Tips For Taking Green Screen Fantasy Photos



Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009

by Dewayne Blalock
Truth About Gazebos.com

Increasingly popular green screen photography is adding a creative new twist to the image of small photography studios, allowing them to provide a service that big corporate photo studios have chosen to overlook. Green screening, also called chroma keying, is the type of innovative technique that can give a small studio the critical edge needed to smother the competition. Moreover, if your studio can carve out a niche with a specialty such as fantasy photography, you'll stand out in the vast photography field.

In the world of green screen photography, there is the fantasy-theme option known as "sword and sorcery." This includes the well-known game Dungeons and Dragons, and stories such as "Lord of the Rings." To shoot these fantasy-theme photos, pose the client dressed in a period costume in front of a green screen, holding a "weapon" or prop such as a sword, bow and arrow, or a magic wand. Then, add digital background scenery such as breathtaking views of nature or ancient architectural structures -- especially castles. And here's a tip: If the client wants to come across in the photo with a soft, mystical look, fasten a piece of nylon to your camera lens with a rubber band. Instant dreamy mystery.

Science fiction is another widely used fantasy-theme choice. Common settings for this genre would come from Star Trek, Star Wars and Babylon Five. Some interesting choices in this genre would come from Dr. Who, a show that crosses times and dimensions, and steam punk, in which Victorian-era characters operate modern technology. This particular niche come complete with thousands of costumed characters who are eager to be photographed. Here are some ideas for unforgettable photos: For shots on a space travel theme such as Star Trek, create the Enterprise's observation deck, featuring a large window looking out onto a vast blanket of stars, or the Ten-Forward cantina, using a contemporary bar scene for the background. Steam punk photos could be shot using interiors of Victorian homes.

Yet another category that can combine elements of the first two is that of fairy tales. Fairies and other gentle creatures are the stars of these photos. For the best fairy tale shots, use landscapes that have a aura of mystery -- and just a hint of mischief. Remember, the fairy tale scenes aren't just for children or costumed characters. There's another unique group who love these particular photos: high school senior girls. Think about shooting portraits of them in their prom dresses, standing in front of this mystical backdrop. This way, your clients get magic and memories from a single photo.

The last category, which borrow elements from all of the previous ones and yet remains unique, is known as Anime and video game costumed characters. This type of photo requires Asian-inspired locations, both interiors and exteriors, as well as contrasting run-down warehouses or possibly historic sites that have only the barest traces of original buildings remaining.

The most important thing to keep in mind when shooting fantasy photos is that regardless of the strange, outlandish costumes you may use, and regardless of the odd locations your clients want you to create, if you can produce a believable photo you will have plenty of eager clients for many years to come.
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