Digital Backgrounds?

[georgewdean]

Does anyone use Digital Backgrounds like they sell at backdropoutlet?

You shoot with a green screen and then add backgrounds in photoshop.

Or, is it best to stick with real backdrops?

Thanks,
George

[jjonsalt]

Ever since (a couple months ago) my wife asked me to shoot the students at her school's prom I have been toying with digital backgrounds. I ordered a green ChromaKey backdrop which I hope gets here in time (this Friday). I have already done a shoot where I will be taking the pictures and the solid beige wall I used there made seperating the subject in PS very easy. I have tried several digital backgrounds and they are working out well.

[ShotByTom]

I've only tried a couple of times with my green screen. The problem I have is with lighting, I get some green reflections on the outline of the people in the pictures, I still have a lot to learn.

Here is the only real attempt I've made. This was with two pictures that I took though, not a digital backdrop.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=112161

[jjonsalt]

I've only tried a couple of times with my green screen. The problem I have is with lighting, I get some green reflections on the outline of the people in the pictures, I still have a lot to learn.

Here is the only real attempt I've made. This was with two pictures that I took though, not a digital backdrop.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=112161

Just wondering, do you light the chroma key background?, what method do you use to seperate the subject?

[StealthLude]

Im really big into chromakey. I got a 10x20 foot chromakey backdrop, a good stand, and im working on my alien bees... I was using wireless speedlights with it, but i really want a nice wash of soft light.

When I chromakey, i think its pretty important to have the subject like... 4-6 feet AWAY from the backdrop.. And I light the entire backdrop with a large softbox. Im actually planning on using my AB1600 for the backdrop, and two AB800 for the main lights.

Ever since I started this, ive been pretty tempted to start buying digital backdrops off ebay. I see soo many different people with some clasic to funky lookin digi drops. In the mean time, i started making my own funky ones in photoshop, all you really need to do is apply filter after filter to get what you want. Im good at making thoes HOT SPOT backdrop, by taking the basic color red, then using the lighting effect, along with some other filters in photoshop. If i find a digital backdrop CD i like, im going to buy it. I just want to make sure i can find out with TIFF files and good rez.

All i own right now is the chromakey backdrop.. i dont have any reguar drops.

This is the link of the backdrop stand and green screen I bought off ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7605825013&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Let me know what you think.

[ShotByTom]

Just wondering, do you light the chroma key background?, what method do you use to seperate the subject?

Yes, I light the chromakey, but I don't have good enought lights to do it right. I have one flash and one strobe and I'm still learning.

There are several ways to seperate the subject, but I prefer to paint the subject with the mask function and creata a layer. I've found this works better with hair than using the wand.

[jjonsalt]

Yes, I light the chromakey, but I don't have good enought lights to do it right. I have one flash and one strobe and I'm still learning.

There are several ways to seperate the subject, but I prefer to paint the subject with the mask function and creata a layer. I've found this works better with hair than using the wand.

I use Magic Eraser Tool, Eraser Tool, and Adjustments;Hue/Saturation.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

I've only tried a couple of times with my green screen. The problem I have is with lighting, I get some green reflections on the outline of the people in the pictures, I still have a lot to learn.

Here is the only real attempt I've made. This was with two pictures that I took though, not a digital backdrop.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=112161


If you are getting green reflections from the backdrop the subject is too close. You want to have them further away and light them and the background very well. Your shot looks very nice BTW :)

Here is an attempt of mine. I still have sooooo much to learn with this, but it's a lot of fun.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/1257/img017a1asmall6hd.jpg