Color Test for The Saint

Just got done with the color test last night. I'm really happy with how it turned out and have to say that I like it better then the black and white version. I think this new process of making pictures, that I'm using with this series, is turning out really well overall. Making the black and white copy first gives me a chance to get the contrast and exposure just right. Then I'm free to experiment with the colors and get everything just right. I think the hardest part about it is giving the color depth and layers like natural colors have. The skin tones are especially hard to reproduce accurately. Hopefully with practice I can make some really amazing stuff.

Light Test for The Saint

Last night I suddenly got the urge to do a picture but the problem was the next appointment I had for any model was two weeks away. So I decided to set up the lights and do another self portrait to figure out the lighting for my next shoot. The next photo in my series is "The Saint" (working title). The idea is actually inspired by some of Jan Saudek's images.

I was really please with how the lighting turned out for this, especially when I got it right the first try. I think figuring out the lighting setup ahead of time will help a lot when I do the actual shoot two weeks from now. Now I just have to decide whether to keep it in black and white or make it color.

The Typist

Two post in one night! This is the second photo in my new series. The idea behind this one is uncontrollable obsession. I believe this is reflected in the papers posted on the wall and in front of him. I really wanted to make it feel like the paper was consuming him. Also, the look he has is supposed to convey a disturbing sense, because simply by looking at him we are interrupting his world. The red of the paper helps to convey this tense feeling and is also there to challenge and discomfort us.

(On a side note, the model's personality is nothing like this, he is actually quite cheerful and it took some time to develop the look needed for the piece.)

Update 2/22/08 - Since I've now done a lot more work in this series I no longer feel this portrait fits in with the overall feel and look that I'm attempting to accomplish. However, I am still keeping it on this site because I feel that its important to keep a record of this series progression intact even though I know that not ever piece will make it into my final series.

Self Portrait in the Yellow Room

I decided to start a new series. The idea behind this series is to create portraits that have a certain schizophrenic twist to them. That maybe the wrong word to use but the general idea is that the portraits take place in another world using a different mindset. "Self Portrait in the Yellow Room" is a great example because it shows me taking a picture of myself. The wall is actually white but I decided to change in an attempt to make it exist somewhere else in my mind. I want to go really crazy with this series and the colors is an important way to do that.