You can scan the aisles of shops for Halloween spooks, but they mean nothing until the props are in your own hands, along with a camera or cell phone.
The twilight in your neighborhood can take on sinister tones, your Halloween decor can haunt you, a single candlelight can project mood and atmosphere.
Here's some ways to take spooky shots this season and feel as if you participated in the season with a new eye. Share them on social media. Spread the happiness.
Backyard
If you let the flowers and summer harvest die back, they create fantastic mood and atmosphere, as do fallen leaves, and in the case of my yard - doll heads on display!
Still lifes
Set up some items and pose them in a grouping or in unusual ways.
Shadows
Take notice at night where shadows fall. If you're in a corn maze or standing in line for a haunted attraction (below) you might find some spooky shadow shots.
If your costume is creepy or a recognizable shape, capture your shadow.
Partial Light
In the case of Michael Myers (below), a flashlight shined near the mask made one side light, the other was in the darkness of the outdoors.
In this pic below, I was in the hallway with my mannequin and there was a mirror behind her. I put on the Michael Myers mask, reflected myself in the mirror and took the pic. She remained in relative darkness. The play of light and shadow on her was awesome. Move around a lot to find the right light. I have found candles nearby are usually a great choice.
To get this lighting for my "Bird Lady" makeup (above), I stood in the end of a dark hallway and a bit of street light coming in a picture window light just parts of the face. Sometimes, you have to wander around in the dark to find the light.
Simple single candlelight can give that gothic vibe -
Reflections
Selfies
Expressions of terror or vicious killer outbursts are a start, but creating a setting is ideal.
In this first photo below, I call it "The Terror" because you onder what is going on, what am I seeing and hiding from? What is reflected in my eye (can be done afterwards in Photoshop).
Partial lighting is your friend! Play with it the camera in selfie mode and see if you need to move one direction or another. These were done with candlelight in the room, but I had to move me and the props around to find the right light. (Can be adjusted in Photoshop afterwards too).
Note - some of the creepiest pics involve what's behind you - give a creepy scenario. Here I am with a mannequin I dressed up as Elvira, and another pic with a white craft mask covered in cheesecloth to be a ghost.
Movement
In a low light, move very quickly as you take the shot and you blur - this gives a ghostly effect. This one I call "The Demon"
Some tools to make it creepy -
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