Photocyco2000 wrote:
I was talking to an older,wiser photographer the other day who told me about of his use of old film projectors as a source of light on some of his shoots. He explained that they are really cheap on e-bay and that you can focus the light really well and get a similiar result as a light with a snoot on it. He said it works great for hair highlites,low lighting shoot where you want to selectivly light a model. He also said it works well as a background lite because it can sit on the floor and be hidden behind props. Has anyone on Model Mayhem ever tried this?

Slide projectors yes, to project slides they tend to be daylight balanced as well, to mix with strobe, but are not very bright by camera standards.  Dragging the shutter helps.  they also have different lenses on them for different diameter spreads.


Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

Photocyco2000 wrote:
I was talking to an older,wiser photographer the other day who told me about of his use of old film projectors as a source of light on some of his shoots. He explained that they are really cheap on e-bay and that you can focus the light really well and get a similiar result as a light with a snoot on it. He said it works great for hair highlites,low lighting shoot where you want to selectivly light a model. He also said it works well as a background lite because it can sit on the floor and be hidden behind props. Has anyone on Model Mayhem ever tried this?

Yes... and if you actually have slides you can use it to project an image on or across your subject.

Don Spiro wrote:
Any light source is good if it's as bright as you need it to be.

Was he talking 8mm, super 8, 16mm, 35mm or what?

He never specified.

Madcrow Studios wrote:
I just went to a talk at my camera club about night photography and using an old SLIDE projector was actually one of the suggestions made. From what the person suggested, you don't really use it so much as any sort of "normal" lighting, but rather as a big flashlight for purposes of lighpainting for night landscapes with minute-plus exposures...

If you are going to do light painting, especially outdoors, I recommend using a high candlepower marine safety search light.  They are available at boating supply stores and are battery operated.

Dobias Fine Art Photo wrote:

If you are going to do light painting, especially outdoors, I recommend using a high candlepower marine safety search light.  They are available at boating supply stores and are battery operated.

Well, I was just reporting a suggestion I heard last night... Frankly a marine search light DOES sound like a better idea though.

StephenEastwood wrote:

Slide projectors yes, to project slides they tend to be daylight balanced as well, to mix with strobe, but are not very bright by camera standards.  Dragging the shutter helps.  they also have different lenses on them for different diameter spreads.


Stephen Eastwood
http://www.StephenEastwood.com

What if you wanted to incorporate a human subject - but not necessarily have the slide projected on to that subject?  I think it's called front-projection - but I can't quite figure out how it's done.

MaryEliza wrote:
Sounds like a good idea actually.

Yes it does...I may have to steal this idea.

I HAVE used digital video projectors as one of a few light sources during a shoot...

https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pid=5081124  18+

https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pid=5081132  18+

Low Tek Photography wrote:
DVS has used that technique before in a lot of his work. His results are amazing.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=10155

Hey! 

Mine was digital though, but using the same basic technique...thanks for the plug. 

NewBoldPhoto wrote:
Yes... and if you actually have slides you can use it to project an image on or across your subject.

Madcrow Studios wrote:
I just went to a talk at my camera club about night photography and using an old SLIDE projector was actually one of the suggestions made. From what the person suggested, you don't really use it so much as any sort of "normal" lighting, but rather as a big flashlight for purposes of lighpainting for night landscapes with minute-plus exposures...

Would make a great AF-assist.

photodorset wrote:
I did a shoot with a video projection as background. Once I'd got the exposure right I got some great shots. Can't post them here 'cos of the film content!!!

Could you elaborate on the setup for us?

photodorset wrote:
I did a shoot with a video projection as background. Once I'd got the exposure right I got some great shots. Can't post them here 'cos of the film content!!!

Then just put up some links so we can see.

Doug Swinskey wrote:

I think I've seen this image in a book on lighting actually.

Projectors for light source sounds interesting but it sounds more like a harsh direct light rather than a diffused ambient light.

Ken Rieves Photography wrote:
This was shot using an InFocus digital projector as the light source. It was shot on white seamless paper.

Excellent use of lighting and goes back to what I know, photography is the art of capturing light.  Of course someone said better.  Anyhow, I love the photo.  I would have guessed spot lights.

J C ModeFotografie wrote:

What if you wanted to incorporate a human subject - but not necessarily have the slide projected on to that subject?  I think it's called front-projection - but I can't quite figure out how it's done.

Front projection utilizes a special screen which is very highly reflective.  Since you have to adjust your exposure for the background image, the part of the image projected onto your subject is so far underexposed that it doesn't show.  However, the projector also has to be positioned such that the projected image is along the same axis as your camera lens to prevent any shadow being visible from your subject on the front projection screen.  This is usually done with a two way mirror.