Need Suggestions for Chroma Key Background

[TechKnowBabble]

My new DRebel arrived today and I'm now looking to take some portraits this weekend. I would love to have a chroma key background so editting in another background is not a problem. However I can't seem to find a local place that has it. Any suggestions for perhaps using a particular fabric or paper etc to use temporarily??

Thanks!

Nikki

[CoolToolGuy]

Try calling the local TV stations - perhaps they can put you in touch with someone who supplies it, or knows who does. :wink:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[CyberDyneSystems]

www.rosebrand.com

They are a theatrical supply company in New York that handle all the theatres,. they are best known for fabrics and curtains.. but they really have everything. You can download there catalog in PDF.

They sell all the chroma-key materials, and I believe the catalog has a breif explanationof the differences.

[Mark Kemp]

I just use a light blue.

Its not a proper Chroma Key, but I don't usually have much trouble cutting out subjects from it. I just select by colour on the background with a fairly wide tolerance and then clean up the edges and details.

Plus its a nice colour anyway so sometimes it I leave it.

I don't do much portrait or studio work, so it is fine for my needs and quite a bit cheaper.

So if you can't get a Chroma Key or won't use it very often, try a light blue.

Remember to have a different colour as well just in case someone turns up in a light blue shirt!

[Malaxos1]

I used to use a Chromakey backdrop and ad some great results. I have found it to be extremely difficult sometimes to use. You need a lot of space between the screen and the subject or else the green will bounce back on to the subject. If the subject has light hair it could be a real problem separating them from the background. Also you need to evenly light the screen for it to work right. In the end I sold it and went with a muslin backdrop instead...Dean

[TechKnowBabble]

thanks I will try a light blue, and also maybe the tan muslin as well. Thanks for the input!

Nikki

[MediaMagic]

I have a little pop up backdrop with chroma key green on one side and ck blue on the other. It's 5' x 7' and folds into a disc for storage. It's really nice for quick 1/2 or 1/4 portraits.

As mentioned previously, lighting quality and accuracy as well as subject/background separation is essential. Kicker lights help considerably as they will knock out the green flash back that can get on the subject's hair or white clothing. The use of green or blue is really irrevelant in most cases to satisfactory results. Make sure the subject isn't wearing something close in color to the backdrop color. Blue seems to work easier for light haired subjects.

Results with chromakey is directly proportional to the effort of the setup and post processing.