Trick Photography 101


Trick photography is the process of capturing non-conventional images with the creative use of light, perspective, and depth of field. Trick photography is not (and never will be) a substandard form of photography, because it takes pure skill and technical knowledge to accomplish a decent trick photo.

Trick photography may or may not be accomplished with the help of image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. A skilled trick photographer is capable of producing stunning visual phenomena by using long exposures, strategic angling and, of course, by using different sources of light.

Is it possible for anyone to excel at trick photography? The answer is yes and here’s why:

1. If you already have a DSLR camera, all of the features and settings you need for trick photography are already included in your camera. You just have to know which settings to use and when to use them.

2. The tools that you will need for light drawings, physiograms, and other projects that require long exposures and the creative use of light can be purchased easily from Amazon and other online stores. There is no shortage of LED lights, LED strips, etc.

As long as you’re passionate about photography, and you are willing to learn the ropes, you will excel at this modern take on photography. Some people ask: do you need to know how to use Photoshop and other image editing software before trying trick photography?

If we were to strip down trick photography to what it really is (the creative use of light, angle and other photographic elements), the answer is really no. You do not have to be an expert in editing and enhancing images. However, I will not hide the fact that knowing how to use Photoshop or Paint.NET will help you achieve photographic perfection.

So, here’s a piece of advice from someone who has been dabbling in photography for some time now: focus on photography, and learn image editing as the need arises. Do not focus all your energy on learning how to edit an image after it has been shot. This is a bad habit, and you are not going to develop a good eye when shooting your subjects if you rely too heavily on image editing.

To expedite the learning process, talk to people who already have a lot of experience with image editing software, and make it a habit to read the relevant references, too.

Another important piece of advice that you have to remember is that prior preparation is extremely important in trick photography. If you want to get good results, you have to prepare your light sources and your camera settings before you start shooting photos.

Experimentation is encouraged, but you still need to have a design or blueprint. This way, you will save time and energy when completing your photography projects. Modern DSLR cameras are designed for truly creative pursuits – make it a point to explore the manual settings so you can easily adjust specific values like ISO and white balance when shooting.