Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this behind-the-scenes video, I'll take you step by step through the process of using a digital projector to create stunning, immersive backdrops right in your studio. I'll show you how to set up the projector, choose the right lighting, and adjust your camera settings to make your subject look like they're truly on location. From crafting cinematic lighting with rim lights and optical spots to fine-tuning color grading for a realistic effect, you'll learn how to seamlessly blend your subject into the projected environment. Whether you're a photographer looking to expand your creative toolkit or just curious about this technique, this video will give you practical tips to elevate your next shoot!
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👉 For more advanced lighting setups like these that use include using a digital projector, check out my new Continuous Lighting Guides: https://lindsayadler.photo/continuous
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▶️ Optical Spot videos:
👉 Optical Spot Explained: youtu.be/sR2UfEsUGbE
👉 Creative Beauty Shoot using Gels + Optical Spot: youtu.be/u1BRbzURQZo
👉 Creating a Jewelry Campaign Image with the Westcott Optical Spot: youtu.be/mmcekw7UlhY
0:00 Intro & Concept
1:54 Using Midjourney for background creation
3:08 Camera settings
3:52 The Lighting
4:58 Blending the image with the background
6:18 Color grading
8:43 Getting the shot
💡Lighting (4 light setup)
1. Main Light: Profoto D2 with the Westcott Optical Spot to illuminate the subject's face, creating a tight beam of light resembling light coming through a doorway.
2. Rim Lights: Two 1x4 foot strip softboxes with grids placed on either side of the background. The grids help control the spread of light, and the softboxes have orange gels to create warm rim lighting on both sides of the subject's hair, matching the background's glow.
3. Background Light: Digital projector with at least 3,000 lumens (5,500 lumens used) to project the digital environment onto a seamless paper background. The projector is the weakest light source, so brighter projectors are preferred.
4. Specialty Light: Black Pro Mist filter (one strength) to add a glow to highlights and enhance the cinematic feel of the scene.
👇 Drop a comment below and let me know what you think of the end result!
📸 Camera Settings:
✅ ISO:800 (to accommodate the relatively low power of the projector)
✅ Aperture: f/2.8 (to create a shallow depth of field and blur the background for a more realistic look)
✅Shutter Speed: 1/80th of a second (slow, but stabilized by the strobe to freeze the subject)
✅ Color Temperature: 8500K (to achieve a warm tone that matches the projected environment)
✅ Camera: Canon R5 Mark II
✅ Lens: Canon 24-105mm f/2.8
📸 Gear:
✅ Canon EOS R5 Mark II: https://prf.hn/l/w94R48j/
✅ Canon 24-105mm f/2.8 lens: https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
✅ Tiffen 77mm Black Pro Mist #1 Special Effects Filter: https://prf.hn/l/0egzL0P/
✅ Epson 3Lcd Wuxga digital projector: https://prf.hn/l/7OxpDBy/
✅ Profoto D2: (discontinued, links to new D3): https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
✅ Wescott Optical Spot: https://prf.hn/l/G9DRROp/
✅ Profoto 1x4' Strip Softbox: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpRAa/
✅ Avenger D600 boom arm: https://prf.hn/l/EJDBPD2/
✅ Savage C-Stand: https://prf.hn/l/kV0wEB3/
✅ Universal Coral background: https://prf.hn/l/8jDE3Dp/
✅ Tether Tools TetherBoost Pro 31' USB-C to Micro-B Cable, Orange Right Angle: https://prf.hn/l/6kvRQlz/
✅ Rosco Color Effects kit: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpR9a/
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👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
👉 Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: twitter.com/lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
In this behind-the-scenes video, I'll take you step by step through the process of using a digital projector to create stunning, immersive backdrops right in your studio. I'll show you how to set up the projector, choose the right lighting, and adjust your camera settings to make your subject look like they're truly on location. From crafting cinematic lighting with rim lights and optical spots to fine-tuning color grading for a realistic effect, you'll learn how to seamlessly blend your subject into the projected environment. Whether you're a photographer looking to expand your creative toolkit or just curious about this technique, this video will give you practical tips to elevate your next shoot!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 For more advanced lighting setups like these that use include using a digital projector, check out my new Continuous Lighting Guides: https://lindsayadler.photo/continuous
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
▶️ Optical Spot videos:
👉 Optical Spot Explained: youtu.be/sR2UfEsUGbE
👉 Creative Beauty Shoot using Gels + Optical Spot: youtu.be/u1BRbzURQZo
👉 Creating a Jewelry Campaign Image with the Westcott Optical Spot: youtu.be/mmcekw7UlhY
0:00 Intro & Concept
1:54 Using Midjourney for background creation
3:08 Camera settings
3:52 The Lighting
4:58 Blending the image with the background
6:18 Color grading
8:43 Getting the shot
💡Lighting (4 light setup)
1. Main Light: Profoto D2 with the Westcott Optical Spot to illuminate the subject's face, creating a tight beam of light resembling light coming through a doorway.
2. Rim Lights: Two 1x4 foot strip softboxes with grids placed on either side of the background. The grids help control the spread of light, and the softboxes have orange gels to create warm rim lighting on both sides of the subject's hair, matching the background's glow.
3. Background Light: Digital projector with at least 3,000 lumens (5,500 lumens used) to project the digital environment onto a seamless paper background. The projector is the weakest light source, so brighter projectors are preferred.
4. Specialty Light: Black Pro Mist filter (one strength) to add a glow to highlights and enhance the cinematic feel of the scene.
👇 Drop a comment below and let me know what you think of the end result!
📸 Camera Settings:
✅ ISO:800 (to accommodate the relatively low power of the projector)
✅ Aperture: f/2.8 (to create a shallow depth of field and blur the background for a more realistic look)
✅Shutter Speed: 1/80th of a second (slow, but stabilized by the strobe to freeze the subject)
✅ Color Temperature: 8500K (to achieve a warm tone that matches the projected environment)
✅ Camera: Canon R5 Mark II
✅ Lens: Canon 24-105mm f/2.8
📸 Gear:
✅ Canon EOS R5 Mark II: https://prf.hn/l/w94R48j/
✅ Canon 24-105mm f/2.8 lens: https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
✅ Tiffen 77mm Black Pro Mist #1 Special Effects Filter: https://prf.hn/l/0egzL0P/
✅ Epson 3Lcd Wuxga digital projector: https://prf.hn/l/7OxpDBy/
✅ Profoto D2: (discontinued, links to new D3): https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
✅ Wescott Optical Spot: https://prf.hn/l/G9DRROp/
✅ Profoto 1x4' Strip Softbox: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpRAa/
✅ Avenger D600 boom arm: https://prf.hn/l/EJDBPD2/
✅ Savage C-Stand: https://prf.hn/l/kV0wEB3/
✅ Universal Coral background: https://prf.hn/l/8jDE3Dp/
✅ Tether Tools TetherBoost Pro 31' USB-C to Micro-B Cable, Orange Right Angle: https://prf.hn/l/6kvRQlz/
✅ Rosco Color Effects kit: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpR9a/
----
👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
👉 Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: twitter.com/lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
