as a full-scale urban landscape.

“While the final photographs appear expansive, the success of ‘Staple City’ lies in the attention to detail,” photography teacher Pamela Piffard explained. “Students made intentional choices about spacing, density, and perspective, understanding that small adjustments could dramatically change how the scene is perceived. The project emphasized craftsmanship, problem-solving, and careful observation at every stage.”