This image has been depicting in my mind for weeks. Whenever I close my eyes, I can’t shake off the image of a scrawny boy walking on cones. He was sad, hopeless, tired, and lonely……..
Anyway, here is the set-up of the shot.

1 – Preparations began by making the cones to simulate the warheads. I must have been crazy when I thought of using metals to create them. However, I finally settled with old catalogs from my suppliers.

2 – The next step was to spray paint them. Surprisingly, this was the hardest and most challenging aspect of the entire setup. I have applied no less than 3 layers on them but still didn’t get satisfactory result. I even sent the cones to the professional, but they shook their heads in disbelief when they discovered what I wanted to do with the cones. They don’t have the time for me. At last, an old timer advised me: “You have to spray a different color layer before you spray gray, that would have covered them very well. And there is another pro who even lent me his workshop and used his tools. However, I abandoned the idea after I waited for at least 2 hours for the some cones to dry.

3 – I was fortunate enough to have Kadir to make the cones and spray the paints 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 by his act. Some even asked “Is it X’mas already?” or “What do you want to do with them?” Took him no less than 16 hours to complete all the 200 cones.

4 – Finally, I found the time to execute the shot on the weekend. I put a board measuring 5″ x3 on 4 stools and covered the board with black velvet. I poured the cones in an arranged them arbitrary.

5 – Then came the next challenging task. I have to find my bony model. When I called my neighbor’s kids, they were so glad and happy that they could take part. Obviously they were happy and impressed by my last shot Rematch. I told him about my idea as I was painting his legs. He was moved by the concept.

6 – I painted the boy legs with white poster color. Then I ask him to climb on a cross-bar just above the cones. The cross-bar was supported by two tall stools which were extended using a few thick books.

7 – After numerous attempts showing him how I wanted him to pose and about 2 hours and 1 roll of film later, this shot came out fine.