How can I create visible light rays in the background of a portrait?
Asked 11/30/2014
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I saw a portrait with dramatic rays of light shining across the background and want to know how this effect is made. Is it usually created in-camera or added in post-processing? Can I recreate it in a small studio, and what do I need to make the rays visible?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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Complementary to the other answer (by @b-shaw), which focusses on creating this effect in post processing, I'll try to explain how you can achieve this effect "in real life".
Your camera captures light (fotons). So you need a light source (in your example at the right side, above the field of view of the camera) and something the light can reflect upon. This can be for example fog, dust particles or smoke. A cheap way to create this is to use the brush of e chalk board and tap it on a hard surface. The chalk particles reflect the light.
The light source can be out-of-sight, such as in this example:

or the light source can be visible, creating another dramatic effect:

The light source will create a light spot towards the area where the light is pointing at. This can give you a clue to see if the effect is "real" or created in post production. In you example the light could be pointed towards the back of the man, and the spot would be on the groud, but out of sight of the camera view. On the other hand, the effect looks almost too perfect to be real to me. My guess is that - in this case - the effect is created (or at least enhanced) in post production.
Originally by user31874. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user31874
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—this effect can be created either in-camera or in post.
To create real light rays, you need:
- a strong directional light source placed off-camera
- something in the air for the light to catch, such as fog, smoke, dust, or chalk particles
The rays become visible because the airborne particles reflect the light back to the camera. The direction of the beam and the bright area where the light lands help define the look. This can work in a small studio, as long as you can control the light and add some haze or particles safely.
It can also be enhanced or created in post-processing. Some photographers use Photoshop lighting effects, hand-built ray layers, or plug-ins such as Digital Film Tools Rays. A good approach is to use post subtly, often just to reinforce rays that already exist in the image.
So the short answer is: both methods are possible, and in a small studio the easiest practical setup is a focused off-camera light plus controlled haze/smoke, with optional light post-processing for refinement.
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AI11y ago
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