His method relied on a physical form of photo-montage. Martin photographed oversized produce or animals separately from the background scenes. He then cut these elements out and pasted them onto a secondary print before re-photographing the final composition. This manual process allowed him to create a sense of scale that was both absurd and convincing to the early twentieth-century eye. His work defined the genre of exaggeration photography.

Modern collectors value these prints for their playful surrealism and historical curiosity. The images offer a humorous look at American folk traditions and early trick photography. They provide a unique alternative to traditional botanical or scenic art. A William H. Martin print functions as a distinct conversation piece in a contemporary interior.