Online Interview with photographer: FRIZZYCUBE
FrizzyCube
Model Mayhem#99
www.myspace.com/frizzycube
When I first joined the site ModelMayhem.com, I quickly became familiar with the image enhancing mastermind known as FrizzyCube. Using bold striking colors combined with flashy, yet strategically placed and encompassing graphics, his digital manipulations became instant eye candy that lead to awe and inspiration. Though we randomly and seldom converse only through email, I couldn’t help but to ask him to be one of my first interviewees. Picking at his artistic brain, I knew, was going to be fun!
So FrizzyCube, I'd like to thank you first and foremost and ask you just how you do it!
Well thank you for having me, it's a real pleasure to be here. Ask away! ;)
When and where did you decide to begin designing the images that display what your techniques have become known for?
Well I officially started shooting about 4 and half years ago... but some of the composite type photos I started doing 3 months in to those years.
I was an illustrator then working on children's books, as well as being an Art Director for many commercial publications and advertising.
I was simply bored of the mundane work they had out there and figured everything in life could use a little "kick".
What formal training did you have and what became taught by trial and error? Any notable advancement you can recall? Like a time when you sat down to do something and said to yourself “Oh! so that’s how it’s done!”
Truthfully, I haven't had any formal photography training other than learning technical tidbits here and there from my peers. If anything trial and error has taught me on my composite side of the work... was to keep the lighting as consistent as possible, shooting every little detail (props, background) under the same "light", so when used later on... would all fall in to one piece.
This was first realized... on the "Toasty Hott" photo with Amy Dunn (as the Model) when I was shooting Toasts flying out of her Toaster Ear Phones.
The models that you use in your artwork, are they just friends who want to model, or people you contact that fit a certain description for your images? Do you contact them after thinking of a concept or do they contact you wanting to shoot and you design around their looks?
All of these vary. Some Models are friends, acquaintances, business associates, clients.... word of mouth or people I've met through networking.
The majority of the times especially when it's a paid gig, I usually build around what they are about and what they hope to portray. Often times clients simply let me do what I want to do with them based on the "hints" that they give me. I start pitching 3 - 5 ideas... usually narrowing down to 2 or 3 and then I fill in the details from there.
As for concepts based out of my sketchbook... Those are very rare since I'll wait as long as I can to find the right models for the right concept.
And 50% of the time... I just wing it and come up with a concept right there and then.
How long do you spend preparing for a shoot, from concept and design, style/theme, to setting up lights, wardrobe, makeup and finally snapping the pictures? Do you have a team or are you solo in your endeavors?
Prior to a shoot... prep time can vary anywhere from 2-3 hours to a couple of days (usually 2 or 3) if it involves heavy fashion and props.
I have a couple of different people I work closely with. I primarily have three of each hairstylists / makeup artists / wardrobe stylist I often use, one personal assistant / manager, and the occasional studio assistant.
On average, how many images do you usually take per model and theme? Are you the type to spend hours setting everything up and getting it right within a couple of shots, or are you more the type to “play by ear… or eye” and stop when you get what you want?
This varies greatly due to the fact I work with amateurs to pro. But I'd say average 300 - 400 per person/look. On an average I usually give out 1-2 DVD's for the client to take home.
I'm usually the type to push for "more" than what's been bargained for. While I do spend time setting everything up perfecting it as much as I could, and even though I might have what I need already.. I simply push my limits and get down right greedy!
Post production to image output: What’s it like, what steps do you go through and how long does it take?
Usually if the clients ask me to choose (in which case most of them do) I spend the first hour or so selecting and grading the photos through Adobe Bridge or other third party photo management software.
Not only do I go through the models but I check to see which "prop" photos are usable through a process of illumination.
I then start off by color correcting in the Raw files.
Working on basic touchups next after opening up the files.
Cutting them out meticulously (if the model isn't in a location already) and soon after... the props will get cut out too.
I then compile the model, a couple of different backgrounds, the props in to one file and then I start laying out the composition.
Once that's done I add in some effects based off a library I keep... like fire, smoke, rain, etc.
And then I work on the overall shading and highlights. And perhaps even adding additional colors if necessary.
Finally, I adjust the overall color tone of the piece by uniting it with a certain tint of color to set the general mood of the photo. (i.e. Cyan for a cold feel, or Reddish Yellow for a warmer feel)
On an average once piece could take anywhere from 3 hours to a whole day.
What’s the longest time you’ve spent on an entire project and the longest on just a single image.
The longest time on a particular project... about a month. (Only because the clients had to choose) On one image.... a day and a half.
Have you ever passed a person on the street who struck you enough to approach them to model?
Maybe once or twice. I'm actually very shy when it comes to that. haha
What shoot was insanely memorable from something outlandish happening?
When I was shooting 13 girls for fun at this one guy's mansion, they decided to give me a shot of tequila on an empty stomach. Needless to say I got so buzzed I start knocking over stuff like the water fountain!
The other time was when I had to break in to a abandoned small pox hospital in Roosevelt Island. It was over 90 degrees outside while I lugged around a heavy load of lights hiding from the choppers and near by security. Ultimately the model and I got caught but we got away with acting like lost art student tourists. I guess being Japanse and hanging a camera around my neck helped. haha
Since you are inspiring to so many people, including myself, I’d like to know what inspires you. What makes you stop and say “I wish I thought of that.”?
What inspires me stems from many things that are usually "outside" of photography like the movies I watch, the music I listen to or the books I read, the places I visit and the insane people out there who are larger than life.
But if I had to point out one thing... it's love.
As corny as that sounds falling in love with the quality a person has yet maintaining professionalism usually does the trick. Because there's always something special about each and every one of us that you just can't help but want to "bring out".
Has anyone ever stopped you and said "OMG it's Frizzycube?" Do you ever think there's randomly people that recognize you are the man behind the images? Have you ever got any special treatment once someone found out who you were?
Yes! And it's a really weird feeling because you just don't see yourself that way. Time to time I would hear "HEY FRIZZY!" to turn around and not knowing who they are half the time. Other times I would get pissy models who come up to me saying I never wrote them back.
But the most memorable one was an indirect one. A model friend of mine was caught speeding on the highway, on her cell phone, forgetting her license and registration. After a 10 minute dispute between her and the cop... the cop says "Hey... aren't you the girl who shot with FrizzyCube? You can go."
Where did you get your artistic name from and do your friends call you by Frizzycube, do they get the first name basis and do you have any pet names only your nucleus of friends refer to you as.
The name FrizzyCube originally was a screenname for AOL that I had to come up with. I needed something original and quirky that made no sense because often times I find myself pretty random too. Then through out the years it stuck with me... originally as an Illustrator... and then now... as a photographer.
A lot of people usually call me Frizzy. or a play around that name. FreezyCube, Frizzy Nizzle, or my favorite... FrizzyPubes. haha
Model Mayhem#99
www.myspace.com/frizzycube
When I first joined the site ModelMayhem.com, I quickly became familiar with the image enhancing mastermind known as FrizzyCube. Using bold striking colors combined with flashy, yet strategically placed and encompassing graphics, his digital manipulations became instant eye candy that lead to awe and inspiration. Though we randomly and seldom converse only through email, I couldn’t help but to ask him to be one of my first interviewees. Picking at his artistic brain, I knew, was going to be fun!
So FrizzyCube, I'd like to thank you first and foremost and ask you just how you do it!
Well thank you for having me, it's a real pleasure to be here. Ask away! ;)
When and where did you decide to begin designing the images that display what your techniques have become known for?
Well I officially started shooting about 4 and half years ago... but some of the composite type photos I started doing 3 months in to those years.
I was an illustrator then working on children's books, as well as being an Art Director for many commercial publications and advertising.
I was simply bored of the mundane work they had out there and figured everything in life could use a little "kick".
What formal training did you have and what became taught by trial and error? Any notable advancement you can recall? Like a time when you sat down to do something and said to yourself “Oh! so that’s how it’s done!”
Truthfully, I haven't had any formal photography training other than learning technical tidbits here and there from my peers. If anything trial and error has taught me on my composite side of the work... was to keep the lighting as consistent as possible, shooting every little detail (props, background) under the same "light", so when used later on... would all fall in to one piece.
This was first realized... on the "Toasty Hott" photo with Amy Dunn (as the Model) when I was shooting Toasts flying out of her Toaster Ear Phones.
The models that you use in your artwork, are they just friends who want to model, or people you contact that fit a certain description for your images? Do you contact them after thinking of a concept or do they contact you wanting to shoot and you design around their looks?
All of these vary. Some Models are friends, acquaintances, business associates, clients.... word of mouth or people I've met through networking.
The majority of the times especially when it's a paid gig, I usually build around what they are about and what they hope to portray. Often times clients simply let me do what I want to do with them based on the "hints" that they give me. I start pitching 3 - 5 ideas... usually narrowing down to 2 or 3 and then I fill in the details from there.
As for concepts based out of my sketchbook... Those are very rare since I'll wait as long as I can to find the right models for the right concept.
And 50% of the time... I just wing it and come up with a concept right there and then.
How long do you spend preparing for a shoot, from concept and design, style/theme, to setting up lights, wardrobe, makeup and finally snapping the pictures? Do you have a team or are you solo in your endeavors?
Prior to a shoot... prep time can vary anywhere from 2-3 hours to a couple of days (usually 2 or 3) if it involves heavy fashion and props.
I have a couple of different people I work closely with. I primarily have three of each hairstylists / makeup artists / wardrobe stylist I often use, one personal assistant / manager, and the occasional studio assistant.
On average, how many images do you usually take per model and theme? Are you the type to spend hours setting everything up and getting it right within a couple of shots, or are you more the type to “play by ear… or eye” and stop when you get what you want?
This varies greatly due to the fact I work with amateurs to pro. But I'd say average 300 - 400 per person/look. On an average I usually give out 1-2 DVD's for the client to take home.
I'm usually the type to push for "more" than what's been bargained for. While I do spend time setting everything up perfecting it as much as I could, and even though I might have what I need already.. I simply push my limits and get down right greedy!
Post production to image output: What’s it like, what steps do you go through and how long does it take?
Usually if the clients ask me to choose (in which case most of them do) I spend the first hour or so selecting and grading the photos through Adobe Bridge or other third party photo management software.
Not only do I go through the models but I check to see which "prop" photos are usable through a process of illumination.
I then start off by color correcting in the Raw files.
Working on basic touchups next after opening up the files.
Cutting them out meticulously (if the model isn't in a location already) and soon after... the props will get cut out too.
I then compile the model, a couple of different backgrounds, the props in to one file and then I start laying out the composition.
Once that's done I add in some effects based off a library I keep... like fire, smoke, rain, etc.
And then I work on the overall shading and highlights. And perhaps even adding additional colors if necessary.
Finally, I adjust the overall color tone of the piece by uniting it with a certain tint of color to set the general mood of the photo. (i.e. Cyan for a cold feel, or Reddish Yellow for a warmer feel)
On an average once piece could take anywhere from 3 hours to a whole day.
What’s the longest time you’ve spent on an entire project and the longest on just a single image.
The longest time on a particular project... about a month. (Only because the clients had to choose) On one image.... a day and a half.
Have you ever passed a person on the street who struck you enough to approach them to model?
Maybe once or twice. I'm actually very shy when it comes to that. haha
What shoot was insanely memorable from something outlandish happening?
When I was shooting 13 girls for fun at this one guy's mansion, they decided to give me a shot of tequila on an empty stomach. Needless to say I got so buzzed I start knocking over stuff like the water fountain!
The other time was when I had to break in to a abandoned small pox hospital in Roosevelt Island. It was over 90 degrees outside while I lugged around a heavy load of lights hiding from the choppers and near by security. Ultimately the model and I got caught but we got away with acting like lost art student tourists. I guess being Japanse and hanging a camera around my neck helped. haha
Since you are inspiring to so many people, including myself, I’d like to know what inspires you. What makes you stop and say “I wish I thought of that.”?
What inspires me stems from many things that are usually "outside" of photography like the movies I watch, the music I listen to or the books I read, the places I visit and the insane people out there who are larger than life.
But if I had to point out one thing... it's love.
As corny as that sounds falling in love with the quality a person has yet maintaining professionalism usually does the trick. Because there's always something special about each and every one of us that you just can't help but want to "bring out".
Has anyone ever stopped you and said "OMG it's Frizzycube?" Do you ever think there's randomly people that recognize you are the man behind the images? Have you ever got any special treatment once someone found out who you were?
Yes! And it's a really weird feeling because you just don't see yourself that way. Time to time I would hear "HEY FRIZZY!" to turn around and not knowing who they are half the time. Other times I would get pissy models who come up to me saying I never wrote them back.
But the most memorable one was an indirect one. A model friend of mine was caught speeding on the highway, on her cell phone, forgetting her license and registration. After a 10 minute dispute between her and the cop... the cop says "Hey... aren't you the girl who shot with FrizzyCube? You can go."
Where did you get your artistic name from and do your friends call you by Frizzycube, do they get the first name basis and do you have any pet names only your nucleus of friends refer to you as.
The name FrizzyCube originally was a screenname for AOL that I had to come up with. I needed something original and quirky that made no sense because often times I find myself pretty random too. Then through out the years it stuck with me... originally as an Illustrator... and then now... as a photographer.
A lot of people usually call me Frizzy. or a play around that name. FreezyCube, Frizzy Nizzle, or my favorite... FrizzyPubes. haha
Add a Comment
About
Links
VISITORS LEAVE A NOTE
Latest Activity
Want a new default myspace, facebook, model mayhem image but don't have a lot of cash?
NOVEMBER WEEKNIGHT SPECIAL IS ONLY $30 for 1 hour of shooting and 1 professionally retouched EDITORIAL/ FASHION HEADSHOT with a 1 week turnaround time!
Email:...
Want a new default myspace, facebook, model mayhem image but don't have a lot of cash?
NOVEMBER WEEKNIGHT SPECIAL IS ONLY $30 for 1 hour of shooting and 1 professionally retouched EDITORIAL/ FASHION HEADSHOT with a 1 week turnaround time!
Email:...
Nice retouching work. Thanks for sharing.
© 2009 Created by Tarilyn Quinn on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of tq to add comments!
Join this Ning Network