Surrealism

The photograph the unconscious would take if it had a camera

Surrealism aesthetic photography reference
Referencesurrealism
Shoot Brief · Call Sheet TC 00:00:00:00
AestheticSurrealism
Roll038
Status0 / 5 Shot
LightShadowless, directionless light for the un
WardrobeFormal dress in inappropriate contexts, or

Shot list

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FR·01A
Portrait of subject with an impossible or unexpected object held or worn as if entirely normal
FR·02A
Wide shot in a familiar setting kitchen, office, park with one element that cannot exist there
FR·03A
Double exposure portrait merging the subject's face with a landscape, both given equal reality
FR·04A
Carefully composited in-camera shot of subject interacting with an oversized or miniaturized prop
FR·05A
Environmental portrait in a mundane space lit with a dreamlike quality that makes the real feel unreal
Roll
00 / 05
⌁ LightingShadowless, directionless light for the uncanny or conversely, a hyper-real single source that makes the impossible scene feel perfectly documented

shadowless, directionless light for the un

⌁ WardrobeFormal dress in inappropriate contexts, or everyday clothing combined with a single impossible element (hat full of water, jacket made of flowers, shoes going the wrong direction)

formal dress in inappropriate contexts

Director noteCommit fully to the realism of the impossible element use in-camera practical effects before reaching for compositing, because physical objects behave like physical objects and digital additions do not

Locations

Empty swimming poolSuburban kitchen at 3amPerfectly preserved mid-century living roomOpen road with no horizon

Explore the aesthetic

Style guide
Color palette

About this brief

How do I photograph the Surrealism aesthetic?
The photograph the unconscious would take if it had a camera. Commit fully to the realism of the impossible element use in-camera practical effects before reaching for compositing, because physical objects behave like physical objects and digital additions do not
What shots should I get for a Surrealism photo shoot?
Capture: Portrait of subject with an impossible or unexpected object held or worn as if entirely normal; Wide shot in a familiar setting kitchen, office, park with one element that cannot exist there; Double exposure portrait merging the subject's face with a landscape, both given equal reality; Carefully composited in-camera shot of subject interacting with an oversized or miniaturized prop; Environmental portrait in a mundane space lit with a dreamlike quality that makes the real feel unreal.
What lighting works for Surrealism photography?
Shadowless, directionless light for the uncanny or conversely, a hyper-real single source that makes the impossible scene feel perfectly documented
Where should I shoot Surrealism photography?
Good locations include: Empty swimming pool, Suburban kitchen at 3am, Perfectly preserved mid-century living room, Open road with no horizon.
What wardrobe works for Surrealism photography?
Formal dress in inappropriate contexts, or everyday clothing combined with a single impossible element (hat full of water, jacket made of flowers, shoes going the wrong direction)

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