I don’t remember how I got the idea for this photograph. But once I did, I had to figure out how to execute it. It turned out to be one of the most technically difficult photographs I’ve made; in fact, this image was my second attempt. The first problem was figuring out how to light the footprints without making other marks all over the sand. The solution, which seemed obvious once I thought of it, was to make an exposure at dusk, keep the camera locked on a tripod, and then open up the shutter again when it was completely dark. In total darkness I could walk around as much as I wanted while lighting the footprints, but my new footprints wouldn’t show up on film.
This part worked fine on my first attempt, but the glowing part of footprints looked like shapeless blobs. On my second attempt (this one), I made a cardboard cutout in the shape of a footprint, then attached this to the front of my flashlight. Again, I made an exposure of the dune and footprints at dusk, then reopened the shutter when it was completely dark. I then lit each of the right-foot prints for 17 seconds each, closed the shutter, flipped the cardboard cutout around, opened the shutter again, and lit each of the left-foot prints for 17 seconds each. Simple, right?
Image #140. Signed edition of 150 total, including all sizes and print processes. The finished prints are signed, numbered, and matted on bright white archival mat board.
16x20 (mat size 22x28): $450
20x24 (mat size 28x32): $600
24x30 (mat size 32x40): $900
30x40 (mat size 40x48): $1200
Purchasing Information
For more information about fine-art prints, corporate sales, or stock photography licensing, contact Michael Frye directly: michael@michaelfrye.com; 209-742-6857.