How Did They Do That?! Episode 4

It takes a lot to create a great photo, and sometimes the process seems like a mystery to the casual observer. In each episode of How Did They Do That?!, I interview a photographer about the creative process behind one of his or her recent popular photos. This time, I talk to `suzi9mm about what went into creating Sprained Minds.







Can you tell me some of the technical details about this photo?



It was taken with a Canon 10D and Sigma's suberb 105mm EX macro lens. I seemed to have forgotten the ISO speed at 200, which was completely unnecessary as I used a studio flash with a softbox and that offered plenty of light. Thanks to the flash, I could easily use aperture 11.



What are you trying to say with this photo?



I never felt like it would contain a message of any kind. It's more like a visual blast. I enjoy combining aesthetics and questinable subjects like violence or gruesome things like this. The photo doesn't really make sense, I mean, how would a syringe be filled with blood if it was stuck through a tongue? It wouldn't. The act in itself seems quite useless. Nevertheless I find it amusing and I seem to not be alone.



What kind of preparation went into making this photo?



I think first I applied a light make up foundation on my skin to have a pale skin and have the other things stand out better. I set up the camera on a tripod, the flash was standing behind it. I stood in front of the camera and held a remote switch in the other hand. I then just had to put a fakeblood-filled syringe through the tongue, eh. I have a tongue piercing so I managed this quite easily.



Did you have a purpose in mind, or a goal for this shoot?



Most of all I wanted a good looking, strong visual shot. It’s one of those photos that I wish to just have an effect on the viewer and hopefully please the eye while perhaps confusing the mind with the content. I originally didn't actually plan to have the syringe through the tongue, I was thinking something more like having the syringe next to the face or so...but un-surprisingly, that was boring... I was trying to think of a way to have the syringe closer and closer to my mouth, the more intimate and close-up photos get, the better usually. I then figured I could have it through my tongue. I mostly went for side-shots but, luckily, tested how it would look from straight ahead. I have to admit I didn't at first see that this was clearly the best out of them all.



Did you have any problems or challenges with the shoot?



It was really technically quite easy. The problem with self-portraits is always the cropping, as it’s very hard to place yourself perfectly in front of the lens. But really, the hardest part was to hold my tongue out, stick in a syringe, and keep pressing the fake blood out while taking shots at the same time. As usual, it took something like 50 or 70 shots to get it right. Thankfully the unavoidable drool didn't ruin the shot.







Sprained Minds is an iconic image. It rocketed to the top of the list of popular photos on deviantART and has stayed there for years. It's an image that, regardless of whether or not you like it, grabs you by the eyeballs and doesn't let you go.



Thanks `suzi9mm for sharing some insight into your creative process. Until next time, ^superkev out!