Seamless Paper for Chroma Key

[TMR Design]

I want to learn how to use a Chroma Key background and the simplest and least expensive way for me is to get some 53" wide seamless paper like I use now.

While looking at B&H's selection of Savage seamless I noticed that thy didn't have one (either green or blue) that was actually called Chroma Key. They have one that they calling Chroma Key compatible.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/45636-REG/Savage_46_1253_53_x12_yds_Paper_Background.html

Is this going to work or do I need to find one that actually says Chroma Key. Last time I looked I was sure they had it but now I'm just seeing the one that is compatible.

If the one I am showing is not appropriate can someone point me to 53" wide Chroma Key seamless?

[TMR Design]

Anyone using seamleass for Chroma Key?

[TMR Design]

Hi No Bugster,

I'm going to be using Chroma Key to have the ability to easily remove backgrounds and replace them. I was going to get a reversible and foldable Green/Blue Chroma key background (I still might get this) but I use seamless all the time and actually like the convenience. It's inexpensive, I find a roll lasts me quite some time and wrinkles are not an issue.

I've used white with no detail before and from what I've seen and been told, it's not as easy with white as with the actual Chroma Key. I think if it were then no one would be using blue or green. My understanding is that you can use either, depending on which gives you greater contrast against your subject(s).

I would rather have my fabric and music backgrounds be artistic backgrounds and use seamless for the Chroma Key. Even if I got one roll of green and one of blue it would be less expensive than getting a muslin background and I'm not a fan of Amvona or buying cheap and I find Amvona products to be cheap.

With Christmas season coming I want to be able to do Christmas and holiday portraits and greeting cards with wintry, scenic backgrounds that are beyond what I can do with my handpainted muslin or using gels on seamless. For that reason I want to be able to easily knock out the background and replace it.

[rustylewis]

Take a look at Chroma-key.com

They appear to have blue and green backgrounds. The even sell it by the yard.

http://www.chroma-key.com/chroma_key_special.html

I've never purchased anything from them though.

[TMR Design]

Thanks for the link Rusty but the seamless is still less expensive and better suited for my needs. I know Chroma Key seamless is being made and know it to be as good as any other Chroma Key.

I really just want the know if the original link posted is what I need. My concern was over the word compatible. If not, I'm sure that companies other then Savage make it. I just didn't find it.

[TMR Design]

Savage says it's the same thing. I'm still going to check a few other sources.

Does anyone know what it is that technically makes Chroma Key work as opposed to using white or a bright green or blue that appear similar to Chroma Key?

I've also seen that there is some software or Photoshop plugins for working with Chroma Key to make the processing or removing the background fast and easy?

Any info on this?

[TMR Design]

Yup, I know how to do that. I was just pointing out that there are tools specific to Chroma Key.

[kevie]

The reason that "they" chose blue/green in the film compositing days was those colors were of a spectum that "keyed" out the easiest. The subjects skin tone and clothes worn had the most contrast against those colors in the Blue and Green channels to make a clean alpha. Something like that i guess.

the stuff from BH should work just fine. Just be thankful your not doing video :)

[mblanton]

My opinion is that it probably will not work. Chroma Key is almost fluorescent and super bright, but if I understand the process you are simply trying to isolate the color in PS so that you can delete it (this would make selecting a person much easier) and then replace it with your digital background. The only Chroma Key background that I have seen is made of muslin. Here is a link to one:

http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=64

Mike

[TMR Design]

I can find tons of muslin and foldable chroma key backgrounds. I also know there are manufacturers of Chroma Key seamless. Now, perhaps the Savage 'compatible' paper is not the right stuff but I know it's out there.

If for some reason that has changed recently and it's not available in seamless then I'll probably get one of the foldable backgrounds rather than a muslin backdrop.

My search continues.

[Titus213]

I have a roll of Superior Seamless 'Chroma key' paper, designated 'Stinger' on the box, 107" x 36'. Never used it. It may be worth a call to Rice Studio Supply - they list free shipping on their web site.

http://www.ricestudiosupply.com/SeamlessPaper/Paper.htm

[LightUser]

At 17.75 per yard that is a little expensive. I just started shooting that myself and just have a twistflex blue on one side/green on the other, doesn't say chromakey or anything, just a dark blue and one side and light green on the other and that works fine (it was given to me by the way, I'd never buy one). I know a photographer who went to a fabric store and bought the material very cheap and just clamped it on a frame and they use that.

[Titus213]

The catalog from Rice Studio Supply lists the paper at $64 with free shipping.

[mcmadkat]

If all you are doing is cutting out in photoshop, then any plain colour should do fine. Green is the best bet, as not many people have green skin....

[sfaust]

Chroma key colors were used mainly in video. It was a solution that worked based on the equipment in use at the time, and because it needed to be one on the fly and with motion.

With photography, you aren't under the same constraints, but the trend just continued. There is no real reason you need to use blue or green, and in many cases it works against you. All you need, as mentioned, is a different between the two colors you want to isolate.

Rather than use blue or green, I use whatever color I will be compositing the image into. If you want to cut out a model and paste her against a blue sky and blue water, I'd use a blue background. If there were to be cut out and put on red, I'd use red background paper.

The reason is simple. Lets say you have her brown hair that you are cutting out, and you shot on green. You will have three colors to deal with. The brown hair, green background, and new red background. You need to cut out and mask perfectly in order to eliminate all the green, or you can end up with green fringe areas in the final composited image.

If you shot it on red, you are dealing with two colors. Brown hair, red background, and the new red background. You masking will look so much better since you can cheat a pixel or two on the masking since the two red colors will blend, unlike the green and red.

Also, when you shoot an object on a colored background, its likely that you will get spill over. If you have spill over, you won't get a clean mask, and thus run the risk of a 'cut out' appearance. If the seamless and new composited background color are the same, it won't matter if you have some spill since they will blend together well anyway.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/279537807_9a46bf46df.jpg

I had spill on this image, which was shot on a white seamless, but when I warmed up the image it blended nicely with the background (city with motion). If it was shot on green or blue, I would have had more trouble dealing with the off color spill. It can be done, but its much faster not to have to deal with it in the first place.

The motorcycle and model were shot in the studio on white. The motion in the hair was added by a fan. I added some softness to the model and bike in some areas to add to the illusion. The hair composite worked very well because I didn't have the green or blue spill light.

[TMR Design]

Thanks Stephen,

I still haven't done anything about a purchase but I'll keep all this in mind as I get closer to a decision.