"The Indulgence of Camp"

Apologies for the lack of updates recently 🙇🏽‍♂️!! I went to visit my family a couple months ago and returned to new responsibilities at work, which has been keeping me very busy. Things are starting to ease up so I'm hoping I can get back into a good rhythm of posting again.

I had a lot of fun picking this project up again and I sincerely missed it. If you enjoyed it too:

Composition Check

Picking up where I left off with the last pic in this series, I'm using classical composition techniques that are a hallmark of Renaissance period art. Rabatment of the rectangle (left) for dynamic symmetry, which we use to inform the placement of the circular composition (right), helping us anchor our attention.

I wanted to focus on the relationships between characters, so I reinforced the fibonacci spiral (left) with fireflies, who illuminate at night to help them find a mate. There's also an implied heart shape in the middle (though I probably could have made this more prominent).

The story gets really interesting when you follow the gazes and unpack the symbolism in the image. I have my own ideas about who pairs of with who (or maybe there's a triad in the works)...but I'm curious to hear what you see. I think it tells us a lot about ourselves and I want to leave it open to interpretation.

Environment and Lighting Design

My feed has been filled with beautiful photos from different gay camping events. I've never been (tragic), so this is an amalgamation of different themes I've seen in photos. Everyone is doing something different that is part of the gay camp experience.

It was important to capture the anticipation of intimacy, and I thought I could achieve that with thoughtful lighting. The campfire is the brightest, drawing your gaze to the middle of the scene...this intimate light baths everyone nearby in warm hues. The top of the scene uses more cool lighting, mirroring the more casual vibe of the subjects up there...but as we move lower the subjects are becoming more sexual, and the light becomes an energetic neon blue. (The same neon blue emitted by the fireflies).

The purple creates contrast. I wish I had some cool meaning for it, but it's just the right color to balance these heavy hitting hues.

Thank you!

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did making it. If you enjoy it, please check out my patreon, my store, or get some free phone wallpapers.

The Crossing at 7th and Stonewall

Outtake: highland bull

Hustlin' Hog's Rear View

It Came From Behind

Before the Weight Room

See all posts from Restaurant Weak