How to learn to levitate objects? Tutorial. How to Take a Photo with Levitation Planning and Creative Control

10.09.2021

Lesson details:

Complexity: for beginners
Equipment: camera, tripod, chair and model
Completion time: 30 minutes
Software: Photoshop or another editor that supports working with layers.

If you're wondering how to bring a little magic to your next photo, today's tutorial should help you do just that. With creative planning and some simple post-processing, we'll create a photo that seems to defy the laws of physics.

Planning and creative management

Before we dive into capturing our levitation images, let's discuss how we can create this effect. If you think this requires Hollywood magic or advanced Photoshop skills, I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is to do.

To photograph levitation, we'll shoot our model standing on a chair, and then remove that chair in the processing phase. It's a simple process with amazing results.

This is another image taken during the creation of this tutorial. The magnificent shadow created by the bright sun enhances the levitation effect. Although the effect is unique, the work to create it is quite doable even for novice photographers.

Choosing a Shooting Time

I worked with my friend Forrest Lane to create these images. Forrest is a talented photographer who can bring most creative ideas to life. When we planned this shoot, we knew that the best results would come on a sunny day, when the model's body would cast a shadow. This would enhance the floating effect and sense of depth. We chose two days to shoot and the sunny images definitely came out better.

We will combine these two images to create a levitation frame. We need to capture the view without the model and the chair, and then add them in in the second frame.

To get the final image, we will need to shoot two frames and combine them at the editing stage. Using a tripod is extremely important for this technique. The two images must be perfectly aligned. The process is quite simple, and if you have rough plan, shooting the two frames we need will only take a few minutes.

As we already mentioned, you should initially use a tripod. This makes it much easier to ensure that the images are aligned at the shooting stage, rather than trying to match them later in the post-production stage.

The first of these images should show the environment without a model or support. By doing this, we prepare the canvas for further work. I recommend doing a little rehearsal by placing your model where you want her to be, and then removing everything from the background.

The first frame shows the background view only. We will be removing the chair from the frame later, and for this process we will need to use a background.

Once you've captured the overall look, add the model on the chair. For added visual intrigue, ask your model to do something interesting with her body. Unbalanced and dynamic poses will help grab the viewer's attention. You can try shooting a person with his arms outstretched and his leg raised above the chair.

Be careful with angles

One thing Forrest noted while filming was that it was impossible to shoot from a very low angle. Imagine that you are sitting on the floor and looking up at someone standing on a table. You won't see his feet or legs. The same goes for the chair.

To avoid the low angle problem, make sure your camera is positioned higher than the top of the chair. You can set up the tripod right next to the chair if you need to understand the lowest possible height.

By using the lowest angle possible, you will exaggerate the height of the person, so the floating effect will only be enhanced. Conversely, if you shoot from a high point, you may not be able to show that the person is not grounded.

Two images later, we had everything we needed to assemble the levitation shot. The creative component of the process is limited only by your vision.

Post-processing

It would be great to compile this shot completely in-camera, but some post-processing is still required to get the result right. Using a tripod is about to pay off. If you did everything correctly, the only difference between the two shots should be the presence of the model and the chair.

Even if you are not an expert in Photoshop, you can handle the processing stage in this lesson quite easy, it only requires basic knowledge. One concept that is important to understand is the layer system in Photoshop. Many beginners get tired of managing layers, but we only need two to recreate the desired effect. If you have another graphics editor that allows you to work with layers, you can, of course, try working in it.

To begin, open both images in Photoshop. After that, you will need to combine them in one file as two different layers. Let's take a closer look at this process.

We need to place the image with our model on top, so go to it, select everything and copy. You can go to the Select menu and choose All, then Edit > Copy to capture the image. Then paste it over the background image.

The image shows how you should arrange the layers. Keep in mind that after this operation is completed, the background layer with a blank appearance will be hidden behind the top layer.

Make sure the image without the model is on the bottom layer, and with the model on the top layer. Remember that we want to use a photo from general view like a canvas for an image. Make sure the layers are aligned with each other. Now we need to remove the chair.

Using layer masks is like cutting a window into the bottom layer.

I use layer masks in Photoshop to make the process easy and not cause any damage to the visual information. To add a layer mask, go to the Layer menu, select Layer Mask and then Reveal All. This will add a layer mask. You won't notice a change in the image, but if you look in the Layers panel, you can see that there is a white box showing to the right of the layer preview.

In this photo you will find a layer mask in the list of layers. The image will not change, but if you see changes in the list of layers, then you did everything right.

With the added layer mask we can paint over the chair very easily. Using layer masks is practically cutting a window into the bottom layer. Select the brush tool and make sure you paint with black.

You can change the brush size and edge hardness to get the right result. This can be a little tedious, but since we're using a layer mask, no mistake will be irreparable. All we have to do is switch the brush color to white and we can restore the original look.

After applying the layer mask, the bulk of the work in this tutorial is “painting” the chair. We use a white layer mask with a black brush to paint over the top layer, and now the background layer shows through.

If your brush is simply leaving black spots on the image, then you are no longer working with the mask itself. In the Layers panel, make sure you click on the white box and then you will be working on the mask again. Selecting the layer mask and working directly on it is very important.

Some photographers would argue that simply erasing the top layer with an eraser is an easier way to achieve the same effect, but I prefer the non-destructive capabilities of layer masks. If we make a mistake, it is much easier to correct it, even if we did not notice it right away. So I settled on layer masks.

The final image shows our model floating. The sun provides shadow that really enhances the effect, highlighting the space between the model and the ground and giving the shot a sense of depth.

In just a few minutes you can paint over the chair. We encountered a slight problem when using our chair, as the softness of the top cover caused the model's shoes to "sink" into the seat. It covered the bottom of the boot. Again, techniques like this require constant practice and a lot of experimentation to achieve perfect results. To eliminate this problem in your own shoot, simply use a chair or a rigid ladder.

Summing up

This technique uses a combination of care in filming and precision in post-processing to create an effect that can truly capture the imagination of your viewers. With some planning and simple processing, you can achieve what appears to be a complex image.

Have you tried this technique for levitation photography? Tag us in the comments to let us know what you think about it.

Continues to introduce our readers to the most fabulous genre of photography.

So, levitation... The topic in photography is not new, but in my opinion it is not yet so “hackneyed” that you wouldn’t stop paying attention to yourself and try to reveal it even more, perhaps by introducing something of your own, individual and characteristic. your shooting style.

For those who are not familiar with this concept, a short excerpt from Wikipedia:

“Levitation (from the Latin levitas “lightness, lightness”) is a mental or physical phenomenon in which an object without visible support floats in space (that is, levitates) without touching a solid or liquid surface. Levitation is not considered to be flight accomplished by repulsion from the air, as in insects or birds. In religion and mysticism, levitation is understood as the ability to supernaturally overcome gravity without additional devices.”

I have been fascinated by this topic for quite a long time and periodically in my works I force models to break away from reality and forget about earthly gravity. I started filming levitation correctly not so long ago. At first I simply photographed the model and already at the processing stage I came up with some idea for my work. Of course, this is much more difficult than filming everything correctly in the first place. Today I will try to talk about some of the nuances of creating such works.

I want to start with the shooting technique. Everything is quite simple, but if you want your photos to turn out realistic and “catchy” the viewer’s eye, then you need to put in a little more effort and imagination than just combining a couple of frames in Photoshop.

So, the first thing is shooting. Of course, ideally during a photo shoot it would be possible to hang the model on special slings, but, for example, I was never given such an opportunity. I highly recommend taking a tripod with you when shooting, but having one is not as important as some tutorials describe.

Using two of my photographs as an example, I will tell you how I worked on the levitation effect and share some secrets.

In this picture, the girl (model Alena Vodonaeva) seems to be hanging in the air. I wanted to convey not the flight, but precisely that moment before the flight, when there is still some connection with the surface of the earth, but there is no longer gravity. It seemed to me that the model should be “connected” with some object, in this case it was a bench that fit well into the overall interior.

Initially, I shot the original shot, without the model and the bench. Then my assistant and I tried to place a support under the leg of the bench, which allowed it to stand the way it is located in the picture; later, by combining two frames in Photoshop, I removed the support. After that, we put the model on the bench and tried to support it in the angle in which it should have stood according to my idea. But one single moment crashed everything planned. If the model actually stands on a bench, it means that her feet will in any case be somewhat pressed into the surface, and, accordingly, the weightlessness effect will be immediately lost. According to my idea, the model should only slightly touch the surface with its fingertips on which it stood a moment ago. This effect can only be achieved by hanging the model on special slings. Then I simply shot the girl in a separate frame, but against the background of the same gray wall and with the same lighting, and then I simply cut it out and put it where I wanted. Accordingly, the main difficulty was to cut out the model well and “fit” it into the main background. Here it was not so difficult to do this, because the model was initially shot with the necessary lighting. In the end, I slightly modified the light coming from the window, added steam and worked on the model's dress. I put it together piece by piece from photographs of the same set. I often lack one frame, so to create works in the fine-art style, I initially shoot a lot of source materials.

The other job (main photo) was even easier. First, the interior shot was shot. Then I put a stool on the bed and the model lay down on it the way we came up with. Yes, only two frames were combined in Photoshop, but at the time of post-processing I had to painstakingly refine those details that were “cut off” along with the stool. It was necessary to correctly “bend” the model’s back, remove unnecessary shadows, and carefully draw the hair on a graphics tablet. I added an element of some mystery with the clouds, which, like the model, “hovered” over the bed.

As you can see, quite a lot of work was done, especially at the post-processing stage, so I can immediately dispel the myth that to shoot levitation you only need a tripod and combining a couple of frames in Photoshop.

And in conclusion, I want to say that it is important not to forget about the creative side, about your individuality, and be sure, in addition to the levitation effect itself, to create your own image, your own picture, the author of which will be recognizable.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly? Float in the air without worrying about gravity?) Photography and basic knowledge of Photoshop allow you to turn your dreams into reality!

What do we need?

A good and beautiful place, preferably flat and spacious.
A beautiful model with long hair to further enhance the effect. Light dresses and skirts are welcome - anything that blows well in the wind)
Assistant, and preferably male.
an aburet that would serve as a support.
Camera and tripod.
Basic knowledge of Photoshop.

Where to look for inspiration and ideas?

Most of the works presented are the work of photographer Ravshaniya, she shoots for magazines and works with many celebrities.

Okay, the first point is there.

How to choose a place?

Depends on your idea. I wanted something unusual, magical + model Ilnara had a stunning turquoise dress - a good combination would be with green, so we chose the forest. We drove around, asked around, looked around - and stopped in a small clearing in the forest. Many people want to show an ordinary, homely atmosphere - the choice is obvious - either at home with natural light from the window (just so that the sun does not shine through the window), or an interior studio.

How to choose a model?

I was lucky with this - my friend is a model) But in general, for the first time, I would recommend trying to implement this idea with a person with whom you know and are on good terms - it will be more comfortable for everyone, and even if it doesn’t work out, there will definitely not be a scandal :) If If you don’t have such acquaintances, then you can search in the group on VK - Models and Photographers of Tatarstan, there is an album with aspiring models who may agree to TFP.

Why do you need an assistant?

If you want to do something more complicated than a “model standing on a chair”, then you need it - if possible, it will support the model’s arms, legs, or a stool, in general, for stability and versatility of poses)

After we arrive on site and are ready to work, we choose a location and angle. We install the camera on a tripod and switch it to manual focus mode. It is important!

Focus on the model
The model leaves the place
Taking a photo of the background

This is done so that we have a photo of the background where we will then insert the model, and it is very important that the focus is on the place where the model will subsequently levitate.

As you can see, the trees in the background are a little blurry, as it should be.

My camera settings:

Aperture f/4.5
Shutter speed 1 ⁄ 200
ISO 250
Focal length - 35mm (fixed)

Now comes the hard part- setting up the model. In this case, we managed to maintain balance on two stools:

Make sure that the clothes fall freely, so that stools do not show through, so that all parts of the body are visible - for this it is best to take several photographs, changing the location of supporting objects. My mistake was that the stool is clearly visible through the dress, and even in Photoshop I couldn’t completely remove it(

Treatment. Everything here is quite simple - collaging. We open our background in Photoshop, insert a photo with the model there and erase (with an eraser or using masks) the stools and everything unnecessary that supports the model. We erase all the mistakes where the joints are visible, do not forget about the shadow - it should be as if the model was in zero gravity. That's all) This is what I received:

And here are some experiments and behind-the-scenes) Thanks to Ilnara for her perseverance, mosquito resistance and understanding, Albert for his support in every sense of the word and Vera for the awesome make-up!)

A levitating man is one of those photo tricks that, when you look at it, you ask the question, “How is that?” The answer is surprisingly simple - real skill lies in proper preparation.

To create the effect of levitation in a photo, we need two shots: one with the model on a stable support, the second - an empty scene. Both photos must be perfectly aligned.

In fact, working with the camera is as easy as shelling pears - set up a tripod and take two pictures. Then we combine them together, which is a fairly simple task even for those new to Photoshop.

But then it will just be effect for the sake of effect. It is important to create an atmosphere in the composition. This is the only way to attract the viewer's attention. The visuals look interesting, but the story is much more compelling. This can be done using different techniques: atmospheric lighting, proper placement of composition elements, a creative and extraordinary approach to work, thoughtful poses, the use of additional props - all this can improve the result. You can even take advantage of the weather. A few shots later we had to put the work on hold due to a downpour, but the resulting photo has drops with beautiful rim light and highlights that add to the atmosphere of the composition.

Levitation trick

With the help of special props and a little magic, you can create a floating man.

1. Tripod

Shots for this effect must be perfectly aligned, so it is important to use a fixed tripod. The position of the tripod also plays a big role - lower it lower to emphasize the distance between the person and the ground.

2. Strong support

The model should lie on a strong support in a floating position. We used a folding workbench for this, but a regular chair, ladder or armchair will work too. Use what is available to you.

3. White space

Along with a photo of the main subject, we will need a photo of an empty scene without a model or support. For the result to look realistic, the camera settings (exposure and focus) must be the same in both photos.

4. Rear light

Night time and dark lighting will add atmosphere. Besides car headlights, we also used two flashes. One is in the background on the right, and the second is on the left in front of the model.

5. Clothes

Clothing can make or break a composition, especially where the body meets the support. Clothes should float as freely as possible and not look wrinkled. Tuck any overhanging fabric around the edges of the support or secure it with thread and clips.

6. Manual focus

After setting the focus on your model, switch to manual focus so it doesn't change from shot to shot. But do not forget to reconfigure it if the position of the model or tripod changes.

Step by step creating the floating effect

Using a mask, we combine two photos in Photoshop to add a levitating man.

No photo of an empty stage?

Even if you didn't take a separate photo with an empty scene, we can still get the effect we want, as long as there is enough background detail to hide the prop. We took these photos in the pouring rain, so we only had time to take a few shots with strange poses. But later it turned out that for the most successful shot there was no corresponding photo with an empty stage (we moved the camera while shooting). The solution was simple - hide the prop in Photoshop using the clone tools and the healing brush.

1. Copy the photo

Open both images (with the model and the empty scene) in Photoshop. Go to the document with an empty scene, then to the layers panel Window-Layers(Window - Layers). Right click on the layer Background(Background) and select DuplicateLayer(Create a duplicate layer). In the menu window that appears Destination(Destination) select the document with the model and click OK.

2. Add a mask

We return to the first document with the model and see two layers in the layers panel. Select the top layer, hold down the Alt key and click on the button AddLayerMask(Add Layer Mask) at the bottom of the Layers panel. As a result, a completely black mask will appear on the layer and its contents will be completely hidden.

3. Hiding the support

Now we use white to restore part of the background and hide the support. Let's take it BrushTool(B) (Brush). Press the D key to switch the foreground color to white. Right-click on the work canvas and zoom out Hardness(Hardness) to 0%, then drag along the support to partially restore the empty scene layer.

4. Finalizing the mask

We zoom in on the document (Ctrl+) and continue to refine the mask. If you have restored too much of the background, then press the X key to switch to black and hide the excess. Using the ] and [ keys you can adjust the diameter of the brush, and holding down the Shift key will draw a perfectly straight line.

5. Remove excess from clothes

At the bottom of the layers panel, click on the button to create a new layer. Let's take it CloneStampTool(S) (Stamp) and on the top panel switch its mode to SampleAllLayers(All layers). We bring closer the place where the clothing touches the support. Hold down the Alt key and take a suitable sample of clothing, then paint over the extra details or add new ones.

6. Color correction

Finally, if necessary, we refine the colors. For work like this, we prefer to use the Camera Raw filter. Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E to merge all layers, then apply Filter- CameraRaw(Filter - Camera Raw). On the tab Basic(Basic) adjusting shades, adding contrast and clarity. When finished, click OK.

Floating clothing or a cape helps emphasize the feeling of weightlessness and movement, especially if positioned correctly before shooting. Translucent materials, like in the third tip, look impressive if illuminated by a back light source, for example, from a window.

2. Reflections

Try to add reflections to your composition as they help ground the subject and avoid the unrealistic appliqué effect that these types of works sometimes have. As an alternative to reflections, you can have the model lightly touch the ground or "put" your foot on a wall, for example. In general, create a point of contact between the model and the objects of the composition. The effect will be the same as with reflection.

Levitation is the ability to float in the air, overcoming the force of gravity of the Earth, without using any devices for this and without pushing off from the air, like a bird or insect. The ability to levitate without forces compensating for gravity is completely and categorically denied modern science. But it should be noted that scientists are still unable to explain many phenomena. For example, the phenomenon is still considered to be a hallucination rather than a real natural phenomenon. But this is also levitation.

It is difficult to accept the idea of flying

It is difficult for representatives of science to admit that there are things that they do not yet understand. It is easier to believe that numerous witnesses to levitation were subjected to hypnosis, rather than seeing it with their own eyes. How to learn levitation? This question plagues many mediums, magicians and parapsychologists. Such an ability serves as evidence of the supernatural. The phenomenon itself is of a magical or divine nature. Both in Christianity and in many Eastern religions, levitation is mentioned as a sign of God, his appearance on earth. If a mere mortal, not distinguished by holiness, soars, then the church believes that this is a sign of demonic possession.

First flights

The first human levitation was recorded in Europe in 1565. Then a Carmelite nun flew, canonized. Another 230 monks saw this. The flight did not surprise them at all, since Teresa was a saint. The famous Italian Joseph Deza also soared. He was able to levitate only in a state of religious ecstasy. So that flying would not confuse the minds of believers, he was exiled to a monastery, where he died.

Among the Russian levitants, the most famous is Seraphim of Sarov, Archbishop of Novgorod and Pskov. In the 60s of the 19th century, the famous medium Home demonstrated the miracle of levitation. He was excommunicated from the church because he was not a saint, and therefore did not have the right to practice levitation. Home took students who wanted to learn how to levitate. Unlike many predecessors and followers, he could not be caught by the hand and convicted of using some kind of hidden mechanisms to soar in the air. To this day, records have survived only of those soaring who were blessed by the church (not counting Home). It is impossible to count how many sorcerers there were.

The issue of flights is affected by a variety of practices

Yoga deals with the issues of levitation, a set of ancient mental and physical practices. The Indian Vedas contain instructions on how to learn levitation. The problem is that no one can translate this instruction from Sanskrit. Nobody knows this language thoroughly. And in such practices, distortion of the original meaning is unacceptable. Moreover, for the ancient Indian sages, the state of levitation is not a trick for spectators, but simply a convenient position for self-contemplation. Just like that, as a matter of course.

In Tibet, the founders of the practice of levitation were the monks of the Shaolin Monastery. They have mastered the art of controlling the energy of the body. What can we say about Buddha? He generally hung in the air for hours. In India and Tibet this skill has survived to this day. Buddhists believe that knowledge of how to learn to levitate is only available to very highly developed spiritually people. This is the level of monks, for whom time and distance no longer have any meaning. They don't even need to eat or drink. The Tibetan sages do not answer how many years it takes to master the skill, since, according to their worldview, a person lives forever, one life ends and another begins. Life is such a small thing compared to comprehending the great Mystery about the structure of the world.

Illusionists love to surprise people with their flights

Human levitation is everyone's favorite topic known to the world magicians. In 2010, Chile celebrated the country's 200th anniversary. Chilean illusionists, twins Nicolas Luisetti and John Paul Alberry, hovered above the ground for almost 7 hours, or more precisely 200 minutes. Traffic on the streets of the capital was paralyzed. Thousands of people watched this magnificent show, but no one was able to unravel the trick.

In 2011, a British magician walked along the Thames directly opposite the House of Commons. With his trick, he reproduced a famous episode from the Bible. A very questionable act from the point of view of the feelings of believers. In 2009, a graduate of the local school of fine arts, Claudia Pacheco, or, as she calls herself, Princess Inca, hovered over the central square of the capital of Peru, Lima. The Zambian magician Kalas Sviba demonstrates the levitation trick quite often. Moreover, he is already good at hovering, but not yet very good at flying. That's why he's a regular customer medical clinics. He often goes there with fractures or bruises.

Why do you dream about flying?

Our distant ancestors believed that if a person dreams of floating in the air, it means he is growing. Children often have this dream. If an adult dreams of flying, then spiritual growth, creative growth, and inner enlightenment await him. According to another version, such a dream means a desire to escape from pressing problems. If a healthy person dreams of flying, then he will live happily ever after, and if a sick person dreams of it, then he will soon leave this world. Soaring up predicts career success, down - vice versa. Flying in tandem with a representative of the opposite sex is a new, vibrant love relationship.

Is levitation possible?

Soaring training is gaining in modern conditions great popularity. In our country, so-called schools of magic are appearing like mushrooms after rain. They promise, among other things, to teach levitation. Maybe they'll teach you. In any case, they won't do much harm. It also became fashionable to go to Tibet or travel around India for Knowledge. They live in Indian ashrams for months, learn to meditate, improve themselves spiritually and physically, and comprehend

Flight training

Levitation will need to be carried out with the help of conscious control of the energies that are present in the body. In order to learn how to levitate, you need to completely relax and close your eyes. You need to concentrate and stand up straight. All attention should be directed to the legs. You should feel the weight of your body as strongly as possible and only then try to lighten it.

At the moment when you begin to feel completely light, you need to create a feeling as if something is placed under your feet, which gradually begins to rise up with you. In order to move in different directions, you just need to imagine the pressure. For example, to fly forward you need to feel that someone or something is pushing you in the back. This levitation technique, even if it doesn’t teach you how to soar in a fairly short period of time, will definitely allow you to fully relax after a hard day at work.

All tests can be started on scales to see with your own eyes how your body weight decreases.

Finally