Project 13: Spirit Photography


Spirit photography dates back to the mid-1800s, when photographers like William H. Mumler claimed to capture images of ghosts alongside living people. These photos often showed faint, translucent figures hovering near the subject—usually deceased loved ones. While many of these images were later revealed to be clever manipulations or double exposures, they sparked public fascination and influenced both spiritualism and photographic art. Today, spirit photography is a creative way to explore mood, mystery, and storytelling through visual effects.




Objective:

Create a ghostly self-portrait using photography and Photoshop techniques to simulate a spirit or apparition appearing in a scene.

Overview:

In this assignment, you will explore the artistic and technical process of creating a “spirit photograph.” Inspired by historical ghost photography and modern digital manipulation, you’ll combine a scene photo with a ghostly version of yourself to create a surreal, haunting image.

What You’ll Do:

1. Scene Photo
  • Create a setting where your ghost will appear (e.g., hallway, classroom, forest, etc.).
  • Take a well-composed photo of the scene using our cameras.
2. Ghost Portrait
  • Use the studio setup provided in class to photograph yourself against a black background.
  • I will set the flash and camera settings for optimal results—you just need to pose and shoot.
  • Think about body language, facial expression, and clothing to enhance the ghostly effect.
3. Photoshop Composite
  • Import both images into Photoshop.
  • Use layer blending, opacity adjustments, and masking to insert your ghost image into the scene.
  • You’ve done similar work before with double exposures—use those skills here to create a convincing spirit effect.

Requirements:

  • Final image must include both the scene and your ghost image.
  • Use Photoshop tools to blend the ghost image naturally into the scene.
  • Submit your final composite as a JPEG or PNG file.
  • Include a short reflection (3–5 sentences) on your creative choices and process.

Tips for Success:

  • Think about lighting and shadows—your ghost should feel like it belongs in the scene.
  • Experiment with transparency and blur to make your ghost look ethereal.
  • Avoid making the ghost too solid or too faint—aim for balance.