SUPERCHROMATIC SPECTROSYNTHESIS 1986 It took longer than any other photograph to create. 407 hours of actual work Created from May to October 1986 21 lights 76 action exposure sequence (q.v.) Displays unprecedented creative innovation and technical virtuosity in the medium of Photography The idea was conceived on 18th Jan 1979 The entire image is silver and white. All colour was introduced by the lighting. Created at the artist's studio in Cricklewood, London Elliott moved to Belsize Park during its creation, maintaining his former studio 3 months to complete the piece. The picture was about what Elliott describes as 'the spiritual glow of light'. Elliott created the entire image himself without assistance Unlike Metasphere, the creation is well documented There were 165 test exposures on film Additionally, Elliott made 40 Polaroids The image predates Photoshop It is the world's first photographic light sculpture Elliott adapted his lens for greater depth of field People often miss the barely perceptible sentinel-like faces The pink surroundings to the face were illuminated with staggering precision using a spotlight During the final shoot Elliott smashed the sculpture to pieces in frustration At the time Elliott said it was a miracle he pulled it off and he would never attempt anything similar 300 hours into the shoot everything was still in chaos It was Elliott's last 'symphony for the camera' 'The Inevitability Of Circumstance' was the penultimate, but was dated on completion in 1987. Superchromatic is creatively and technically ground breaking The Cibachrome prints took 3 days to print It was limited to a unique world edition of 10 originals It was hand printed by Elliott in the Belsize Park Darkstudio It has already sold for £15,000 It was shot on a 6 x 4.5 cm film camera It was captured on Fujichrome film. Elliott used a pale blue filter on the lens to 'electrify' the colours. Certain elements of the piece revolve The image is unretouched.