Whether you enjoy seeing your kids run up to each door and get their favorite candy, or if you’re more of a horror, spooky fan that can’t wait for that moment of suspense, we have you covered! Our team has written several Halloween-centric articles to get your creative photography juices flowing.
How to modify a black cat with Photoshop - What is more Halloween-y than a skeleton? It might be a black cat. And, since most folks will be playing with skeletons, I decided to take on a little modification of a black cat to help get you ready for Halloween. This type of image could be used on your website, Instagram account or printed as a card to remind clients you are still around in a creative way. Meet Luna This cat came one day and knocked on our front door. Literally. It was a feral cat the neighbor had started to feed. The neighbor had young screaming (and sometimes ornery) children that made the cat flee to our home. We have since been trained to be its caretaker. You’ll need to find your own cat image. Or, let me know, and I’ll share an image of Luna with you. Photoshop is my go-to software Let’s play in Adobe Photoshop to make the cat image more interesting. I take texture layers that I have gathered over the years and use Layers and Blend Modes to make modifications. The latest Photoshop versions make this quite easy. You place a Layer over another. Then, by scrolling over the Blending Mode Options it will instantly show you how it will blend with the Layers below. Visually find one you like and you can stop right there. For more even creative looks duplicate the Layer, rotate it and change the blend mode again. I find the most used Blend Modes to be Multiply, Overlay and Soft Light for the effects but all have their place. In addition, you can add Adjustment Layers to change color and contrast. Get in and play. Shuffle the Layers for even more looks. Have fun. The possibilities are endless I can’t stress enough that the looks you can achieve are limitless. Leave the fear of ‘making a mistake’ at the door which will open your mind to new imagery. Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
Get creative with your lighting for Halloween-themed photoshoots - Are you looking for ideas for creative lighting for Halloween-themed photoshoots? Let me take you on a look behind-the-scenes for some of the lighting setups used in the studio on a few sessions. Getting creative doesn’t mean it always has to be created with studio flashes, either. Find creative alternatives The below image was captured using only an old-fashioned (recreation) Edison bulb in a brass light cage. The next image we used a crystal ball lit by a torch and colored gels, it gave a prism effect and lit the models face, a little eerie, and very cool. No other lighting was used in either shot. Create mood and atmosphere The next image was shot using black muslin background, one studio strobe (camera right) up quite high and pointed down at the model’s torso. A smoke machine was blown in from behind the light stand, creating a soft ethereal quality. The strobe had a 36-inch octabox and was turned down quite low. The model was posed over a small ottoman and hooded character knelt on the floor. The image was slightly underexposed, dropping the black into nothing. Look for different angles In the next image, the model was facing directly into a large octabox (on a studio strobe), also turned right down. The shot was taken from just to the side of the octabox, crouching down and shooting up slightly. Try flat light Shot against a black muslin backdrop with two studio flashes, once again with the 36-inch octabox up high and shooting slightly down on the models. An umbrella was used on the next light (front of shot) which mainly lit the dress, there was also a third light with a beauty dish, just to camera left, lighting the face and crown. All lights are quite a distance from the model and the power-up quite high. The distance softened the light and created a flat light look with minimal shadows. Mix different types of lighting This next one was a little different as I had two different colored light sources. Camera left had blue continuous light with a shoot-through umbrella, lending a blue dull quality to my model. The camera right was more yellow as if lit by sunset light, which gave my ‘Alice’ a glowing look. Shot against white muslin backdrop and both lights pointed slightly down at the model. Go basic for impact For the next image, I used a single octabox placed quite high and shooting down on the model. A reflector was placed on camera left near ground level, bouncing light back up at the model’s face, leaving deep shadows under the model and behind. Shot against canvas painted with chalkboard paint. Think outside the box Why not try something a little old school? We placed a desk lamp behind a vintage venetian blind and lit the subject through that. This really gave a Film Noir vibe. Just about anything you can think of can is used as a light source — you just need to get creative. Once you’ve learned HOW to use studio lights, then you can really play around and get inventive. Try barn doors, grid boxes, gels and even colored filters. So perhaps on your next shoot, whether that be a Halloween themed studio session or a creative portrait session, try some of these ideas for creative lighting. Start with one light source, whether a speedlight, continuous or strobe … and then add more light if you have them.
My Halloween must-haves - Would you believe me if I said Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year to shop? :) Now I get what your thinking, “what girl doesn’t love shopping,” but what if I said I love shopping at the Halloween store for things that I use year-round in my photography? Would you believe me now? Guys, I am 100% serious! Here are the four things I get every year in bulk from my local Halloween store. Top four things Fog If you don’t own a fog machine you are truly missing out. The effect it has in images is incredible and one of my favorites. Plus fog on the porch makes all the trick-or-treaters think your house is the coolest. UV paint I am obsessed with my black light lately and every year the Halloween store comes out with some cool UV paint. This year I picked up these pinpoint paints that I am loving, they draw incredible lines. Lights Halloween stores are notorious for having random little light sticks, finger rings or glow sticks for kids to use while going trick-or-treating. They are perfect for photographers they are small compact and generally, they have multiple settings and colors. Great for light painting. Makeup Guys Halloween store makeup is some of my favorite. They have crazy colors, elaborate eyelashes, glitter, creams and powders. It’s a dream! Conclusion Every year I hit up the Halloween store multiple times during October. First, I have to get there right when they open so I can scope out the new things make my must-have lists. I do a mid-month run to see what is selling. If I notice what I am wanting is selling quickly I might purchase it then just to make sure I get it, but then I always do an after Halloween day run. The stores instantly cut their prices in half or more making everything on my list incredible cheap, just how I like it! Every year I walk away with something new and creative to add to my photography husky and I love it. So November 1, mark your calendars and make your lists, because we are going shopping!
How to make the most of trick-or-treating with your camera - As a mom of two wild and crazy kids who’s love for Halloween runs through their veins all year long (which yes, is a very proud moment for me), I thought I would share four tips for photographing kids during the trick-or-treating festivities. Have some juice and get prepared Make sure that you have a full battery and empty card before heading out the door. The worst thing that could happen is you get back two blocks over and have to run back home because you weren’t prepared. Also, before you leave set your camera to the right settings. It is going to get dark quick and you don’t want to have to be fumbling with your camera and miss the shot. Might I even suggest maybe using the Aperture mode setting on the camera? Start with the pregame Don’t forget about the pregame! Start taking pictures the moment they start to get into their costumes. Half the fun of Halloween is picking out the costume and getting ready. Photograph the experience and watch the excitement build in little faces as they get ready for their big reveal. Carry a flashlight This doesn’t apply just to you, but also to your trick-or-treaters — carry a flashlight. Of course, this is just a safety measure as a parent for your kids but you can also shine them at or towards your kids throughout the night. Bounce the light of a house or the ghost in white. Use the flashlight to illuminate their faces where extract light is needed. If a flashlight isn’t an option for ya, find pockets of light that are available to you. Porch lights, street lights or even the headlights of oncoming cars. Have fun! The last and most important tip is to just have fun! Don’t worry about getting the perfect posed shot — the kids aren’t concerned with pictures, they just want their candy. Plus you can see more of their personality if you just let them do their thing. Try getting down on their level, seeing what they see. Capture all the tiny details, like the fact that their shoes untied or that their hat keeps falling off their head, and most importantly, don’t forget to take pictures of them stuffing their faces when the nights has ended!
Creative lighting for your pumpkins - Whether you are photographing pumpkins for fall, Halloween or even Thanksgiving, it’s easy to get creative with lighting for your pumpkins. Halloween spooky Want something a little dark and dramatic, possibly even spooky try a beauty dish on the lowest setting, but at least 5-6 feet away (2 meters). This creates deep shadows and soft highlights. I also added some candles as ambient light as well. The fake cobwebs and spiders together with the skeleton cat create a spooky Halloween-style image. The lighting is basically Rembrandt lighting, but with deep shadows and no reflected light. Dark & moody fall creative lighting for your pumpkins If you are looking for something a little dark and moody to celebrate fall, try shooting in the shadows. A super creative effect is to light a small scene (it will not work so well with a bigger scene) with a candle and use a reflector to bounce a little light back into your scene. It’s kind of like the old-style lamps that used to expand the light from the candle by reflecting it on shiny surfaces. There is also some ambient light in the room, but the reflector was blocking any natural light from directly touching the image. Even in natural light, you can stick to the shadows to create soft shadows and a flat highlight. I have an area behind my house which has the most wonderful light in the afternoon and lots of junk; old ladders, work tables and such, great for creating some simple country-style fall images. Soft & dreamy Soft diffused natural light is best to achieve a soft and dreamy look. Whether it’s a fall celebration look or a Thanksgiving dinner, set the scene with some sheer curtains placed in front of a window and place your table in front of it. The play of light and shadow through the sheer curtains can make for lovely soft images, with some added interest. In the pulled-back behind-the-scenes shots, I used a silver reflector (camera left) to bounce some more light back into the shadows of my scene. This really is a must when shooting into natural light (behind your scene) as it can cause unwanted shadows on the front of your scene with this reflected light. Of course, if you want to increase the moodiness and keep the shadows, simply remove the reflector. Mix things up How about those cheap LED lights on a copper wire? They can add some cool illumination to your pumpkins and scene. Don’t forget that the pumpkin does NOT have to be the star attraction. It can be secondary, adding an overall feel to the story you are trying to capture. I even fed the LED on a copper wire into a vase and used that to add subtle lighting. A bit of a twist on the Jack-o’-lantern. Whichever way you use creative lighting to photograph your pumpkins this fall, have some fun with it. Especially if it’s spooky Halloween Jack-o’-lanterns.
Looking for ideas for Halloween-themed photoshoots? - Are you looking for some fun ideas to photograph some spooky Halloween themed shoots? Why not grab some friends — and I do mean a few. This can be thrown together quite quickly if you’re organized enough. You would be amazed at what you can create with a little thinking outside the box. Where to start Pick a date and a location. People spend so long thinking up a theme that they simply run out of time. But it’s the location and a date and time to suit everyone — that’s the key to it all. It could be a park, someone’s house or garage … or does someone own a studio? It really is amazing what can be achieved with a blank white wall and some creative thinking. A green or gray screen can really work as well. Pick your crew This may sound a little harsh, but pick your crew wisely. Pick people you like and know you can work well with is a must. But also think about people who are creative, and think on their feet. Think about who may have items that are portable and usable; lights (even a studio), backdrops and such. Limit to 10 photographers. It’s still like herding cats but any more than 10 people becomes unmanageable. On our group sessions, everyone who shoots puts money into a central fund. We limited it to $50 per photographer. We could then buy backdrops, costumes and props. We often have enough left over for sandwich platters for lunch on the day. Pick a Halloween theme This is where too many chiefs can really make things a nightmare. Pick something simple. I love to work on well-known favorites and then twist them around and make them my own; childhood fairy tales, movies and TV shows. This is also good because people often know the theme and it makes it easier to work with. Some ideas for Halloween themes include “The Addams Family” or “The Munsters,” books like “It” (Stephen King as so many), pirates, ghosts and more. Some of my past shoots have been An Addams Family Wedding, 1920s Speakeasy Gangster shoot, Goldilocks (gone bad), and Alice in Wonderland. The list really is endless. Either pick something and get everyone else excited about it, or pick two or three and put it to a vote. But have a strict deadline on the deciding day. Choose your subjects Once you have a location, a crew and a theme, it’s time to start looking at subjects. The biggest shoot I did had 10 models, which required A LOT of costumes and makeup, but was still manageable. If this is your first group project stick to three or four; ask family and friends. You would be surprised who says yes to this sort of shoot, where a normal portrait shoot they would never do. Ask on TFP Modeling sites, some people will jump at the chance to get some extra photos for their portfolio. If you regularly work with models, I am sure they are only too happy to get gory and bloody for the fun of it. If they can do their own hair and makeup or can even bring someone on board, that’s a bonus too. Select backgrounds and props There are some cheap printed vinyl backdrops available online that can hang from a standard backdrop frame. But a white wall can work just as well. With so many people as subjects and crew, get everyone to hunt around for props. Pretty much everything from “The Addams Family” shoot we found or borrowed, including the wedding dress. There are always stores that are selling off bits and pieces for Halloween parties and decorations, especially at this time of year. Having a budget to play with is a great way to collect some key pieces as well. Some great, cost-effective props include red food dye, fake blood, fake cobwebs, candles, smoke machines and dry ice. Print off creepy poison labels and stick them on old bottles and fill with colored water. Spray paint fake flowers. Even though this is not a paid or even a professional shoot, try to keep it professional. I ALWAYS have a model release. I always expect everyone to be polite and respectful on set, especially when there are so many people involved. Think of this as a fun day out with friends — a learning exercise. You can always learn something about your craft on a shoot like this, especially if you have more experienced photographers involved. Some of my favorite Halloween shoots were shot on white or black bedsheets. Just throw in a little Photoshop magic. It truly is wonderful to work on something a little bit creepy, spooky, or gory and to share with a few friends. It makes for a wonderful day.From all of us at Photofocus, we wish you a Happy Halloween!
Lead photo by Julia Raasch on Unsplash
