Inspired by his love for all things sci-fi, Jakkarin Moolmanus has a knack for creating dark, cyberpunk-themed images that give his viewers a glimpse into the future. Jakkarin, who goes by the handle of Jkrnn (@jkrnn), typically incorporates a lot of contemporary elements including cityscapes, bridges, neon lights and urban fashion. Through an expansive range of shooting techniques, Jakkarin's work carries distinctly grandiose and out-of-this-world sensibilities.

For his Creative Portrait project, he explored the use of dark atmospheres and laser lights to probe into the postmodern visual experience. "What I like most about the cyberpunk theme is its awe and peculiarity that takes viewers away from the real world and into another different plane of existence entirely. This is what I hope to portray through my works," he said. We connected with Jakkarin to find out his creative direction in bringing his futuristic worldview to life through his portraits.

No time machines, just the right setup

Jakkarin's familiarity with the subject allowed him to have a shorter time in preparing his scenes. "One of the perks of being a huge cyberpunk fan is that I had an idea of what the model should look like, what clothes to wear, and how to pose. From there, it was simply a matter of finding the right location and equipment for the photoshoot," he said.

In terms of shooting locations, Jakkarin chose an abandoned warehouse as it emphasised the decaying qualities that are prominent in cyberpunk. "For me, the warehouse helped to convey the bleak and desolate atmosphere which was often present in cyberpunk media. It also helps that there are no distractions which might otherwise ruin a perfectly good shot," he said.

Lasers were another key aspect in colouring the scene. "Watching the movie 'Ghost In The Shell', which featured a female cyborg in a dystopian future, gave me the idea to use dark blue and red for my portraits. For this reason, I used laser projectors that were often used for surveying or construction work. In each scene, I would often re-position the equipment so that they feel distinct from one another. I also added the use of LED tubes and smoke generators to complement the lasers and give the portraits an air of mystery," said Jakkarin.

The Alpha 7 IV was his camera of choice as it gave him the freedom to choose between various creative look presets for the desired visual effect. "I used the VV2 setting which enhanced both the light effects and the dark contrasts for a sci-fi appearance," Jakkarin said.

Lighting up the joint

One of the main challenges Jakkarin faced during the photo shoot was ensuring that the lasers do not become a safety hazard for both him and the model. "This was my first time using lasers for my photography project, so I needed to be extra cautious to avoid any serious damage. During the pre-shooting stages, I would take a longer time in determining where best to position each projector so that they are only reflecting the model's face and upper torso. As an additional measure, I would also take test shots to see if they align with the initial planning as well as to find new angles to portray the subject better," he said.

Besides that, Jakkarin also needed to balance the light elements to get the right moods. "I used two LED tubes as key and rim lights to enhance the cyberpunk theme. Another two were positioned behind the model to make her stand out from the dark background. In some scenes, I purposely removed the key light to make the lasers more intense," he said.

For Jakkarin, inspiration can serve as a compass that can guide photographers in capturing the world through their eyes. "My advice for beginner photographers is to use their favourite food, movies, music or hobbies as their starting point. This can motivate them to portray them genuinely while allowing them to hone their skills. The more time they spend learning the craft, the better they can capture other subjects," he said.