Setting the Scene


During a trip with a friend to the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada to see the annual Balls Experimental Rocket Launch event we met Mad Max  -  a grandfather of Burning Man -  driving his custom roadster.


It's so full of character we asked if we could Light Paint it in the evening. Max was enthusiastic and gave us directions to find him on the edge of the playa later on. We found his camp an hour before sunset and I had him position the roadster for a composition highlighting the vehicle while including the playa and the environment surrounding us. While we waited for the sun to go down Max fed us tacos and beer.

An off-road custom roadster with huge wheels on the playa at Black Rock Desert in Nevada
Mad Max, the owner of a custom roadster poses with his vehicle on the playa at Black Rock Desert, Nevada

Waiting for the Light


Once the car was in position we waited for the light in the sky, which gave us some sunset tones of gold and red to work with. Today's camera sensors are very effective and can capture a wide range of colors, highlights and shadows. Then we waited for the sky to darken enough to start the light painting part.

The Mad Max roadster waits in the sunset before a light painting session to create a fine art wall portrait by John Gayler Photography

Capturing all the Details


Max's roadster is an intricate subject, from the chassis and tires, fuel tanks, supplies, luggage carriers, stickers, emergency gear, tow chains, lights, antennas, even custom embroidered seats. It took a lot of exposures to make sure all the details were properly captured and lighted ready to blend together.

A single frame from a John Gayler light painting series of a custom off-road roadster accentuates details of the bodywork and accessories

The Build


After the lightpainting passes were completed we packed up and said goodbye. Now it was time for the build. The individual layers are opened on the computer, examined, and selected for carefully layering together, blending into the finished product.


There is skill and judgment combined with a lot of attention to detail, and an artful vision in creating the finished image, suitable to be printed and hung on the wall.

Mad Max on the Playa at Black Rock Desert 3/4 view with a colorful sunset. A light painting for a fine art wall portrait by John Gayler

The Black Rock Desert has a beautifully dark sky, and Max was willing to postpone his bonfire barbecue, so we took a second composition showcasing the details of the rear engine and storage with a wonderful starry sky.


As a thank-you surprise I arranged for a 24x16" metal print to be hand delivered to Max at the next Burning Man.

Mad Max on the Playa at Black Rock Desert rear view with a starry sky. A light painting for a fine art wall portrait by John Gayler