Tron Legacy and Hpnotiq

Tron Legacy is very inspirational. After several shoots with one of my favorite models, Haylie Myers, we kept playfully describing a Tron™ Concept shoot. We had been inspired prior to Halloween to start testing new innovative Black Light [UV] techniques. After each test shoot I did, people began wondering and asking how each photo was made, considering they progressively became better and better. The goal wasn't at first to do great themed shoots, it was to prepare for the big shoot; the Tron Legacy inspired shoot with Haylie Myers.

The first test shoot on Sunday I decided to do was with Maddie Bourne, to test out the Black Lights, Light absorbtion, Color refraction and side/hair lights using such methods in preparation for the Tron Concept Shoot.  I discovered 3 important factoids: 

1) White glows blue, under the modified "Cloudy" White Balance.

2) The more neon/flourescent the color, the brighter the refraction of light.

3) My computer LCD screen doubled as a "warming" light!

Used:

Computer Monitor [warming light], White comforter, and Neon/Fluorescent objects.

The second test shoot on Monday was with my artistic painter friend, Tiana Fleshman. We came up with the concept of a Neon Tribal Shaman, where she had started the makeup design and I added the perfect points and final brush details with Neon Acrylic paints.

What I learned from this test shoot was much more valuable:
1) Who the hell knew I could do makeup like that!

2) Neon-fluorescent poster board made the "red" side lighting possible.

3) Silky white fabric made the "Cool White" right side lighting.

4) New methods for painting the body [makeup] and props.

5) I'm lacking a hair-light [color refracting object] for the head!

Used:

Blue and white Neon Acrylic Paints, Painted tree limb, white silk sheet, Orange Poster Board and Black UV Lights.

The third test shoot on Tuesday had been with Elayna Balter, a friend and 2 months prior I had the privilege to photograph her wedding! The main concern of this shoot was to create more props, with limited resources I used a black light on my room. It was cleaner than you thought! I targeted some bright white sketching paper, as to which I used the entire book of paper to make her armor. Yes, her armor is made out of Sketching Paper, within 30 minutes! Awesome, right? 

Here is what I learned:

1) White silk fabrics work great as "hair/catch lights"

2) White can easily be inverted to "brushed steel" black in Post prod.

3) Adding light flares in post production really make the photo pop!

4) Who knew I could make paper armor well and makeup also??

Used:
Sketch paper cut for armor, Duct Tape, blue and white Neon Acrylic Paints, white silk sheets and Black UV Lights.

The fourth and final test shoot was with Bekah Jorgenson, to test my "Paper Prop" abilities in regards to conceptualizing a creative theme. I wanted glowing wings, from paper; so I did just that. The main challenge of this shoot was makeup, I did two rough drafts and ended up wiping her face clean of makeup in frustration, as I forgot what wardrobe looked like. Lesson learned, models should wear the bazaar outfits during makeup, so conceptualizing the theme is much easier and not forgotten! Inconvenient, yes, all be it a learning experience.

Here is what I learned:

1) Wear costume or pre-draw makeup

2) Add more color to skin, brighten the photos!

3) Body language, facial cues, and posture REALLY help.
4) Practice, prepare, and make sure everything is ready pre-shoot!

Used:
Sketch paper cut into tiny feather pieces, Duct Tape, blue and white Neon Acrylic Paints, white silk sheets and Black UV Lights.

After all of these test shoots were out of the way I learned three major things. I can do makeup well, fluorescent paper is great "color/side" lighting, and body language is really key to success. While experimenting with different tools to generate a glow under a UV light, I noted what would be required for the Tron Concept Shoot.

No more tests! The day came to shoot with Haylie Myers for the Tron inspired shoot. I had been preparing all week non-stop and we were both ready to make it a stunning concept shoot! To the right is the first image, the more "portrait" oriented imagine for Haylie, as she is a big Tron fan.

What I learned:

1) Paper lines do glow, yet they also rip, deform, and peel off.

{Paint would have been better, but more time consuming}

2) Side (glow) lighting really helps accentuate low-light photos

3) Costume details don't matter as much, if the photo is dark enough.

Used:
"Bobb" hair style wig, Wooden hanger pole painted black and wrapped with white paper, Long white paper for glowing lines and circles, doubled sided tape underneath the paper, silk sheets for side lights, and Black UV Lights.

The second image, listed below, almost never even happened! We were both exoughsted, high fived and called it a day. Then I shouted "GLOW STICKS!" As we forgot to cut open her blue glow sticks, put them in a glass, and play off the "Livations for everyone!" theme in Tron. This is during the "End of the Line: Club" scene, where they are drinking beverages that glow. The original concept was for Livations, having fun with Tron scenes. Little did I realize during the shoot, the glowing blue liquid looked scary similar to Hpnotiq [www.Hpnotiq.com], the alcoholic beverage. 

Bouncing off this immediate inspiration, I decided to look for a Hpnotiq Advertisement. After I found the perfect slogan "It's Hpnotiq" I decided to narrow my search, through the images, for a Hypnotic posture and gaze. I found it. This was it, after cleaned up, here is the final draft and "Mock Up" advertisement. Tron Legacy and Hpnotiq Inspired:

Thank you for visiting, reading, and learning with me!

What CRAZY props, items, and "McGeiver" setups have you used in photography, or for that matter, any form of art?

*Note / Disclaimer*
I do endorse Tron Legacy™ as well as Hpnotiq™, however, I did not collaborate with them for this shoot. This was simply a series of test shoots, with the main goal being a Tron™ based inspirational shoot for educational growth.








Sources:
http://disney.go.com/tron/ {TRON: Legacy}
http://www.hpnotiq.com/ {Hpnotiq's website}
http://www.devonwayne.com/#!__creative {Devon Wayne's website}