Nik Mirus

Physical Phenomena: The Butterfly Effect From a series of short videos that explore physical phenomena. Simple still lifes with a quiet hypnotic feel where nothing is really going on…..yet so much is happening, un seen. A single pendulum swings back and forth predictably….Back and forth back and forth… Add a second arm to that pendulum, and the motion becomes so erratic that it is impossible to predict. Chaos! I’m sure you’ve heard of the Butterfly Effect. It’s a metaphor for this phenomenon. The idea is that a slight shift in initial conditions, such as the flap of a butterfly’s wings on one side of the earth, can ultimately trigger a massive atmospheric event like a hurricane on the other. Small causes can have huge effects! Big thanks to Shervin @mjkbx for the original music and bringing the elements to life. Really nice to connect! Great guy. “Forgive me Father, for I have Sinned.” The movement of the butterflies was created with the help of some AI prompting. After running through various options of wrangling and directing a group of butterflies I decided to do some experimenting. I ordered a bunch of dried butterflies often sold for pinning and collecting. I rehydrated, pressed and positioned them in the frame creating still ‘key’ frames of where I wanted them to to fly and land. By feeding these frames into an image generator and crossing my fingers I was able to prompt some ‘passable’ motion assets. They’re clunky, but they’ll do.

Some work in progress. More to follow!

A recent animation test for a longer piece I’d like to explore. A while back, I was playing around with 2 dimensional painted shapes and creating simple compositions with them. In the process, I realized there might be an interesting animation technique to explore. The shapes are positioned between a solid black surface and a shallow tank of water. When the water is agitated, the forms distort in interesting ways. There’s a ‘sweet’ spot with the exposure length when the shapes lose their sharp edge, transforming from rigid shapes to soft, wispy organic forms. The white ‘scratches’ are small bubbles captured during the exposure creating a rough texture that I find interesting. There is something about the simplicity of the technique, and rough analog look that excites me. A little ambiance by Oneohtrix Point Never to help give the shapes some viff.

NESPRESSO: Made With Taste A few scenes from a project this past summer for Nespresso with @courageideas . Minimalist environments built around the Nespresso machine creating a space that felt like a gallery, evoking the notion that the machine is more than just a machine, but a beautiful work of art to be admired. For all of the ‘process junkies’, I’ve included a few of my clunky early storyboard sketches and some diagrams. For those interested in the final 15 second commercials, a few are up on my website. Link in my bio. Director: @nikmirus DOP: @menadkesraoui_tx 1st AD: Isa Brutus 1st AC: Jacob Monfils, Arturo Fransolet DIT: @jeremybobrowmtl Light Assistant: William Cole Key Grip: Stéphane Klopp Grip: Kané Beignet, Hugo Klopp, Maxime Fréchette Swing: Anthony-James Armstrong, Roderick Chen, Victor Collombet Gaffer: Olivier Racine Art Director: @evelynemorin_ Food Stylist: @claud_marguerite Food Stylist @daniel_foodstylist Stylist: Jennifer Bergeron Key MUA: Valérie St-Michel Talent: @chantalquidoz Production: @leloi EP: @eloibeauchamp Producer: @jacqueliiiiiiiiiiin Production manager: Gustave Dufresne Production Coordinator: @avriltrea Retoucher: @levisualbox Agency: @courageideas Partner & ECD, MTL: @Maxime Sauté Partner & ECD, MTL: @marilouaubin Agency Producer: (Motion) Veronica Coles Senior Agency Producer (Print) Raquel Mullen

Art Lacquers: Here are a few more images from a series that @evelynemorin_ and I created this past summer. You can see the full series on my website. When I first posted a few of the blobs, a common question was, “Is it AI?” Nope. It’s a mix of old paint, transparent cutouts, photography, and some digital massaging in Photoshop. I’m not opposed to using AI as a creative tool. I just haven’t found a way to integrate it into my process that feels exciting. I also can’t imagine it ever replacing my inherent need to build things, work with my hands, and collaborate with other people. God speed Sam Altman

Micro Plastics: A few images created for the @davidsuzukifdn in collaboration with my old pal and staunch ex Winnipeger @beccablackwood . To help illustrate the pressing issue of how everyday plastics are breaking down and ending up in our bodies, we collected bits of plastic from our apartments, studios, and out and about on the street. After lots of sorting-a lot of hot glue- we created a sculptural piece using the bust of a transparent mannequin. Repurposing old bits of junk/trash and making them into something new always seems to touch a nerve in me. Despite wading through the heaps of junk and being reminded that plastic is EVERYWHERE (we have a problem) such a nice way to spend a couple of quiet days in the studio soaking up the off-gases. Concept & Art Direction: Becca Blackwood & myself Retouching: @bonessodumas Dog: Sonny

Physical Phenomena: Coupled Oscillation From a series of short videos that explore physical phenomena. Simple still lifes with a quiet hypnotic feel where nothing is really going on…..yet so much is happening, un seen. Four metronomes sit on a rolling platform. As they tick back and forth their oscillations synchronize over time. Stay tuned for Chaos Theory!

“Art Lacquers, Paint Blobs” — not quite sure what we should call them yet. These are a couple of recent images that @evelynemorin_ and I have been working on. They reflect our shared love of colour, variations on a theme, and our ongoing interest in repurposing materials from past projects. I’ve always loved how illusions can created with a camera—how it can distort perspective and trick the viewer’s perception. While part of this work was simply about exploring how paint and coloured inks react together, we also wanted to create a sense of space and dimensionality using flat, 2D forms. By photographing the fluid paint shapes above rigid geometric cutouts, our aim was to create the illusion that these elements had a sculptural quality—mounted above or resting on plinths like carvings or small sculpture. More to come!!

Rye whiskey finished in tequila barrels?!?! 🤷🏻‍♂️ who knew!! Some pictures from a recent shoot for @angelsenvy and some nice bts footage of our day in studio. Pretty great little project. @astlau designed and built an amazing little set inspired by a whiskey cellar: complete with delicate gold wall motifs, travertine floors, agave plants and 3D printed tequila barrels!! Thanks @sidlee_official for the incredible brief! Set design and AD @astlau AD Assist: @constance.lecourt Drink and food: @daniel_foodstylist Light @williamfmcole Producer: @yvonnehercun BTS: @___hugobeaupre Retouching @levisualbox Production @leloi

Dusting off some ‘planets’ and piecing them together with @supersavant.music and @caravane_studio .

Welcoming Nik Mirus to Senso Photo! Image architect, photographer, director, and DOP Nik Mirus moves seamlessly between high-concept editorials and campaigns for brands that don’t settle. His vision? Razor-sharp. Visually graphic, obsessively composed, always pulsing with a singular sense of color. Nothing is accidental: everything is designed to hit, never to overstate. In the studio, he builds sets, rigs, and lighting environments. The camera comes last, capturing what’s already been orchestrated with precision. Based in Montréal, working globally, Nik splits his time between solo personal work and collaborative, narrative-driven briefs. In both cases, he brings the same creative discipline: images built end-to-end, where technical ingenuity meets a deeply refined aesthetic instinct. Photographer : @nikmirus - #imagearchitect #photography #photographer #director #dop #editorials #colors #aestethic #setdesign

A few short videos for SSense from last month. Simple ideas, fixed camera and a little sound design. I like it! Photographed & Directed (@nikmirus ) Set Design: Vanessa Jackson (@vvvllljjj ) Production: Chloe Snower (@chloesnowa ), Miranda Mignacca Video Editor & Sound Design: S. Mckinley Akins (@mckinleyakins ) Light @williamfmcole and @mitchelldwright