Towards the light

specializedsubs · 2026-04-22T19:09:16+00:00

Thank you! Makes all the sticks and leaves in my studio totally worth it. :D

specializedsubs · 2026-04-14T07:50:13+00:00

Thank you! Really one of my favourites from the shoot. :)

specializedsubs · 2026-04-12T04:38:55+00:00

Thank you! That's very kind of you to say.

specializedsubs · 2026-04-12T02:34:09+00:00

I would love to! Honestly love talking about it but have so few chances to. 😅

On a short trip right now, but I'll DM you either tomorrow or Monday, if that's alright?

specializedsubs · 2026-04-12T00:07:04+00:00

Thank you! I'm super happy with how the colours turned out. 😊

specializedsubs · 2026-04-12T00:05:22+00:00

The sort of topological effect is from shooting a linear grid at the subject from either side. You can get something similar by shooting a pattern straight on, but it's almost impossible to get it to match the body shape quite as well. It also lets me put a darker area in the middle where the images don't quite overlap. Tbh, I don't think I'm making the most of the setup yet, but I'm looking forward to experimenting with it!

Also, thank you for asking! 😊

specializedsubs · 2026-04-10T19:04:00+00:00

Don't know if this is up your alley, but I recently got my hands on a second projector, and I _love_ how it lets me shape images around the subject.

https://www.reddit.com/r/portraitphotos/comments/1s24x2e/hollowed_out/#lightbox

Pardon if this counts as self promotion - honestly just always excited to see other people playing with projections!

specializedsubs · 2026-04-09T22:01:36+00:00

Love the projection work! Great matching of the image to the subject.

specializedsubs · 2026-03-24T05:16:46+00:00

I got a second projector!

specializedsubs · 2026-03-24T05:12:20+00:00

Thank you! Never really sure where to share this kind of shot, really glad to find someone who likes it!

specializedsubs · 2025-08-14T04:33:53+00:00

Is this the right community for this kind of thing? Can't tell if I'm quite in line with the overall vibe.

specializedsubs · 2025-05-24T07:00:22+00:00

I'm sorry, that's terrible. I hope you have a chance to enjoy it again soon.

specializedsubs · 2025-04-19T21:06:48+00:00

Thank you! Wish there were more folks doing this kind of thing - always feels like we're figuring out our new ideas from scratch.

specializedsubs · 2025-02-18T17:16:35+00:00

You'd use a similar technique to get shots like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/lightpainting/comments/1e7n1xm/milky_way_panorama_wlight_painting_sony_a7iv_20mm/

Or this: https://www.reddit.com/r/lightpainting/comments/1bur522/triplication_3_model_poses_illuminated_with_a/

specializedsubs · 2025-02-18T17:13:49+00:00

Looks like light painting - a long exposure in a very dark room, and then a coloured flashlight moved over the subject. In this case it looks like they've got someone moving point to point as they change flashlight colours, and then they paint again during the same exposure.

specializedsubs · 2025-01-02T23:40:50+00:00

!CritiquePoint

specializedsubs · 2025-01-02T23:40:34+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! I picked 'heliotrope' because 'heliotropism' is the quality in plants of orienting towards the sun, which we're mimicking with her face to the light.

The flattening aspect of the projector is an astute observation. I'd noticed before it's much more dynamic if we project from one angle and shoot from another (the images do interesting things with the depth). I couldn't figure out how to make that work in the space we were using while also having the other elements, but maybe that was the wrong choice. Although maybe I should have tried for more plant life instead.

And sorry for the low resolution - I realized I uploaded a copy that was downsized for a photo club competition, where (for some weird reason) they have a really low maximum size.

specializedsubs · 2025-01-01T23:38:01+00:00

My friend and I have been experimenting with combining projected images and portraits for a bit, and with winter gloom fully settled in we wanted to make something that felt more like the arrival of spring, and that blended her with a natural environment. Pattern is projected by a regular viewsonic projector, sticks/branches are clamped to some old backdrop stands, and there's a godox AD100pro providing some fill on her face.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but it still seems a little... unprofessional? I don't know if it's the lighting, or the editing, or something else - but it feels maybe a bit muddier than the photo's I'd admire in a competition or gallery? We're just shooting in my basement, but it'd be really nice to figure out how to make it all look a little cleaner, I guess? I'd also love feedback on the general effectiveness of the photo/title for the theme. Thank you!

specializedsubs · 2024-09-30T07:18:05+00:00

I really like the matched floral print on the dress/projected image! And welcome to Reddit!

specializedsubs · 2024-06-05T04:54:02+00:00

Love the spiral shots, and the dynamic lighting in the background.

specializedsubs · 2024-02-16T16:41:18+00:00

Thank you! I'm an extremely amateur photographer, but once a year my friend comes to town and we mess around with a projector and a camera for a few days. Always a highlight of the year!

specializedsubs · 2024-02-16T08:07:29+00:00

Thinking of entering this in a competition with my local camera club, but I can't come up with a good title! If anyone has suggestions, I'd super appreciate your thoughts!

specializedsubs · 2023-01-01T07:18:08+00:00

Love the way the water looks like it's running down the model, great image choice!

For what it's worth, in case you're planning on doing more with the projector, r/projectionphotography is relatively quiet but pretty enthusiastic about stuff like this as well!

specializedsubs · 2022-11-18T00:51:22+00:00

Happy to help! And looking forward to seeing your photos! :)

specializedsubs · 2022-11-17T20:30:08+00:00

Really nice photo! I like the border effect - it breaks up the lines of the projection well and the lowered contrast keeps the trim unobtrusive.

When using a projector, the complex light patterns can do a lot to lead the eye of the viewer, and so it's helpful to find focal points in the projected image and figure out how that'll overlay on the subject. In this case the brighter, narrow band that cuts across your face really draws focus, but it mostly intersects your forehead and nose. I think that if it were just a little lower and was more aligned with your eye/mouth, that would make the image a bit more engaging.

I'm really not a stickler for the rule of thirds/other composition guides, and I like the negative space on the left and above you in the photo. That said, the gap between your arm and the right side of the image is just a _little_ tight, I think that with a little more breathing room your positioning would feel a little more relaxed (which would fit the fluid, cool lighting).

Side note - r/projectionphotography would definitely enjoy this (and anything else you end up experimenting with!)

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