Projecting Creativity: Using a Projector in Photography
In this blog post, we'll be discussing the exciting new addition to our photography setup - using a projector for our photoshoots!
As photographers, we're always on the lookout for ways to make our images stand out. A projector allows us to project custom images behind our models, giving us the ability to create unique and interesting backdrops that are more cost-efficient than printing out endless custom backdrops.
At first, it may seem like photoshopping in backdrops would be easier and cheaper, but the advantage of using a projector is that the edges are clean, and you can immediately give the photos to the models within a short time - sometimes even the same hour!
However, there are some challenges that come with using a projector. The biggest downside is having to adjust your lighting to not compete with the backdrop, otherwise the background images would turn out desaturated and faded. I was able to fix this issue using my Lightroom Classic preset, but I also had to work with a relatively low shutterspeed to pull in the light from the backdrop because I like to keep my ISO low. The biggest struggle was when working with multiple models, as I didn't feel comfortable increasing the aperture as much as I should, because I was struggling to keep the ISO low to keep the noise low.
Despite these challenges, the results were worth it! I did a photoshoot with Kay Brown as Lt Uhura from Star Trek, and the photos came out great. The idea wasn't to use a green screen, but rather to use the projector to make the backgrounds different and give the feel of Star Trek. The focus was still on Kay, but I was also able to experiment with using the background for a photo competition. The edges were super clean, especially in tough areas like her hair.
I also did a shoot with Mandi, where I was able to add images that were important to her, like the moon to appeal to her Wiccan spiritual beliefs and the ocean to promote an upcoming Pirate Invasion convention. Finally, I did a big Batman shoot where I was able to put greenhouses behind Poison Ivy and Gotham City behind Batman, making the shoot fun and allowing me to give people 400 different photos in just 2 days of editing.
For my setup, I used the BENQ MH733 projector with a Kindle 4K Fire Stick. This projector was the best compromise of price and lumens, as I needed a very bright projector. I angled all of my lights to avoid casting any light into the projected screen as much as possible.
In conclusion, using a projector is a fun and different addition to our photography toolbox, but it's not always necessary. Halfway through the Batman shoot, I turned off the projector, and it ended up giving me an entirely different look. So, while it's a useful tool, it's important not to use it as a crutch and consider it just one more tool in your photography toolbox.
