I recently purchased a short throw projector so that I could maximise the versatility of my photography studio by being able to project and change studio backgrounds within seconds. I opted for a short throw projector as it would mean that the model or subject would not be getting in the way of the projector light.
There are some caveats to using a projector as a backdrop. You have to be very careful where you place the studio lights. If they are facing the photography projector screen then it will result in the background being washed out.
That being said, you can still point the studio lights at the subject, they just need to be a little bit higher and facing the studio floor a bit more.
My first test for this method was using a piece of perspex and a projection of a cinematic background. These initial shots were inspired by Blade Runner and Sin City.
I sprayed some water onto the Perspex surface to make it feel that the subject was looking through a window. I put the background out of focus using a shallow depth of field. This helps make the background appear authentic.
These initial projector photography shots were done in collaboration with model Nicola West.
I have also attached a shot from a recent corporate head shot photography shoot that I was hired for, where the client wanted to appear as if he was within a modern office/building, so we projected one!
