For instance, trying to light the enormous wigs in this series was a difficult task.  Not only did we have to make sure to highlight the various textures that were integral to the creation for each of them, but their enormous size took several different approaches when it came to light set up.  As well, the sheer weight of the wigs was so heavy on the models’ heads that members of the creative team had to stand behind them to help keep them upright.  The average person wouldn’t normally think about these things just looking at the photos, but problems like this are quite typical.

No matter how much planning goes into a shoot to make sure everything is right in-camera, some things simply cannot be accounted for.  We had to be creative even in our approach to overcome these challenges as they arose.  However, this is what makes the results so rewarding.

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

To capture the essence of these defiant yet undeniably sexy characters, my team and I draped all three models from head to toe in hair, allowing for the different textures and movement to showcase their sense of freedom and boisterous fashion styles.  To further enhance the drama, we utilized a fresh approach with makeup to give new life to the pin-up culture that I was very intrigued by during my own childhood as well.

To complete these looks, each image was digitally enhanced to create an aura of illustrative fantasy that enchanted their spellbinding personas.  Being able to recreate their attitudes and embellish them with these creations, the Dark Beauties series was truly an inspirational experience for everyone involved.” – Hauns Korpela

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles, Model: Jordan Daniele

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

We have recently confirmed with Hauns that we are set to begin production for his 2012 NAHA submissions beginning in January.  It’s always a pleasure to work with him so throughout December we will be highlighting the second series from his 2011 submissions, entitled “Dark Beauties.”  Just wait until you see these!  They really take conceptual hair design above and beyond.

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends and is preparing for the holidays like we are.  All of us here at Wellcan can’t express our gratitude to our clients and supporters enough for giving us the opportunity to  do what we love, so thank you!

]]> http://www.wellcanmedia.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=149 0 http://www.wellcanmedia.com/blog/?p=145 http://www.wellcanmedia.com/blog/?p=145#comments Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:52:16 +0000 Wellcan http://www.wellcanmedia.com/blog/?p=145

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

So once you know what you want in your photo, all you have to do is create it.  Some times that is easier said than done.  We had a theme and a certain direction in which we wanted to go with in this series of images. The main thing we wanted to do here was to showcase Hauns’ hairstyles for his NAHA submission.

The first thing we had to do was find some unique mannequins and some how make them come to life. Standard old/aged mannequins wouldn’t work for this shoot, and we knew that at some point some Photoshop would be required. Prior to the shoot we actually tested several approaches and shot them to see how they would look on camera. Once we had a look that worked for us we began prepping for the actual shoot.

One of the main challenges for this shoot was finding enough mannequins to keep each image unique; we actually had several gold, silver and white mannequins in both male and female form. Lighting the metallic forms of the mannequins, while properly exposing to capture the details in Hauns’ hair styling required custom and detailed lighting for each one of the models. This was complicated further by differences in skin tone, height differences, changes in angles and particular positions on location. The greatest difficulty was actually keeping the light consistent from shooting the mannequins to replacing the mannequin with our model and finally matching them up in post when merging the images. While trying to keep all of these things in mind, we still had to try to light things interestingly enough to enhance the environment and keep our surreal aesthetic.

Location is everything; we needed a location that felt like an appropriate “home” for our after hours friends. It needed to have some age and at the same time look like a place frequented by someone/something but forgotten by humans. The particular location we found had that special character we where looking for. In each image we tried to show off different aspects of where we where shooting to bring more character to each of our mannequins. Thankfully, from the help of our friends at the Columbus College of Art & Design, we were able to get into this great location on the CCAD campus that was in the process of being retrofitted and updated.

Coordinating and bringing everything together required the skills and talents of multiple individuals. From the hair and make-up, the props, the location, the talent, to our own individual skills behind the camera and in post, this collaboration wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of everyone involved. One of the things we are most proud of at Wellcan is having the privilege of creating these types of images with such a great group of people.

Thanks again, stay tuned for more soon…

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

In the Twilight Zone episode “After Hours”, it showed us that they joined the human race on a monthly furlough where they came to life to explore what they could never otherwise experience… This was the inspiration for the collection, to show off the spin that can be drawn from decades passed. Each mannequin represents a modern version of a period stemming back from those years where hair and makeup made statements, which were very much considered the fashion of the day. Beauty influences much of what designers create and acts as more than just an accessory that woman want to reflect. It has to translate to everyday, every outfit, and the mood women experience within their life. The reflection of time is a great mirror to the future that inspires the “what’s next”. We can create to press the fashion that worn by many including the mannequins that dress our many fashion houses. As you look to each of these mannequins, is she coming to life or stepping back to be come a reflection of time? As it’s stated in the Twilight Zone: “You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, of sight, of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas.”

Last fall I had the opportunity to work with a friend and master platform stylist Hauns Korpela on a creative photo project. He came to me with a great idea for for his submission at NAHA (The North American Hairstyliing Awards) in the categories of Avant Garde and Hairstylist of the year.

Hauns and his skilled team, consisting of one makeup artist and one assistant, flew to Columbus the weekend prior to the shoot date for casting and pre-production. In just a few short days Hauns’ team and the Wellcan team were able to finish hair and makeup details, secure a location, lighting, and iron out the final preparation. Long hours, early call-times, and several talented hands, legs, torsos, lights, wires and wigs, brought these ideas into fruition and we are all very proud of the results!

It was a great pleasure to work with such creatives! Thanks to our friends at Columbus College of Art & Design for allowing us to shoot on their Campus.

Since we are getting ready to team up with Hauns again this December, I thought that now would be the perfect time to share the series with you. I truly hope you enjoy them…

Each week I will post a new photo from the series and share a word or two from a team member about the prep, model, makeup, lighting, post processing, or some other random thought.. =)

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

Photography: Wellcan, Hair: Hauns Korpela, Make-up: Rudy Miles

studio #1 down... on to the park?

We take turns napping during renders on the scraps of soundproofing left over as padding for our external hard drives. The sound stage below us is clearing out as our mouses continue to diligently click away to the sound of the new Skrillex album topped with Ian’s render crash “goat sound”

my silent driver man.

I Flew out to NYC today for the Black Eyed Peas show in Central Park.

My flight landed earlier than the rest of our crew, I was greeted in baggage claim by a little suited bald man with a sign. We walked silently to his Lincoln and rode silently into the city.

On my walk to get some BBQ popchips and other necessities from CVS I snapped a couple photos of what was in the area.

Work week starts tomorrow. Going to be several all-nighters of clicking the mouse and making pretties! As usual working with a great team of friends and talented folk from Vidaroo Orlando. I will post more in the next few days!

60,000 PEOPLE GATHERING TO HELP 1.8 MILLION

The Black Eyed Peas and friends are joining with Robin Hood, the largest poverty fighting organization in New York City to raise funds to help the 1.8 million New Yorkers living in poverty. 100% of the profits will go to charity. We’ll raise funds, awareness and raise the roof at the same time. (Okay, Central Park doesn’t literally have a roof, but you get the idea.)http://blackeyedpeas.robinhood.org/

Toy Story 3 Tour. We were able to hire a couple of new 3d guys from CCAD and bring them along.

It was a great month of long hours and time spent in a basement under the arena.

Check out the pics and post from CCAD

the team

So with that said, I’m going to take this opportunity to post a few select pieces of our other work from the last year that didn’t quite make the cut for the main gallery on the site.

UNTITLED 2010
Model: Sarah
Hair/MUA: Brittany Whetnall
Additional Info: The idea for this photo came about while we were taking a break in our new studio that’s currently under construction.

(614) Magazine – Behind the Scenes
Photographer: Primp Studios
Additional Info: We were contacted by (614) Magazine to film a behind the scenes video for their monthly column Power Suit.

The Dispossessed
Model: Lindsay
Hair: Hauns Korpela
MUA: Mary McClure
Additional Info: Along with the main image that came from this session, we finished two other photos and edited together a behind the scenes video that was shot almost entirely on a Flip (sans the time lapse, compliments of the HVX 200).