How to do Levitation Photography – Shoot and Edit
In this video we will be learning how to do levitation photography by seeing the shooting part as well as the editing part in Photoshop.
If you directly want to skip to the editing part, then skip to 07:01
Here is the video:
Link to the images used in this video for the Photoshop part:
This video is from our Trick Photography course, which has 35 videos and 5 hours of content. Use the link below to access the full course on Udemy:
Video Summary
This video by Creative Pad Media provides a comprehensive tutorial on creating levitation photography using two-shot compositing and Photoshop.
Phase 1: Preparation and Shooting
- Setup: Use a tripod to ensure the composition remains identical between shots [01:55].
- Consistency: Focus on the subject first, then switch to manual focus to lock it for the second “empty” shot [00:52].
- The Pose: Use a stool or chair, ideally hidden by your body or flowy clothing to create the illusion of floating [03:30].
- Execution: Take the first shot with the subject on the support [04:42]. Remove the support and take a second “plate” shot of the empty background [06:11].
Phase 2: Photoshop Editing
- Layering: Import both images into Photoshop and align them [07:33].
- Layer Masking: Instead of using the eraser, use a Layer Mask on the top layer [11:26]. Paint with black to reveal the empty background beneath, effectively “erasing” the chair [12:04].
- Refining Edges: Use the Liquify Filter (specifically the Pucker Tool) to smooth out jagged edges where the support was removed [25:47].
Phase 3: Final Touches
- Adding Shadows: Create a subtle shadow by copying the subject, filling it with black, distorting it, and applying a Gaussian Blur with low opacity [32:32].
- Color Grading: Use the Camera Raw Filter to apply vignettes or vintage filters for a more dramatic, artistic effect [37:33].
- Advanced Tip: Shooting from a lower angle (bottom-to-top) adds more depth and drama to the final image [41:15].
