Artistic Lighting Painting Portraits with a Video Projector
(Model: Duffy. Abstract Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
Had another photoshoot in-studio using my video projector as a key role in lighting my subject. In this series, I shot a variety of looks with model Duffy, and at times, the main light source was my Epson PowerLite 1945W video projector with some abstract images projected onto the model. We shot three main distinct “patterns” or variety of looks here, and for anyone wanting to know how this is done, I created a detailed YouTube video entitled “How to Create Artistic Portrait Photography Backgrounds by Using a Video Projector”:
HOW TO CREATE ARTISTIC PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BACKGROUNDS BY USING A VIDEO PROJECTOR
Here’s my YouTube video showing exactly how I used my video projector to project abstract images on the walls to create new and unique backgrounds for photography. “How to Create Artistic Portrait Photography Backgrounds by Using a Video Projector”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziBJlkSF4jQ
So for the first creative technique, my goal was to project a colorful abstract “swirl” on to the model, with a black background to really make the color and depth pop. I did this by positioning the projector at a 45° angel, so that it was hitting the model but not hitting the background, and positioned the model approximately five feet from the background wall. I could have selected multiple variations of the colorful “swirl” I was looking for, but I settled on this one which was both extremely vibrant and nice mix of complimentary red/green swirls.
(Model: Duffy. Abstract Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
(Model: Duffy. Abstract Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
(Model: Duffy. Abstract Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
(Model: Duffy. Abstract Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
For the next look, this one would be a bit different. For this series, I used the projector as a red spotlight, similar to a snoot, and simply projected an image of a red circle on a black background onto my studio wall. Since the projector was now only being used as the background image (and not onto the model), I used a single off-camera strobe (camera-left) to illuminate my subject. In this case, the strobe as a DigiBee DB800 from Paul C. Buff, with a red colored gel applied.
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
(Model: Duffy. Light projected onto the background, with single strobe camera-left as the key light.)
For the last creative look, this was more of a monochrome pattern again projected directly onto the model. Unlike the abstract swirl, this was a black/white uniformed pattern that created a unique look, especially when shot wide open at f/1.4 to increase the depth-of-field isolated focus on my subject’s eyes.
(Model: Duffy. Abstract monochrome Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
(Model: Duffy. Abstract monochrome Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
(Model: Duffy. Abstract monochrome Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
(Model: Duffy. Abstract monochrome Image projected onto the model as the sole light source)
We actually shot more looks with this lighting setup, and my YouTube video also has more examples of ways to be creative using a video projector as a tool for your photography: How to Create Artistic Portrait Photography Backgrounds by Using a Video Projector has even more visual examples along with power settings for the lighting setup and additional info to assist you, so please give it a view if you’d like to see more.
Want to learn more about a photoshoot or have a question?
Interested in a photoshoot? Just use the contact page here to email me with any photo session ideas you may have. If you are interested in portraits or headshots, I shoot professional portraits and professional headshots both outdoors with natural light and/or strobes, or in my San Francisco Bay Area-based photo studio with a wide variety of backdrops and lighting options for many types of projects. Whether you need fashion photography, portrait photography, yoga or fitness photography, headshot photography, an online dating profile photographer, beauty headshot photography, artistic extreme colored gel hypercolor portraits, product photography, modeling digitals for agencies, or anything in-between, I offer various packages for many budgets. I look forward to hearing from you. Let’s shoot!
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