Is it possible to create a vibrant, colorful studio background out of thin air? Surprisingly, the answer is yes—but only if you’re prepared and understand the magic of back projection through smoke.

Photographer Gavin Hoey walks you through the process step by step. He begins by introducing the key equipment: a data projector and a vivid image displayed from his laptop. From there, he explains why working in a completely dark environment is crucial to making the effect work. Finally, Gavin shares a clever tip on how to transform thick smoke into a soft, atmospheric haze—perfect for enhancing your projected background.