THE SET-UP PROJECTOR-LIT LANDSCAPES
Prepare your camera and projector to shoot outdoors after dark
01 PROJECTOR
Projectors like the Optima model I’ve used let you project images and videos onto any surface you like. When it comes to using them outdoors like this, the more powerful they are the stronger the reach will be. Of course, as well as being a great tool for creative photography, a projector can also showcase your finished images!
02 PROJECTED IMAGE
Strong shapes, geometric patterns and contrasty photos tend to work best for this effect. Try projecting them onto different surfaces like trees, buildings and the ground. Look for scenes that have plenty of depth with foreground and background details, as this can make the projected image look more interesting.
03 LAPTOP
You’ll need a laptop or phone to control the projected images. We had Photoshop running while we shot, so we could adjust images or tweak the zoom on the fly if necessary. When using Photoshop you can hit Tab to hide all panels and F to toggle viewing modes, which gives you plain black around your image.
04 CAMERA ANGLE
Experiment by offsetting the camera and projector slightly, as this skews the projected image in interesting ways. Don’t move them too far apart though. The further they are spaced, the less legible the projected pattern becomes, especially if – like here – the projection is aimed towards spaced-out details.
05 DARKNESS
The projected image will be too weak to register properly in daytime, so this shoot needs to be done in the dark, or after dusk – you can try projecting onto silhouette shapes against the twilight sky. Keep a torch to hand and watch out for stray cables between the projector, laptop and power source.
06 POWER SOURCE
You might have a perfect spot to try this out in the garden, but if you want to go beyond the reach of an extension cable then you’ll need mobile power. A generator is ideal, but a cheaper option is a car battery inverter. This attaches to your car battery and lets you take your projector out on the road.