On Thursday we had a chat in #HorrorMacabrePhoto on Special FX and tips on photography in general. There was such a wonderful flow and sharing of creative ideas that I want to share it with all of you that were not able to make it. Read below for excerpts and summaries from the chat in a topic-based format. I'd like to really thank all the people that participated and shared their tips, tricks, and thoughts. The below information is truly a compilation of all the amazing creativity we had in the room (very few of the tidbits of this information came from myself directly). There's a lot of amazingly kind people in the horror community that are MORE than willing to share their secrets. If you see an effect that you like, never hesitate to ask

Everything that you need to make blood and Do-It-Yourself type special FX is listed below or linked!!

A couple of general things to keep in mind. It's true that photography is an expensive hobby, but if you just get very creative you'll be able to use things you might already have in your house. The limits to what you can do on a shoe-string budget are entirely defined by your own creativity. Experiment and see what works. Most of the information you'll find below has come from pure experimentation. However, remember to always be safe and careful with what you try out. Don't put toxins near your mouth or eyes and careful with hot lights.. they're hot... and they can start fires.

Blood

Recipe 1:
PVA Glue - School glue, like Elmer's
Red food coloring
Blue/green food coloring
-The great thing about using PVA glue is that if you let it dry, you can just peel it off

Recipe 2:
Corn Syrup/ Golden Syrup / Honey
Red food coloring
Blue/green food coloring
- Edible and if you use golden syrup/honey, it doesn't stain at all - [link]

Recipe 3:
Glycerin
Red food coloring
Blue food coloring

Recipe 4:
Chocolate syrup is great! Cheap-as-shit dark chocolate syrup has a reddish tint when photographed under yellow-toned light (like domestic light bulbs)

Regular makeup

Makeup, when used properly, can sometimes be your greatest tool. Combining different types of eyeshadow and blush can create a variety of effects, from brusing to elaborate and strange features. Black eyeshadow is a favorite tool of some photographers because a great way to make dirt and grime. Also a great tool for making sunken in eyes, deep black circles around the eyes, and to accentuate bone structure so to make a person look emaciated.

The makeup you buy can vary from cheap supermarket makeup to the stuff made by companies like Urban Decay (Urban Decay has amazing high-pigment eyeshadows that show up brilliantly even under photographic lights).

Eyeshadows and regular makeup used

Instant Coffee

A quick and dirty way to create dirt, dried blood, and all sorts of nastiness.
Instant coffee applied to dried Elmer's glue

Latex and Wax

Latex and wax are favorite tools for creating wounds and physical deformations. Latex is of course the most used, but when allergic reactions are a concern, wax can be substituted. This may sound expensive, but you'd be surprised. Latex can be purchased on ebay and when I say wax, I mean dental wax. See links below.
[link]
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[link]

Onion Skin

If you aren't allergic and have it handy, onion skin works great for textures on the human skin. You can use it to create scars.

Mud Masque / Clay

This is the facial mud masque sold at most drug stores. You can use it to create some amazing textures because when it dries, it cracks.

- mud masque, instant coffee, and regular makeup

Flour and other kitchen items

Egg and frosting and flour. What more needs to be said?

- cake frosting and flour

Acrylic Paint

Also used for textures, but be careful... it's paint and not may not be safe for some to use

Toilet Paper

Can be substituted and used to create wounds when latex and wax are not an option. It dries in folds and is actually quite hard and adhesive (as long as it dries on the skin).

Props

Chains can be purchased for cheap at hardware stores.
If you want barbed wire, you can make your own from modeling wire. The great thing is the barbs can be made less sharp with metal snips or cut off altogether to make them look as though they're diging in:
Razor blades- they're VERY easy to cut up and to use for illusions --> [link] and

General Photography tips

If photography lights are too expensive for you budget (as they are for most), construction flood lights and work lights purchased at a hardware store are wonderful!
If you can afford it...the cooling gels rated as "sunlight" tend to make more of the lighter make-up shades show up brightly
Regardless of what lights you use, never leave them unattended and never touch the bulbs with your bare hands hot or cold....especially halogens. The oils of your hands will heat up and explode the bulbs.
If you need a quick and dirty black backdrop, go and buy a black fleece blanket. The color is, duh, black and the fabric absorbs light instead of reflecting it.
Anyone wanting professional lighting without the price should check out inspection lamps (usually halogen), and they are MUCH MUCH LESS than proper lighting
Bathrooms are a great place to shoot, use the shower for taking photos cause the white tiles are great for flash light bouncing around everywhere (and it doesn't matter how much fake blood you spill)
Diffusers are easy to make - a box lined with aluminum foil - hole cut in the bottom to put it over the lamp and tracing paper used to diffuse the light

More Information on Special FX

These links are also listed in the Horror/Macabre Resource Guide
Horror and Macabre Photography FX FAQ and Guide - DIY special FX makeup
Razor Blade Kisses Tutorial
Blood, boils, lipstick and latex. - Create blood and gore special FX in-camera
The Nightmare Collection [Vol. 21 Aftermath] - Excellent resources listed at the end.
Walkthrough finger bite - How to create bite marks
Walkthrough Black eye healing - Want a healing black eye in your photo but don't want to be sued by your models? Well, read this and learn how to make it.
Fake Blood Tutorial - A recipe for fake blood.
Wax Cut Tutorial - Learn to create a gaping wound with just a few tools.
The Nightmare Collection [Vol. 24 Sanguinary] - A discussion of blood
Horror and Macabre Photography Special FX Makeup - A general discussion