Q: So what is this exactly?

A: The Last Spartans is a photographic portrait project. I'm aiming to photograph fans and players of Halo 3. I'll be doing this in two steps: 1. Taking portraits of the players in their everyday casual wear, and 2. Taking portraits of Halo 3 players during in-game Halo 3 matches.


Q: How do you take my picture in Halo 3?

A: Bungie Studios put in a "Theatre" mode in Halo 3 wherein you can go back to recently played games and rewatch them in their entirety. You may also free-roam around the game and create any viewing option and angle you like. You can also take high rez screen-grabs while free-roaming. It is with this option that I will be capturing the in-game portraits of players in their Halo 3 armor.


Q: Neat. So what are you looking for specifically?

A: I'm looking for hardcore Halo 3 fans in the surrounding states (Mass, NH, Vermont, etc) who will be willing to be part of this project.


Q: What do I have to do?

A: Be willing to arrange a time to come to my photography studio in Nashua, New Hampshire and let me take your portrait. THEN, meet me online in Halo 3 in a custom game so I can compose some areas where I will be taking your in-game portrait. And thats it.


Q: How long will this take?

A: About 30-45 minutes to be photographed at my studio, and then probably another hour or less during an in-game Halo 3 custom game. The custom in-game stuff will take place while you are in the comfort of your own home and online with Xbox LIVE.


Q: What are you going to do with the images after you take them?

A: I'll do some light editing in photoshop as I would do with some of my other portraits, and after I get the in-game shot I'll compose that and do some light photoshop work as well to make a diptych of the portraits.


Q: Sounds neat! I'd like to participate. What do I need to do?

A: Great! Just send me an email, and we can arrange a time to meet at my studio for the portrait. Plan to arrive a little early so we can meet and hang out a little.


Q: Is there anything else I can do to help with the project?

A: Absolutely! Please tell all your Halo 3 playing friends about this project. If you have online clans, tell them. If you are a member to gaming websites, tell them! I'd love to have dozens and dozens of people interested so I can get lots of subjects documented when i eventually arrive at the final editing process.


Q: Why are you doing this?

A: Because I'm a big fan of Halo, and for my next photograpic project I'd like to turn the camera on one of my favorite hobbies: video games. I'm interested in photographing people with the same interest as me, and I would like to create a series of images that will help people see the connection between players and the ability to adopt an on-line identity. Plus, Halo players are great guys and gals, and I want to help celebrate the community of players!


Q: Can I add you as a friend on Xbox LIVE?

A: Please do! XBOX LIVE! Gamer tag is "Sid Ceaser" (with a space)


Q: Tell me a little more about you.

A: Sure. I'm a 2004 graduate from the New Hampshire Institute of Art. I have a Bachelor's in Fine Art Photography. I maintain my studio in an old historic Mill Building along the Nashua River called "The Picker Building". The building is turning into a small arts community as lots of visual artists and artisans are establishing themselves in it. When I was little I used to make movies with my action figures and make music videos with my puppets using a Fisher Price PXL-2000 Pixelvision camera. I've always photographed things. I'm a HUGE pop-culture freak, and I'm a recovering video game addict. I collect movies, comic books, video games, music, anime toys, and tons of other things. I am very materialistic. I'm pretty nerdy and geeky, but I've always been like that, so it doesn't bother me. I like to photograph things that are part of my life, like toys, and Halo players.



Me.