How To Shoot Fantasy Photos With A Green Screen

Increasingly popular green screen photography is adding a creative new twist to the image of small photography studios, allowing them to provide a service that big corporate photo studios have chosen to overlook.  These small businesses can use green screening, or chroma keying, to get an edge over their competition. Moreover, if your studio can carve out a niche with a specialty such as fantasy photography, you’ll stand out in the vast photography field.  

First, there is a “sword and sorcery” fantasy niche. This includes the well-known game Dungeons and Dragons, and stories such as “Lord of the Rings.” These pictures are shot with the client in an authentic costume, posed in front of the green screen with a suitable weapon, such as a bow and arrow, sword, or wand. Then the photographer adds an appropriate digital background, such as a sensational nature scene or one featuring period architecture, such as a castle. Note: Affix a piece of nylon over the camera lens with a rubber band if the client desires a muted, mystical feel. Instant softness and mystery added.

Another popular fantasy niche is that of science fiction. “Babylon Five,” “Star Trek,” and “Star Wars” are some of the common themes in this genre.
Some interesting choices in this genre would come from Dr. Who, a show that crosses times and dimensions, and steam punk, in which Victorian-era characters operate modern technology. This niche includes thousands of people who love to put on a costume as often as they can (known as “cos-players”) and revel in being photographed. Some ideas for amazing pictures would be: For space travel – like Star Trek – think the observation deck (a large window with a star field behind it) or Ten-Forward cantina (shoot a modern bar for the background). Use the interior of an old Victorian house for a steam punk shot.

Yet another category that can combine elements of the first two is that of fairy tales. The photos feature fairies and other creatures found in these stories. Magical landscapes that relay an air of mystery and a bit of mischief work well for this genre. However, don’t think that fairy tales are only for small children, nor only for cos-players. There’s another unique group who love these particular photos: high school senior girls. Consider shooting their portrait with them in their prom dress, but then placing them in this mystical land. This ensures you provide them with instant magic and joyful memories.

Finally, the last niche which can fit inside of all of these, yet also is all by itself, is that known as Anime and video game cos-play. Ideal areas for these photos would include an indoor or outdoor Asian-inspired area and decrepit locales, such as an abandoned warehouse or remnants of a old civilization.

The most important thing to keep in mind when shooting fantasy photos is that regardless of the strange, outlandish costumes you may use, and regardless of the odd locations your clients want you to create, if you can produce a believable photo you will have plenty of eager clients for many years to come.