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Bodyscapes: Black light body painting that beautifully glows in the dark

American photographer and artist John Poppleton had always been fascinated by black lights, the beauty of the human body, the world around him and the ability to create and express himself through art. But it wasn't until boredom set in, after being stuck with the same wedding and portrait photography for more than 20 years, that he decided to break boundaries and create a new body of work entitled Black Light Bodyscapes.

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A silhouetted human form painted with UV fluorescent paint glows with a sunset landscape of palm trees reflected in water beneath a purple and orange sky

Using black lights and UV body painting, John is able to create images that merge art and photography that celebrate nature and the human form. He explains: "I’ve always been in awe and wonder of the beauty found in nature. Inspired by the colours and textures found in sunsets. The excitement and anticipation of the next lightning strike with its thunderous heart pounding report. Majestic waterfalls to sublime mountain skylines with their reflections in the still lakes found beneath them. From the eerie allurement of the Northern Lights to the cosmic artistry seen throughout the universe.

"Black Light Bodyscapes combines the beauty of the female form with the splendour of God’s creations found in this world and worlds beyond. Using temporary fluorescent materials the scenes are painted directly on the skin and photographed in modest poses to create a piece of art that is as unique as you are."

John was born and raised in the suburbs of Sacramento, California. He was introduced to photography during his junior year of high school in 1988. He pursued all areas of photography very passionately as a hobby until becoming a professional portrait photographer in 1993, after several friends convinced him to photograph their weddings.

Via BoredPanda

Figure viewed from behind with long flowing hair, body painted with glowing blue, purple and red UV paint resembling a cosmic galaxy scene against black background
Model with UV body paint glowing in vibrant blue and orange, depicting a sunset landscape with mountains and water reflected across the form against a black background
Person viewed from behind with UV body paint depicting a starry night sky, a glowing blue planet on the chest and an orange sun with black centre on the abdomen against black background
UV body painting depicts a woman's silhouette containing a cosmic landscape with glowing moon, stars, orange horizon and reflections against a black background
Figure with blonde hair viewed from behind, back painted with glowing purple and white lightning bolts against a dark blue and purple abstract background
Glowing blue UV body painting on human form depicts a nighttime landscape with mountains, forest, moon and still water
Person viewed from behind with UV body paint depicting a tropical sunset scene with palm trees, lightning and water, glowing blue and orange against black background
A person's body painted with UV fluorescent paint glows with orange, purple and blue hues depicting a sunset landscape with silhouetted trees and mountains against a black background
Person sitting with back to camera, body painted with UV fluorescent landscape featuring glowing sunset, palm trees and water under blue and purple black light
Woman viewed from behind with long hair and UV body paint depicting a glowing sunset landscape with trees and water under black light
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