Setting the Scene
The family was relocating, and this image was meant to capture a memory of their family home and dad's vehicle that they could take with them as a lasting memory.
Architecture aficionados might recognize the house design, it's by Joseph Eichler. His homes were built primarily in California, with the largest concentration in the San Francisco Bay Area and developments in Southern California, Sacramento and Palm Springs. An Eichler home has a mid-century modern design known for integrating nature with indoor and outdoor living. A system of vertical posts and horizontal beams replaced load-bearing walls allowing open floor plans, large glass walls, skylights, and atriums, all designed with a simple, functional aesthetic and modern style for mass-market appeal [More details].
Then there's the car - a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 - a high-performance, mid-engine sports car with track-focused dynamics. It is a highly praised vehicle, often considered the benchmark for enthusiast drivers. The 718 Cayman GT4 is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.
This vehicle was kept for the track, and lived under the porch. In creating the composition we wanted to feature the lines of the house and welcoming front door, and take advantage of the sloping driveway to get a higher view of the car. We set the car position before twilight.
Waiting for the Light
Once the car was in position we waited for the sky, and were treated to some beautiful color tones of cyan, magenta and pink. The colors of the sky also reflected on the hood and windshield of the car, helping to tie the two elements together. You never know when the colors will be their peak. Then we waited for the sky to darken enough to start the light painting part.
Painting Light in the Dark
Porsche is well know for the beautiful lines on their vehicles and the GT4 has muscular haunches, side vents, a sloping hood and not a straight line in sight.
Multiple passes are made with the light wand over the body creating images with highlights and shading. Then the other details were light painted, the interior, the wheels, headlights and eventually the house itself. We left the house lights on so the yellow gave the home a warmer welcoming feel that the owners have enjoyed.
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.
