Frolicking on the Precipice

This image had been forming in my mind for weeks. Whenever I closed my eyes, I could not shake off the image of a scrawny boy walking on cones. He was sad, hopeless, tired, and lonely.

Anyway, here is the setup of the shot.

1 - Preparations began by making the cones to simulate warheads. I must have been crazy when I thought of using metal to create them. However, I finally settled on old catalogues from my suppliers.

2 - The next step was to spray-paint them. Surprisingly, this was the hardest and most challenging part of the entire setup. I applied no fewer than three layers, but still did not get a satisfactory result. I even sent the cones to professionals, but they shook their heads in disbelief when they discovered what I wanted to do with them. They did not have time for me. At last, an old-timer advised me: "You have to spray a different colour layer before you spray grey. That will cover them very well." Another professional even lent me his workshop and tools. However, I abandoned the idea after waiting at least two hours for some of the cones to dry.

3 - I was fortunate to have Kadir make the cones and spray-paint them for me. Whenever there were no clients, he would walk out of the office and do it at the five-foot way. Naturally, many passers-by were curious. Some even asked, "Is it Christmas already?" or "What do you want to do with them?" It took him no fewer than 16 hours to complete all 200 cones.

4 - Finally, I found time to execute the shot over the weekend. I put a board measuring 5' x 3' on four stools and covered it with black velvet. I poured the cones onto it and arranged them arbitrarily.

“"Is it Christmas already?"”

5 - Then came the next challenging task. I had to find my bony model. When I called my neighbour's kids, they were very happy that they could take part. Obviously, they were still happy and impressed by my last shot, Rematch. I told him about my idea while I was painting his legs. He was moved by the concept.

6 - I painted the boy's legs with white poster colour. Then I asked him to climb onto a crossbar just above the cones. The crossbar was supported by two tall stools, which were extended using a few thick books.

7 - After many attempts at showing him how I wanted him to pose, and after about two hours and one roll of film, this shot came out fine.