Erin McConnell's Intergalactic LomoChrome Turquoise Shots

Based in Metro-Detroit, Michigan, Erin McConnell has been working in the field of photography since 2007, specifically focusing on editorial and commercial portraiture.

After experiencing burnout from her professional work, Erin was motivated to create a fine arts focused project inspired by retro-futurism. Diving head on into the extraterrestrial theme, she shared some out-of-this-world shots from the larger series of photographs, appropriately taken with the color-shifting LomoChrome Turquoise 35mm film.

Hi Erin, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself and your work?

Hello, it's truly an honor! My name is Erin, and I have been a professional portrait photographer for the last 16 years. I actively travel for my work, but I'm currently based in Metro Detroit.

How did you initially get started with analogue photography?

My career is primarily based within the realm of digital photography, but I have had a love affair with film for most of my life. Like many of us, my first real exposure to photography was through film, specifically in a darkroom lesson during high school. And it wasn't even entirely an analogue class, but a journalism class. I had a dream of becoming a writer, so signing myself up for this elective was a no-brainer. But to my surprise, I had a much larger fascination with the small photography study during that semester than any of the writing I did. It's where I learned that storytelling can very much be a visual practice, and not just a written one.

What was your first impression of the LomoChrome Turquoise film?

Weird film stocks have always been what I gravitate towards. So, when I saw that Lomography had made LomoChrome Turquoise, I knew I had to pick up a roll. I was already such a big fan of LomoChrome Purple, so I was anxious to try out its counterpart. I shot my first Turquoise roll during a weekend trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Though I saw examples online of what this roll could accomplish, I was still blown away by the results.

What was the concept of your recent shoot using the experimental film stock?

My concept is inspired by the retro-futurism movement of the 1960s. Color theory is incredibly important in my body of work, so I stayed true to the hues of the roll and kept my palette as straightforward as possible.

Why did you choose to use LomoChrome Turquoise for this particular series? How did it compliment your vision?

This year, I decided to start an alien portrait passion project. I needed something to combat the burnout I was experiencing from being a full-time photographer, and science fiction is a genre that not only raised me but also presented endless possibilities. I was 12 sets deep into this project when it dawned on me that I had yet to shoot something on film. And I knew I couldn't just use a roll of Portra 400 and call it good. It had to be LomoChrome Turquoise! The #nofilter effect allowed me to have my radiant model Rachel look otherworldly without forcing her to wear blue body paint from head to toe.

Do you have a favorite shot taken with LomoChrome Turquoise?

This close-up portrait is probably my favorite:

And I also love this shot that I did with my first roll during the summer:

Any tips or tricks for shooting LomoChrome film in the studio setting?

I think the best way to shoot LomoChrome film in a studio setting, or any film for that matter, is to use all manual settings. The best (and most precise) exposure will give you the most vibrant results. I also think much of the success of this shoot came from using constant lighting rather than strobes. I could see exactly what my final product would be by just looking into the viewfinder, eliminating the guesswork and allowing more space to enjoy the process.

What was the process of planning the shoot in regards to color swatching, prop hunting, etc.?

I had a blast prepping for this shoot. I spent about a month getting everything I needed, including wardrobe, her beehive wig, the accessories, and the vintage blow dryer we used as a ray gun. I think my favorite part was painting the rocket ship birdhouse that she's holding in one of the shots.

I clipped off a corner of the seamless backdrops that I acquired for the shoot and used them to find the perfect shades of orange and blue at the craft store.

Do you have any upcoming projects or shoots that you can share with our community?

My alien project is about to conclude; I plan on creating a book out of the images and hosting an event next summer in Detroit (around the anniversary of the Roswell Crash of 1947) to celebrate the work I've created. I will also invite other creators in my community to sell and showcase their own sci-fi creations. It will be a first for me, and I can't wait!

If you would like to stay connected with me, I'm very active on Instagram and Threads.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Lomography has been such a big part of my photography journey, so this interview is very special for me. Thank you again for having me!

If you're interested in keeping up with Erin and her work, make sure to check out her Instagram, Threads, and website.

eloffreno tarafından, 2023-12-23 tarihinde ve #donanım #insanlar #experimental #alien #portraiture #extraterrestrial #color-shifting başlığında yazıldı.