In this video I’m going to show how I used a video projector as a background for studio photography. This video will cover some of the things to look for when purchasing a video projector to use as a photography backdrop, as well as a complete lighting setup and breakdown with example shots. Do you need a 4K projector? Should you buy a used model? What about light output? I’ll answer these questions, much more, and even where to find suitable copyright-free images to use in your artistic photography.
Have any questions or want some additional information that I forgot to include? Just leave me a message in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer them. Thanks for watching!
#portraitphotography #studiophotography #portraiture #editorialphotography #editorial #artisticportraits #coloredgels #coloredgelphotography #offcameraflash
0:00 – Intro
1:06 – Epson PowerLite 1945W Model
1:29 – Cost of Projector
1:53 – Where To Buy
2:33 – Key to look for – Lumen output
3:11 – Epson PowerLite 1945W Tech Specs
4:05 – Buying Tips
5:12 – Initial Setup
5:46 – Projector Setup
7:37 – Organizing/Displaying Images
8:21 – Only Use Freely Usable Images
9:47 – Keep Your Studio Dark
11:07 – Background Selection
11:57 – Lighting Explanation
13:04 – What is “Feathering” Light?
13:53 – Shooting Demo
16:49 – Shooting Demo
17:57 – Final Thoughts
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MENTIONED PRODUCTS
Epson PowerLite 1945W:
Paul C. Buff DigiBee Flash Unit (DB800):
Samson LTS50 Laptop Stand (SALTS50):
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MODEL CREDIT:
Model: Anait Chibichyan
Model Instagram: @shiniga_mi
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MENTIONED BACKGROUNDS:
Orange Neon Background:
Orange Abstract Light Painting:
Orange Light Painting:
Orange/Gold Bokeh:
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FTC DISCLOSURE:
No sponsors have paid for or provided any equipment or materials shown in this video. Links above may contain Amazon affiliate links, just for full disclosure.
Comments
31 responses to “How to Create Artistic Portrait Photography Backgrounds by Using a Video Projector”
Just stumbled across this. In Canada we have a retailer that sometimes has special buys. 3 years ago I spotted some used but nice HD metal cases that looked to be good for photo gear so I started poking through them. One was much heaver so I opened it and here was a Powerlite 810, with all accessories and the manual, and even a book that recorded when and for how long it was used. Since it was priced the same as the other cases $35 Cdn, I took it to the till, paid for it and rushed home to try it. Works fine, connects to my laptop fine, so I just use that and project photos I've taken or downloaded. Also created a bunch of 'Gobo' .png images to project patterns onto subject, walls, etc., again just using the laptop or sometimes via a thumb drive. We even had a movie night where I projected a Netflix movie onto a building wall. It was like being at an old drive in theatre. Fun toy!
Since Adobe and others introduced Ai 'Generative Fill' almost any 'background' I wish I had …can be conjured up using that but for gobos, this is still great.
thanks for sharing, mike. very informational with great detail. enjoying the direct, no hype approach and attitude. keep it up. now subscribed.
Great video. Just to be sure, the orange and blue light, were the flashes or continuous light. Since this is not my language, and also a I'm oretty new im photography, i think i might got lost in translation.
Happy new year Mike, I am so happy to see you again
Very well done thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try this.❤
Thank you Mike. Your explanations were so easy to follow. I was at the point of giving up this sort of projected image until I found your tutorial, it was very easy to follow, I can't wait to try it. Perhaps some of those other "would be" presenters would benefit from learning to communicate using your style. No hype, clear diction and easy to follow and well described set-up. I sincerely thank you.
Can I ask a question, if I may. Will this work just as well for scenery?
Barry Champion. Tasmania.
Great video but I’m having issues myself…the pic I use as the background looks different after I snap the shot…it’s not the same colour. It almost comes out a blue or purple. Is that a white balance issue? Any thoughts?
Did you use any flash at all ?
I use my old slides projector with my own slides and it’s help my creativity, thanks for sharing
Lol😂never really had a job lol. Like your stuff bro
definitely inspiring and very well explained. Thanks!!
where to get this mannequin
Thanks for this! Just got a projector & I’m implementing what I learned here. What camera did you use by the way?
Thank you 🙏🏼
you save my life now hahaha tks a lot!
You're a genius. Why have I never heard of this?
Beautiful! Love your Work!
love how detailed you were with your setup… as i new photographer i really found this video helpful and informational thanks a bunch and please keep doing videos like this
Great video! So far is the best video presentation in You Tube, I've seen, about using a projector in photography.
Thank you Mike.
Outstanding video- all the details and tips. Thank u a lot!
Thanks Mike. Maybe it helps to say, that it NEEDS to be a 3 chip LCD projector. It will NOT work with a 1 chip version (which most ones for home use are). Because the latter produces rainbow artefacts. Tried it, frustrating…
man this looks cool af
Excellent explanation! Love the results you achieved with this setup.
mike hi can i use HSS for this one or will HSS theoretically cancel the projector?
Loved the video! Finally decided to pick up a projector because of you!
Also, love the SSPU shirt. They're my favorite band!
This is really cool. Subbed!
Thank you 🙌
LETS GO!!!!! Awesome video. I tried this before and it totally failed, but ill give it another go!
Very detailed video! I love it!
Great video, Mike, thank you!
Nice!!!! Just picked up one of these a few weeks ago. Can't wait to see your approach.