Projecting transparencies onto backdrop

Question

Okay, I am working on a studio portrait project and I have an idea for how to create interesting backdrops, but I'm not sure if it is feasible . . .

I have some transparencies, 12 inches square, with various words/ images etc that I think would make interesting background if they were projected onto the grey seamless that is my backdrop. I am using frontal lighting, with the background illuminated by a dedicated side light out of the frame. The transparencies are too small to simply place in front of this light and be projected onto the background, but if I move them further back to enlarge them then blurriness becomes an issue.

So, my idea is to put the transparencies on an overhead projector and use that to put them onto the backdrop. My question is where would I place the projector to do this? Do I put it where the side light would normally be, or in line with the frontal light (to one side)? My concern is that if I put it in the side light's place, won't the projected image be skewed since it would be projecting from an angle? Or is this idea even possible?

My other idea was to simply have the transparencies reprinted onto larger sheets, but I shudder at the thought of how much expense that would take . . .

Answer 1

Sounds like Front Screen Projection. We used that in our studio before digital. A special screen was needed so that the lights in front wouldn't blow out the image in the back. Louvers were used on the lights to control where they fell.

Answer 2

i do sometimes, the major issue is the OHP light isnt that bright, so balancing the light with you main lights is a issue - it is possible, use screens to block of lights so they dont wash out the projection, slightly to the side of the model behind them works well, to much to the side and it does skew,

set it up and play around, use your meter and all will be well

a

Answer 3

Your idea is sound and somewhat feasible.. however as you say, projected from the side will skew the images way too much (maybe.?) You may have to run with this idea a bit here...

If you try str8 on projection, you will have shadows behind your subjects and the images ON your subjects... So, ...

Try muslin or cheese cloth and do rear screen projection. You will have to balance your front lights and exposure to get the background the way you want it, but this is what makes photography so great, especially the home grown stuff..

Another idea is to have the overhead projector - behind your subject and projecting on a white sheet, behind your subject, with your subject hiding the projector. Of course this idea requires a bit more room and a dark room to boot.. Night time and a open garage (as empty as ya can of course) works fine. Another idea is to try to project down, over and behind your subject. A roof top, shed, house, garage.. Tall step ladder.. may work.

Years ago for a shoot I went to a zoo and shot many animals on slide film. I made sure the "pose" of the critters could be somewhat matched by a naked female model. I used a dark hall way that ended in a T and I was at the bottom of this T with a camera on a tripod, shooting over the slide projector. The background, to absorb as much light as it could was black velvet material. The exposure off the gals white skin hid the rest by under exposing the background, making it - black....

The results worked, I had a fantastic photo shoot and a nice check later.. With digital now I can "paint" these images onto anything wanted, which brings us to THIS idea....

Why not shoot the backgrounds 1st.. then put your subject in them..?? Layers, double exposures, cloning.. etc,,?! As once said - The ends justify the means... In shorthand this means - Getting the job done is not as important as HOW you do it... Many a great photograph is NOT as the camera pr the photographer took it..

Ansel Adams would spend hours or days in the darkroom modifying his 4x5 shots to be as WE see them today. Nothing he hardly took ever became a - straight print..! ALL required his excellent talent in the dark room dogging, burning and other tricks, to bring out what HE saw..

So, is digital manipulation allowed or honored..?? It has to be..! This IS the new media and what WE do with it is our legacy. Film, like a horse is not dead, but do you see many riding a horse to the next city or state..??

Bob - Tucson