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Mystical Lighting Tutorial

Achieving mystical lighting effects on your photographs can be done in a number of ways. While many photo artists choose to add mystical or fantasy-style effects to the photograph with editing software, you can achieve a more natural look by using physical lighting that is set up properly before you take the picture. A fog machine is helpful for achieving fantastic photographs and giving your images an ethereal feel, but you must apply the fog correctly, so it doesn't simply look like you've added a fog machine to your photo.

Things You'll Need

3 photo or clip lights
3 light stands
Diffusion gel
Clothes pins
2 pieces white foam core board
Folding chair
Fog machine
Camera that allows lens filters
Tripod

Instructions

- 1
  Select a location for your photograph where you have great control over the lighting. Indoor studios are best, but if you need an outdoor shot, choose an overcast day, so the sunlight is indirect and soft.
- 2
  Fill your fog machine (the kind available at party stores works fine) with fog fluid as the manufacturer instructs, then plug it in and let it warm up.
- 3
  Set your lights on light stands and plug them in. Clip diffusion gel, available at theatrical supply stores, over two of your lights and aim them at your subject, one slightly in front of the subject and one slightly behind, both from the same side and aiming downward from a high angle.
- 4
  Place the third light on the opposite side of the subject, low to the ground and pointing away from the subject. Prop a piece of white foam core board against a folding chair and place it off to the side, so your third light hits the foam core and bounces the beam back onto your subject with a soft, barely discernable light.
- 5
  Set your camera on a tripod at the angle you want for your mystical photograph. Screw a diffusion filter onto the camera lens. You can use a filter that softens the overall look or one that softens the edges and sharpens the center, depending on the mystical effect you are looking for. Remember to step down the f-stop on your camera when using a filter. Most filters require decreasing one f-stop, but check the paperwork that came with your filter in case the manufacturer has a different recommendation.
- 6
  Allow the fog machine to run for about three seconds, with the fog spout pointed toward the bottom of your subject.
- 7
  Fan the fog gently with your second piece of foam core to disperse it into a more natural-looking haze. Start by slowly waving the board directly in the fog to break up the cloud, then pull back and fan the air between you and the fog to move it around. Once the fog is a thin haze, wait for it to risef so it picks up the beams of light that are aiming downward at your subject.
- 8
  Repeat the fog application and dispersion a few times, snapping several shots in a row as the fog disperses each time.

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