- I started experimenting with projection mapping earlier this summer with some very willing test subjects. Here are a few things I learned that I think will help you get better results faster than I did.
- Think of the projector as just any other light source. You can infinitely modify the light to get the exact shape, texture, color and luminance you want.
- Experiment with wardrobe. The effects of an all white outfit vs. street clothes vs. naked on the final images will be dramatically different.
- Don't neglect additional lighting. I shoot with the projector as a sole light source sometimes, but also add strobes and LEDs for fill and backlighting on occasion, too.
- Project video, not just stills. The changing image will let you shoot throughout the length of your loop, grabbing a variety of photos with one setup. Animated GIFs work especially well here.
- Resolution matters. So far, I've only shot with an HD projector, and you can tell at times. The projected images aren't as sharp as they would be with a 2k or 4k projector. It's most obvious with text.
- Models aren't necessary. You can projection map rooms, landscapes -- anything you can think of. The bigger the scene, the more projectors you'll need.
- Use black. When projected, black in your image will be the absence of light, so the underlying surface (cloth, skin, etc.) will show through. It's particularly striking with text surrounded by light.
Projection mapping photography is an innovative technique that combines the artistry of photography with the dynamic capabilities of projected images — and it doesn't have to be too expensive. You can start with a budget projector for around $50 online.
