top of page
A theatrical and creative artwork of a vintage toy US army helicopter flying over chicago and lake michigan by Xavier Nuez

Chopper

Vintage Toy series

 

"Chopper" is a vintage children's toy, built in the early 1960s. My toy photo collection is a sub-set of the light painting series. These vintage toys have so much built in drama and history, which is perfect since I love creating theatrical fictions and epic dramas thru my photographs.


I shoot these in my studio where I usually build little sets for them (some of the sets are a partial, or entirely digital setting) and then I light them in a light painting style, through long exposures.


The Chopper toy was modeled after the Bell R-12 (later redesignated H-12), an American 1940s military utility helicopter built by the Bell Helicopter company. Two prototypes were built but it never went into production.

 

Antique Toy World magazine did a cover story on my toy photos

 

"In none of his photos does Nuez exploit the obvious" 

Montreal Gazette

 

"Seductive ... Nuez's photos do not leave one indifferent"

Ciel Variable - Contemporary Photography magazine

 

Light Paintings series

 

I sometimes fantasize that with the snap of a finger, I can escape reality ... in a moment, be transported to a dream world free of life's demands, a child's playground where magic exists and all is right with the world.My Light Paintings are that portal. Through them I can transcend reality and escape into these beautiful, vibrant yet peaceful realms.

 

~~~~

 

Although there is some digital manipulation in this series, the unusual lighting and surreal quality in the Light Painting series is achieved by using colored lights during long exposures. They are not digital effects.

From $59.00Sale Price

Search nuez.com

Questions?

Xavier Nuez |  Light Painting Photography

319 N. Albany Ave, Studio 1N5

Chicago, IL 60612

510-648-6810

© Xavier Nuez, 2026

bottom of page