#BehindTheShot with #CanonExplorerOfLight @dorn.bruce, DGA | “I love taking photos but I really love making photos! Coming up with a good idea, however, is always an adventure. These images, from my most recent self-assignment, “The Adventures of Bad Apple and Ducky,” offer a glimpse into the methods behind my madness.
Inspiration: The inspiration for this shoot was a teensy model tank built by a friend. The instant I saw it I knew I had to use it as a “Hanging Miniature”; a forced-perspective, in-camera, special effect technique widely used in pre-digital Hollywood.
Ideation: With this technique in mind, I got the idea of creating my own comic book!
Preparation: I wanted a strong female protagonist so I recruited Natasha, an imaginative cosplay model who can act. After considering my storyline I sketched a few concept frames, went shopping for some military props, discovered Ducky the Doll, and built my character a bazooka out of PVC pipe and scrap aluminum. Low cost and loads of fun!
Execution: I twisted an EF 24-70mm F4L IS zoom onto my 50.6MP Canon EOS 5Ds R, tucked the tank in my pocket, and off to the desert we went. Knowing that I had to leave room for my actress to act, I composed my frames with just the right amount of negative space. I set my camera to Manual Mode, Daylight WB, ISO 400, F/16, 1/85th. Two weeks later, after a quick stop at a Halloween shop to buy wound-and-bruise make-up, I met my actress at a tiny rental studio in downtown LA. As the model did her make-up, I set up three full-spectrum LED lights. My key-light was set to 5600K WB and my two kickers were orange. Once again, the Canon EOS 5Ds R carried my EF 24-70mm F/4L IS and was set to ISO 800, F/6.3, 1/100th.
Editing: My model’s poses were visually-resized and layered over the desert backgrounds until I was happy with the look. Flames, smoke, dust, and tracer fire were added in post.” Follow @dorn.bruce and check out earlier chapters of “The Adventures of Bad Apple & Ducky.”
Ciao, Nihon.