This was an embarrasing night a year or too ago where a lightpainting friend of mine, Darren Hopkins, kindly donated a life size mannequin arranged in a sitting position complete with no head!
What I had not anticipated was how embarrasing or questionable it might be actually transporting said mannequin from the back of my car along a road to this footbridge. When you're already loaded with a backpack, two tripods and two flash stands, it's actually quite difficult to carry the mannequin. So I figured it was best to grab the mannequin and run down the road as quick as I could before anyone drove by and asked me what the hell I was doing!
Anyway, long story short, more cars than I could have imagined drove past with one slowing down to check me out to make sure I wasn't a serial killer! I think the driver possibly saw how big and mean I looked so drove on by!
To make this shot, once I'd got over the embarrassment, I positioned the mannequin in front of a gelled Godox strobe on the footbridge:
For the second part of the shot, I placed a cardboard tube over the lens to make a funnel or hole over the lens. This would then prevent light from hitting the sensor so no matter what lightpainting I did, only the circular part would appear on the image sensor.
Once happy I set about shooting both elements in one photographic exposure. I started with the cardboard tube and spun some fine grade steel wool on a drill knowing the sparks wouldn't spill over the outside of the circle. I then removed the tube and fired the flash. Ended the exposure, job done.
To be honest after this, I didn't keep the mannequin for very long and vowed always to shoot with real people! If anyone wants to volunteer to model for me that would be great, thank you!!
This shot was created in one photographic exposure using a Sony A7 and a Sony Zeiss 16-35mm lens
About me: I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/fastchrisuk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fastchris/
If you'd like to see more light painting on Steemit then give @lightpaintershub a follow and you'll be introduced into the wonderful world of light painting.