Spooky Photography Masterclass for Beginners | MPB

Summary

In this engaging video, horror photographer Kelly Jean shares her creative process while preparing for Halloween shoots in Stockhill Woods. Drawing inspiration from horror films and personal experiences, she emphasizes the importance of meticulous planning, including mood boards and shot lists, alongside spontaneous creativity during shoots. Kelly discusses her preferred equipment and techniques, such as using slow shutter speeds for ghostly effects, and details her post-production methods for enhancing the eerie atmosphere. With practical tips for aspiring photographers, she invites viewers to explore the narrative depth in horror photography.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kelly Jean is a horror photographer inspired by horror movies and her own experiences with nightmares and sleep paralysis.
• 😀 She uses photography as a means to process her mental health, creating a series that explores these themes.
• 😀 Pre-shoot preparation includes creating a mood board and a detailed shot list to ensure she captures all intended frames.
• 😀 Scouting locations in the woods is crucial, as it offers various spots that enhance the horror atmosphere.
• 😀 Communication with models is essential to ensure their comfort, especially when using props like fake blood.
• 😀 She emphasizes the importance of capturing multiple versions of a model for composite images, enhancing the horror effect.
• 😀 For ghostly images, she utilizes slow shutter speeds to create movement and a sense of ethereality.
• 😀 Kelly employs different cameras and lenses tailored to specific shooting conditions, often opting for second-hand lenses to minimize risk.
• 😀 Post-production techniques involve desaturating colors and layering images to create a sense of depth and unease.
• 😀 Top tips for horror photography include maintaining a notebook of ideas and crafting a storyboard to instill a sense of dread in the images.

Q & A

What inspires Kelly Jean's horror photography?

Kelly Jean is inspired primarily by horror movies, particularly folk and cult genres, as well as her personal experiences with nightmares and sleep paralysis.

How does Kelly Jean incorporate mental health themes into her work?

She uses her photography as a means to process her mental health challenges, creating images that reflect her experiences and emotions.

What is Kelly's approach to preparing for a photoshoot?

Kelly meticulously prepares by creating mood boards and shot lists, which helps her ensure she captures all desired frames during the shoot.

Why is location scouting important for Kelly Jean?

Location scouting is crucial for finding the right spots that enhance the horror aesthetic, allowing for diverse and impactful shots.

What camera equipment does Kelly Jean typically use?

Kelly uses a Canon 5D Mark IV for handheld shots and a Canon 6D Mark II for tripod setups, often employing wide-angle lenses for expansive views.

How does Kelly Jean achieve ghostly effects in her photography?

She utilizes slow shutter speeds during shoots to create movement effects, contributing to a ghostly atmosphere in the images.

What techniques does Kelly use in post-production?

In post-production, Kelly adjusts colors to create a desolate feel and employs layering techniques to composite images, sometimes adding elements like fog or removing pupils from eyes for effect.

What types of props does Kelly Jean create or use?

Kelly creates various props, including painted masks and candles, which she integrates into her shoots to enhance the eerie aesthetic.

What are Kelly Jean's top tips for aspiring horror photographers?

She advises maintaining a notebook for ideas to avoid creative blocks and developing a storyboard to ensure the photos convey a narrative of dread.

How can viewers follow Kelly Jean's work?

Viewers can follow Kelly on Instagram and TikTok at kellyjeanhorror and are encouraged to subscribe to MPB's YouTube channel for more content.