Shooting with a chroma key backdrop

I guess my backwards comment was a bit off-hand. What ever works is correct as long as the results are acceptable.

The only thing I will point out is that you do not need to create separation from the background as you would in a standard portrait, the background is well defined and the subject separated when the knockout is done and new bg inserted.

Here is a sample of the lighting set up I use, as you can see the bg is perfectly even. The hair on this subject (which is typical of many students) will not be a problem to knockout.

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BCRose, that example looks great. I wish I could get away with tight shots like that. Our green screens have long tails to cover the ground and we do a lot of full body shots. It's hard not to get spill around the legs of the kids. I haven't found a good way to stop it other than a gobo.

Here's the screens we use. TubeTape Chroma Screens

Jon.

i am going to have to try this.thanks for the good reading!!

Jon Foster wrote in post #8591906
BCRose, that example looks great. I wish I could get away with tight shots like that. Our green screens have long tails to cover the ground and we do a lot of full body shots. It's hard not to get spill around the legs of the kids. I haven't found a good way to stop it other than a gobo.

Here's the screens we use. TubeTape Chroma Screens

Jon.

I shoot toddler and pre-schoolers on the same paper rolled out. I don't like this type of green screen so much as the subject looks like they are just 'floating' in the new background. To counter this I try to get them to sit on a prop (apple crate or large pillow) and this is easier to make look realistic when dropped in the new bg.

If it is a single image you are working on you can always use PhotoShop to create a nice feather drop shadow on the knock out to make it look much more realistic in it's new bg. I would want to do this for numerous images though...

Light the background as evenly as possible.

Backlight your subjects slightly as well so there is as much separation around the edges as possible.

Jon Foster wrote in post #8588440
Curtis, I know you won't do the replacement work but check out Photokey. I use it at the school for ease of use and how quick it works. I do over a hundred kids at a time so fast, easy and good quality is critical.

Photokey Website

I have the color code for over the counter paint if you want to try it out but I'll have to find it. Buying the "green screen" paint from places like TubeTape.com would work but it's more expensive.

Edit: Here's a quick link I found on chroma green paint. http://www.detonationf​ilms.com …et_chroma_green​_paint.htm

Jon.

Hi Jon,

I've been looking at getting dedicated software for working with Chroma Key and Photokey 2 looks like a really great program.

Since you use it, I'm curious as to the workflow. Can I import my images to Lightroom as I normally do and then select 'Edit in..' and set it up so that it opens as a TIFF in Photokey, do the keying, save the TIFF and then open it up in Photoshop to create a layered TIFF for additional retouching? Once the extraction is done in Photokey 2, do I have the option to replace the background in Photokey 2 and/or in Photoshop to take advantage or filters or plugins I have installed?

BCRose wrote in post #8590953
Here is a sample of the lighting set up I use, as you can see the bg is perfectly even. The hair on this subject (which is typical of many students) will not be a problem to knockout.

Which program are you using for the extraction and would it be possible for you to post the same image as above but after the extraction? I'd like to see the hair frizzies and how well that is handled.

TMR Design wrote in post #8593309
Which program are you using for the extraction and would it be possible for you to post the same image as above but after the extraction? I'd like to see the hair frizzies and how well that is handled.

When I do these myself I use Primatte. All of my school images are sent to a lab and they do the extractions. I will post a sample when I get back in the studio next Tuesday.

You can try a Primatte demo here

The key really is proper lighting for this type of work. HOWEVER you do it.... you must set it up so there is zero spill coming though the hair.

wow that primatte software does really well!

SnlpeR wrote in post #8596090
wow that primatte software does really well!

I second that! I just downloaded the demo and with a few clicks that sample GREENweb.jpg posted above was perfectly keyed.

There is some really good tutorials on there site as well.

TMR Design wrote in post #8593309
Which program are you using for the extraction and would it be possible for you to post the same image as above but after the extraction? I'd like to see the hair frizzies and how well that is handled.

Hope you don't mind me experimenting with your photo BCRose...If it's a problem then I'll delete.

Just wanted to post two samples straight out of Primatte. Just about 5 clicks and that was it.

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nice results
can you PM me the serial number?
lol

You can see by this result how a model with hair that is actually brushed and neat would be perfect.

You can use the controls to tighten the mask a bit to remove the frizzies too, which would have helped this one