UPDATE: Help us go solar!  We've met our goal! This goal covers all the rental equipment we need. However, all of this gear needs to be recharged.  Our only option right now is a small gas generator or my car.  Not the best options considering recharging times.  We've found a system that is small and should handle our needs for this year, and it is expandable.  Keep the support coming -- and we'll see you on the playa!

In 2010 I tried to come up with a way to photograph the citizens of Burning Man's Black Rock City in a way that hadn't been done before. I'm amazed at how such a desolate landscape becomes the most energetic and creative place on the planet every year, and I wanted to not only show that energy and creativity, but be a part of it.

I rented Profoto studio lights and brought my medium format digital camera.  I strapped the lights, with 3-foot softboxes on them, to my shoulders, and hooked each up to a 1200 w/s power pack and created the images you see in the video above and on this page. In a way, this project is 1/2 photography and 1/2 performance.  But the visual/performance aspect of it is, to my mind, what makes it work.

The project received a lot of press, from mainstream photography magazines to indie burner culture blogs, and Burning Man HQ became more interested in it this year after seeing the work. While I'm still considered "media," they are helping me approach this work as an artistic endeavor.  I will have access to people and things that I didn't easily have last year.

Our project goal for this year was originally much bigger and included 3 new "light suits" for 3 assistants, as well as some wheels to help us get around and a full-on solar-powered makeshift production van to edit nightly.  However, the economic state of the world right now seems to be dictating for us to scale back.  So I'm going back with a similar rig, but with a few new tricks up my sleeve to outdo last year's project.  I'll definitely be implementing new lighting styles and more creativity.

Your support of this project is greatly appreciated! 

• 70%  or more of the funds will go toward renting newer/lighter lighting equipment and medium format capture for 10 days.
  
• 15% will go toward reward fulfillment -- postcards, prints, etc.
• 5% will go toward cleaning expenses to restore the gear to working order when complete.
  
• Approx 10% goes to fees associated with kickstarter and amazon payments.

The money we are asking for here does not cover all of the expenses associated with this project, but it is the best compromise we can make.  If we can surpass this goal, it will lessen the burden and allow us to experiment a bit more.

Thank you for your support!

Backer Rewards

Postcard Pack!  A package of beautifully-printed 5x7 postcards featuring images from the 2010 Human Light Suit project mailed to your door!

Mad Mickey Shirts!  Available in many colors and styles for men, women and even kids - my favorite is the maternity shirt!  T-shirts are organic cotton, manufactured by American Apparel.  Mad Mickey is a photograph created by Eric Schwabel and makeup artist Trefor Proud, and he was our mascot for 2010's project!

Shooting Male Limited Edition - Available in one of three covers of your choice! Each cover is limited to 150 copies, signed, and includes a limited edition 8x10 print featuring the cover model!

Set of Two Bound Portfolios - Two bound portfolios of photographs (printed on traditional, silver-halide photo paper) assembled by hand, limited to as many as are requested through kickstarter. #1 is from the 2010 project and will arrive early September, #2 will be from this year's project and will be delivered to your door as soon as it's shot, edited and assembled!  2010 portfolio shown below!

Eric Schwabel strapped in to the Human Light Suit (or is the Human Light Suit strapped in to Eric Schwabel?) in 2011.  Photo by Sidney Erthal (who was also one of the subjects!  Thanks Sidney!)