The Light Blaster

The Light Blaster, a Strobe-Based Projector is an emerging technology, enabling more flexibility with photography than before.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

This is a piece of technology I wish I had when was completing a “shadow” assessment last year.  This new piece of camera equipment will let you create new innovative light effects and stunning photo images.  By combining a flash, a lens, and one of many different slides, which you can buy or provide yourself, the Light Blaster lets you project an image into your scene or onto the subject. It looks easy to use and you will need to read the instructions, but you can easily create effects that add to your photo in ways that previously required a lot of imagination, craft skills and clever use of lights.

The Light Blaster is a strong plastic shell that acts as a mount to hold the lens, flash and slide securely in place. You provide a lens and a flash. The lens attaches to the front via an EOS bayonet mount (a Nikon adapter is available). There’s no lock, but it is held firmly. At the back you slide in your flash, which is held in place with a strong leather friction-secured strap, which is adjustable and held in place with velcro. Flashes of many sizes are accepted.

The Light Blaster is well designed and sturdily constructed, and has a metal tripod thread on the bottom in the thickest part of the plastic body so it can be securely mounted on a light stand.  The Light Blaster also comes with a convenient case, which safely holds everything, including space for extra slides and an extra caddy in a small package with a fabric handle.

The Light Blaster can be used primarily in three different ways:

1. Projecting onto the background
2. Projecting onto a model
3. Projecting into the air itself with the aid of a smoke machine

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

In this photo, a pair of wings is projected onto a large wall behind the subject. The low lighting conditions and dark wall enhance the flash projection so it is easily visible.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

In this image the Light Blaster was used to project a simple circle of light onto the backdrop behind the model in this burlesque style shoot for a “stage” feel.  A “snoot” could be used to create a similar effect, however the Light Blaster gives the sharp clean edge, like a stage spotlight.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

Using a random geometric pattern on one of the supplied effect slides of the Light Blaster and a smoke machine you can create light beams.  The shafts of light you see wouldn’t be possible with a single light. It needs to be broken up in order to cast shadows into the smoke.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

Autumn leaves projected directly onto the model and background creates an interesting layers of texture and shadow.  The shadow of the model’s face is filled with a tightly gridded flash to make his whole face visible. Projecting onto the model can be tricky to get right, but the results can be impressive.

Like all new equipment, you will need to use trial and error for the best effects and some experimentation to get the best placement of the image, your model and yourself. You might need to take several shots and make small adjustments each time.   It has been announced that a brand new set of laser-cut metal “slides” are being released for the Light Blaster.

With a good variety of effects slides available from the Light Blaster site, the ability to take any 35mm slide, and even home-printed acetate slides, there is literally unlimited creative potential. You can put any backdrop you like behind your subjects, and transport them to another world. Have a look at the Light Blaster site for more example photos. For under $100, this is a super versatile creative tool to add to your kit. http://www.light-blaster.com

Posted by Alex