Some time ago I borrowed a projector and experimented with superimposing images on my model at the time, Emily. I had little idea of what could be done with projected images, but it was a great learning experience.

I was pleased with the results, but thought that I would have to borrow the projector again, or buy one for a few hundred dollars to get something that would produce sharp images. I was wrong: the relatively inexpensive projector ($85 or so) does a great job, provided I remembered to focus the projected image on the face and form, rather than the background. Below are the results of a recent shoot with my current main model, Sheldon. I learned that the 50% gray background was better than a white one, as it reduced the background brightness enough that the model stood out. Playing with color and saturation in post-processing produced arresting images. It turns out, too, that rendering the shots in black and white can deliver something outstanding. 

I learned a lot about what kinds of images work, and about how careful you have to be in superimposing the image on the model. I had lots of discards because I let unpleasing shadows or dark areas from the image fall on Sheldon’s face. With the complexity of shapes and colors, the images often challenge the viewer to make sense of what he or she is seeing. Despite what I considered to be frequent failures artistically, many of the images I was left with were very pleasing. I like to know if people enjoy my work, so please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!