Final Project: Impossible Image

As per my Digital Still Imaging II class, I was challenged to capture what is called an impossible image, a situation that may be impossible within normal reality. After discussing the idea with several friends, one of them brought up the fact that they are a gymnast capable of doing several stunts and flips. With this in mind, I was thinking how can i create an appealing image that revolves around an individual backflipping.

This naturally lead to research around the internet around this sort of subject. A couple images and videos really sparked some ideas which I will describe in a bit:

The ability to capture a particular moment in a backflip is going to require a camera with a fast shutter speed in order to make sure there is no blur mid-backflip This is something I am going to verify with my teacher to see if this is possible with the stock Nikon D60's.

What really spoke to me about this image was the ability to capture the flip but tell a story. The subject, the business man, is flipping around one of his work tools, a laptop computer. My ideas for the impossible image will require minimal photomanipulation, but more photo capturing precision since I am looking to capture one singular moment. When capturing a backflip, you give a sense of weightlessness to the subject.

In this image, the photographer is able to capture an image of someone backflipping over a small object, in this case a child. What makes this image captivating is the lines the photographer uses to draw the viewer in. - from the eyes of the child to the eyes of the flipper in addition to the vertical alignment of the flippers legs and the child's body.

The above video if possible to capture the moment the bottle rocket passes the flipper's face, in my opinion, would be an possible moment captured in an "impossible image".

There are a couple running ideas that I have for this impossible image:

Flipper + Food: I could have the flipper flip over some french fries as he takes one of the fries out of the container. This would require a composite of the flipper eating a french fry mid backflip and the french fries on a background plate.

Flipper + Person Texting: I could have the flipper texting mid-backflip over another individual sitting down cross legged who is texting him.

Flipper + Keys: I could have the flipper (dressed as a business man) catch a set of keys thrown by an individual sitting on the ground mid-air. This could represent a dramatic morning-going to work scene.

Flipper + Easy Button: Have the flipper mid-flip hit the Staples Easy Button. The challenge would be capturing everything in focus and compositing in the button being pressed.

Flipper Flipping in Main Building: Composite the flipper making it appear as though he is flipping off of the bannister in Drexel's Main Building. The difficulty in this image would be color correcting the composited flipping, making him appear as though he fits under the Tungsten lighting.

 

 

 

I plan to bring up these concerns during my proposal critique and will post my progress and final impossible image in the coming weeks! Keep it locked.