Help! Input Welcome...

JoeW · Feb 11, 2015

I'm shooting a series of photographies depicting the Stations of the Cross (the crucification of Christ) for a church seeking artwork.

There is one specific concept I'm looking to achieve. I want to show a reflection of the crucifixion (i.e.: Christ on the cross) in the eyes of a young woman. In my dreams I'd like to actually catch the crucifixion captured in a teardrop.

So...advice...tips...suggestions...for this concept?

SnappingShark · Feb 11, 2015

Take one photo of Christ on cross.
take another of the woman tearing up.

photoshop image 1 into tear of image 2.

That's my best guess at what will work best.

480sparky · Feb 11, 2015

It would be called a 'composite' image. I would think the crucifixion would either be 'right-side-up' if it's a reflection, but 'up-side-down' if it's refracted through the tear.

Actual tears are quite small, so I'd say to pull it off, you'd have to take a close-up of the eye and cheek.

I like the concept. I'd love to see the result.

Forkie · Feb 12, 2015

You could also set the cross up (upside down) next to a girl and fake the tear with a pipette. Real tears are not very clear, they contain salts and oils that they pick up as they role down the cheek.

I would also shoot from the non-tear side of the face so you can see through the tear on the opposite cheek - otherwise, her nose will be in the way

The trickiest part will be getting the tear to stay on the cheek long enough before either rolling away or being absorbed by the skin. Once a couple have been absorbed and the skin is wet, they won't hold their shape. You could try applying baby oil to the cheek first and have her head tilted back - you'd need to work out how to place the cross and frame the shot so that it doesn't look like she has her head tilted back.

JoeW · Feb 12, 2015

First, of all, thanks to you both for comments.

Not sure if we can pull off the tear. I was assuming it would need to be a fake one anyway. I was going to use a dropper but a pipette sounds better.

I want her to have her head looking up (as if she's kneeling on the ground looking up at Jesus on the cross) so tilting the head is actually an appropriate "cheat" in this case with the concept.

I've done a lot of refraction shots (with drops of water, glasses of water, etc.) so while I'd like to try the shot with the tear, I think that's going to be the least impressive to the common viewer (who will look at it and initially think "why the heck is the cross upside down?") plus I think I'm going to have to be so close to get a clear, obvious shot of it in the tear it's going to be one giant tear, one eye and some eyelashes in the frame and that's it. But we'll see.

Please folks, keep those tips and ideas coming...

Forkie · Feb 12, 2015

Maybe you could just do a portrait and think of a way to get crucifix-shaped catchlights in her eyes?

Maybe cross two fluorescent tubes into a crucifix and use them as your key light? Like a ring light, but with a cross...

Designer · Feb 12, 2015

JoeW; if you're going to try that reflection idea, I would suggest getting REALLY CLOSE to someone's eye, so that the Crucifixion actually shows up in the reflection.

tirediron · Feb 12, 2015

Forkie said:
Maybe you could just do a portrait and think of a way to get crucifix-shaped catchlights in her eyes?

Maybe cross two fluorescent tubes into a crucifix and use them as your key light? Like a ring light, but with a cross...

"New, from Kino Flo, the CROSS LIGHT... favorite key light of papal photographers everywhere!" :lol:

I like that idea Ian; I think you're on to something.

Forkie · Feb 12, 2015

tirediron said:
Forkie said:

Maybe you could just do a portrait and think of a way to get crucifix-shaped catchlights in her eyes?

Maybe cross two fluorescent tubes into a crucifix and use them as your key light? Like a ring light, but with a cross...

Click to expand...

"New, from Kino Flo, the CROSS LIGHT... favorite key light of papal photographers everywhere!"

I like that idea Ian; I think you're on to something.

And there are some who think I'm just a pretty face... :icon_rolleyes:

480sparky · Feb 12, 2015

I'm pretty sure the cross Jesus was actually crucified on didn't fluoresce.

JoeW · Feb 12, 2015

Again, I'm appreciating the input and the exchange here. This is precisely why a community like this is invaluable. Some of the comments are things I've thought of. Some are new issues to me. All of them are valuable and helpful as I think through this process. More comments (and suggestions) welcome.