Natsumi Hayashi: Levitating Portraits

The photos shown here present a model positioned in mid-air "levitating". The model is shot alone in an isolated area or in areas crowded with people. Natsumi Hayashi's recognizable and iconic style of levitating portraits is taken precisely and carefully. Ensuring the subject is positioned in the frame in a desirable manner, Hayashi also displays Japanese vibrant culture through the lavishing dainty dress attire of the female model.

Observe closely at the girl in the pictures. In every picture, the subject is the same girl; the model is the artist. Natsumi, who mainly photographs levitating self-portraits, resides in Tokyo where she shoots her pictures in the settings of the city and the surrounding rural areas. With her professional Canon EOS 5D Mk SLR and large lenses, Natsumi will target a composition and focus the camera manually. Then she sets the self-timer and runs to her position. She’ll watch the camera’s blinking red LED count down ten seconds, and then she’ll proceed to jump. This process will repeat itself until she is satisfied with her product. In this circumstance, Natsumi jumps several to a dozen times just for one shot. The work effort seems to be the jumping instead of the camera shots itself.

In a few cases, some more complex equipment is used to obtain a shot at a distance or to obtain a shot with a 3D or depth effect.

The effects of these photos are mesmerizing, and they have an unreal sense of breaking the laws of physics.  The shots of the model seemingly jumping spontaneously serve a purpose of tricking the eyes and mind. At first glance, the pictures evoke an iconoclastic shot of a Japanese girl’s life levitating through daily activities. Observe again and notice that the pictures of the beautiful model and inviting settings are splurged with effervescence. Natsumi in these photos can be related to a real-life anime character who is spirited and energetic. Her vibrant attire, and voluptuous and sprightly form in the pictures effuse a dashing and active quality in these photos. The photos almost suggest that a life in mid-air levitation may be simpler and more fun.