PROJECTOR PROJECT

Take a projector outdoors at night and direct images and shapes at the natural world to create amazing artwork

with James Paterson

PROJECT 1

If photography is – as is often said – painting with light, then a projector is like a full set of spray cans. It lets us spray colours and shapes onto any surface. Typically the surface is flat and white, but a projector can be put to more creative uses too. Here, we’ll take our projector into the great outdoors after dark for some otherworldly arty photos. Inspired by the work of Spanish installation artist Javier Riera, we’ll project bold shapes and geometric patterns onto natural and man-made forms.

There are several challenges to overcome. The first is setting up a projector for outdoor use, which requires fixing it to a tripod and arranging a source of power.

Then there’s the practicalities of shooting long exposures in the dark, the preparation of patterns and shapes for the projector, and the strange looks you’re likely to receive from passersby! But it’s worth it for the chance to create images that are unique. Whether projecting spiralling patterns at the moon, shining geometric shapes at a rock formation, or directing spooky figures towards a forest, there are endless opportunities. In this project we’ll explain how it’s done. We’ll look at how to set up your projector and prepare your shots for projection.