40 DigitalSLR Photography Ma y 2019
4
COMPOSITIONPlay around with the aperture and position of the
frame but try to have it so that its centre overlaps with part of
the subject and the subject overlaps with an area of interest in the
background. It works particularly well if you later reveal a focal point or
a continuation of the background within the frame, such as a vanishing
point or a tree line, to make the illusion obvious.3
CAMERASETTINGSYou will want an attractive, soft background that
highlights the subject but with still enough depth-of-field for
elements in the background to be identifiable. Start in aperture-priority
mode with a setting of f/3.5 to 5.6 (ISO 100). If you fill the frame with the
subject you may need to stop down the aperture; or open the aperture
if you move further away to get your preferred depth-of-field.1
LOCATIONANDLIGHTINGThis may be one of the most important
factors for this shoot. The best images are those where the frame
intersects with the horizon, continues the scene into the distance or
divides a prominent focal point in the background. You’ll ideally want
an overcast day so that the lighting doesn’t change between shots
(as above), but if does you’ll need to work fast so the shadows align.2
CAMERASET-UPYou will need to set your camera on a tripod so that
the images of the background and subject are identical and there’s
no risk of you moving between shots. It’s best to use manual focus or
to switch to manual focus once you’ve taken your shot of the subject
using autofocus. Doing so means your camera’s focus will be locked
andit won’t hunt for a new focus pointwhen the subject steps aside.F/6.3 F/3.5A
FEWYEARS AGO,18-year-oldphotographerLauraWilliams,
from Cambridge, burst onto the photography scene with her
conceptual portrait ‘invisible’. It showed her holding an ornate
mirror creating the illusion of being able to see straight through her.
It wentviralacrosstheinternetand,sincethen,inspiredvariations
havecroppedupalloverforumsleavingviewerswondering:is it done
in-cameraorPhotoshop?Well, it’s a mixture that relies on good
cameratechniqueaswellasaccurateretouching.Yoursubjectneeds
toholda ‘frame’in frontofthem,alignedtoalsoframeinterestbehind
them.Anything that allows interaction from the subject and creates a
simple shape for easy selection in Photoshop can work (see panel) as
you’ll be taking two photographs – one of the subject and one of the
background – then blending them in processing. Here’s how...USINGFOUND OBJECTS
If youprefernottocarrymirrorsorframeson
locationandtoshoot‘onthefly’,lookforother
means to divide up your image frame. Something
as simple as shooting through diamond rail
fencing or two large sticks can work. The image
looks more impressive if you can remove
multiple areas, like you would with the fence,
or if there’s space around an open-ended frame
so the background flows into the frame.Tot a l tr a n sp a re n c y