Have you ever looked at a dramatic sports portrait and wondered how photographers create that smoky, colorful background?

The good news is it isn’t Photoshop magic.

It’s actually created during the photo session using a few pieces of lighting equipment and a simple setup.

Let’s keep this simple.

The smoke effect starts with your lighting setup

Before you ever add smoke, you need a solid lighting setup.

We use one main light to illuminate the athlete and a second light behind the subject. That back light is what makes the smoke or mist come alive in the final image.

Without proper lighting, the smoke won’t stand out nearly as much.

Use atmosphere aerosol or a fog machine

Our favorite way to create the smoky effect is with Atmosphere Aerosol or a fog machine.

We spray the atmosphere aerosol between the athlete and the back light. As the light shines through the mist, it creates that dramatic fog effect you see in so many sports portraits.

A fog machine works similarly and often creates a thicker effect, but the aerosol is quick, portable, and easy to use on location.

Add color with a deep focus reflector and gels

Want green, blue, red, or purple smoke?

The smoke isn’t actually colored.

Instead, we attach a color gel to the light behind the athlete using a deep focus reflector.

When the light shines through the aerosol or fog, it creates the illusion of colored smoke without needing colored smoke bombs.

It’s simple, repeatable, and much easier to control.

A budget-friendly alternative

If you aren’t ready to invest in atmosphere aerosol or a fog machine, there’s another option.

A simple spray bottle filled with water can create a similar effect.

Spray a fine mist between the athlete and the back light, and you’ll see the light catch the tiny droplets for a dramatic look.

For sports like swimming, even splashing water can create an incredible effect.

Keep experimenting

Every gym and outdoor location is a little different.

Start with one light, one back light, and a small amount of aerosol or water spray.

Once you’re comfortable with the setup, experiment with different gel colors, light placement, and spray amounts until you find a style that fits your sports photography.

Simple tweaks can completely change the final image.

Want to master natural light? 🎥