Snow globe composites

CAPTURE THE KIDS BEHIND A WINDOW FOR THE FIRST STAGE IN OUR FESTIVE PHOTO PROJECT

Camera settings 1

We set the camera to Manual mode with shutter speed 1/250 sec, aperture f/6.3 and Auto ISO. This way the ISO adapts to the ambient light, while the shutter speed stays fast enough to freeze the action and the midrange aperture provides enough depth of field to ensure sharp subjects for the composite.

Large window 2

A large window or patio door is ideal for this. We set up a secure platform outside the window and asked the children to press their cheeks, noses and hands up against the pane of glass, so that their squashed faces could be merged with the snow globe later on in Photoshop.

Lighting 3

We used two LED lights to illuminate the children, one placed inside and to the left of the camera, the other outside to the right of the children. Later on, we can match this lighting when shooting the snow globe. Placing the lights at an angle like this will help to minimize unwanted reflections in the window.

Camera height 4

Camera height is important when shooting with a composite in mind, as we need the angles to match in both images. We shot the kids from a low angle here, as this would match the low angle used to capture the snow globe (see details over the page).

Night-time backdrop 5

We opted to shoot after dark so that the kids would be against a dark backdrop. This can make it easier to blend with the snow globe (which we can also shoot against a dark backdrop). Shooting during daylight may make the background harder to cut out and create unwanted reflections in the glass.

Lens choice 6

Your choice of lens can help to determine the perspective of the shot. The key is to match up the perspective in the portrait with the snow globe later, so don’t use a wide angle lens for one frame and a long lens for the other. Take several shots from different angles to give you plenty of options later.