High Concept Hero
Opening Week #1 - High Concept Hero Image
Happy New Year and Welcome to This Week's Edition of The Carty Method Magazine!
Happy New Year! We’re thrilled to kick off another exciting year of The Carty Method Magazine with a special challenge for our talented photographers.
This week, we challenged photographers to create a High Concept Hero Image within their niche. The results are nothing short of inspiring!
Get ready to explore some stunning High Concept Hero Photography from this week’s Photo of the Week winners.
Let’s dive in!
Assignment Brief
CARTY gives a tight brief at the end of his photo review shows which tells us shooters what we have to shoot exactly for the following weeks review.
Here is this assignment exactly how he shares it.
“This weeks Assignment: Make a High Concept Hero Image ”.
"Create a visually striking, high-concept image that combines two distinct elements in your niche.
People shooters can merge two aspects of a person’s story (e.g., work vs. personal life),
Places shooters can integrate two contrasting environments (e.g., urban vs. rural),
Things shooters can combine different uses of a product or show it interacting with its environment in a creative, unexpected way."
Let’s unleash our imaginations and elevate our skills as we head into a new exciting year.
Marcos Novaes
What inspired the concept behind your High-Concept Hero Image, and how did you decide on the two distinct elements to combine in your niche?
Movie villains are always fascinating, especially when you consider the techniques used by cinematographers and makeup artists to bring them to life.
My concept shoot was inspired by these two elements: the creature (the villain) and the creator (the artists behind the magic).
My idea was to reinterpret two classic movie villains, separated by decades, in a fresh, creative way.
They are, respectively Alex (1972 Clockwork Orange) and the Joker (2008 The Dark Knight).
What story or message were you aiming to convey through your image, and how do you hope it resonates with your audience?
The two villains are deeply disturbed individuals who adopt personas as a way to express their ideas against societal norms.
The makeup was designed to symbolize the 'breaking' of the masks we often feel forced to wear.
The dark lighting and shadowy atmosphere further emphasize this eerie, sinister vibe.
What was the most challenging aspect of this assignment, whether technical, creative, or conceptual, and how did you overcome it?
Both the technical and creative aspects of work like this are incredibly challenging.
What I’ve learned is that there’s no such thing as the perfect shot unless you’re willing to take risks, try again, and fail a few more times until you get it right.
You don’t shoot to get it—you shoot UNTIL you get it.
What specific techniques or tools did you use to ensure your image stood out as a "hero" in your niche?
I think the drama of the lighting and the makeup really stole the show in this image.
Oh, and the hat, of course—it’s practically a character on its own here!
What was the most rewarding part of working on this assignment, and what did you learn about your craft or yourself through this process?
The best reward was turning an image that only existed in my mind into a real photograph.
There's no doubt that's incredibly satisfying.
Another thing that fuels me is embracing the challenge itself—I love challenges.
They always push me to move toward the unpredictable, and I absolutely thrive on that.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: clicksbymarco
Website: marconovaes.ca
Michael Stimatze
What inspired the concept behind your High-Concept Hero Image, and how did you decide on the two distinct elements to combine in your niche?
The idea came from a gift I sent I sent as a Secret Santa to a co-worker.
He is into music and I found a lamp made of pipe fittings and an old microphone.
I was also inspired by the "Elf on a Shelf" photos we see all over the socials during this time of year.
The pipe man inspired the idea to create a series of photos using these PVC Guys in various situations.
This was the first in that series.
What story or message were you aiming to convey through your image, and how do you hope it resonates with your audience?
The PVC Guys are a sort of shop elf like we know from old myths.
They come into the shop at night and build useful (hopefully) items for the shop owner.
I think they can also be mischievous - we will just have to wait and see what happens.
What was the most challenging aspect of this assignment, whether technical, creative, or conceptual, and how did you overcome it?
Building the scene was the most challenging aspect.
This took several hours to set up.
Figuring out the measurements for proportions took a bit.
Sanding and painting took some time.
There was a lot of trail and error.
What specific techniques or tools did you use to ensure your image stood out as a "hero" in your niche?
The only thing that specifically stands out as hero in this photo is the band logo.
I made sure that the only branding that is seen is on the tape measure and pencil.
What was the most rewarding part of working on this assignment, and what did you learn about your craft or yourself through this process?
The reward is always seeing the finished product translate from the idea in my head to the reality of the photo.
Carty giving a positive review and insightful feedback is also a primary reward for making these photos.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: mestimatze
Facebook: Mike Stimatze
Best In Show
Romeo Fowler
What inspired the concept behind your High-Concept Hero Image, and how did you decide on the two distinct elements to combine in your niche?
I kinda got the idea from a movie poster of the character busting through the wall and then I challenge my self to create something of my own.
What story or message were you aiming to convey through your image, and how do you hope it resonates with your audience?
The message I was aiming to convey is Hoka running shoe and the face in the photo is the owner of the shoe, busting through the all the setbacks and disappointment and strongholds of life!
What was the most challenging aspect of this assignment, whether technical, creative, or conceptual, and how did you overcome it?
The the challenge was getting the Hoka straight in the frame.
The fix was to move the model to using the right hand to hold the shoe!
What specific techniques or tools did you use to ensure your image stood out as a "hero" in your niche?
One single light, and the back drop to show the face and HoKa busting through!
What was the most rewarding part of working on this assignment, and what did you learn about your craft or yourself through this process?
The most rewarding was how it came together!
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: romeofowler
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Carty is a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.
His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.
👉🏾 Mindset Shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾
Learn more about him and see his work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com
Join his photographer’s community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community
Work with Him 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com
The Carty Method Instagram @TheCartyMethod