Green screen photography also
known as Chroma Key photography is a process that allows users
to replace solid color background commonly in Green & Blue with a
background of their choice. This technique has been around since
years and has been popular in film industry for years. Now this
technique is evolving and is preferred by photographers as well.
With green screen, you can capture
remarkable pictures that are not feasible with conventional
photocomposition techniques. It also means that you do not need to
spend a huge amount on finding exclusive backgrounds for portrait
photography; it allows you to give special effects to the pictures
while increasing your photography opportunities enormously. The main
aim of using green or blue screen photography is, when you use a
solid color background it allows you to easily separate your subject
from background.
In case you are well versed with
Photoshop you might have spent many hours tracing your subject
meticulously to replace it and place it to all together new
background. However, green screen photography saves you from this
hassle and simplifies the complete process, allowing you to separate
your subject instantly by employing specially designed Green
screen photography software.
In order to get started with green
screen photography, you do not need any special equipment as such,
your digital cam, computer, a green screen background and green
screen software.
Lighting -
The other key aspect to successful green screen photography is
lighting. In order to instantly, remove green color from your
photographs during postproduction, you need uniform lighting across
the entire background while shooting. When using green screen, aim is
to create even lighting for this you need atleast two lights. You can
set up these lights as sidelights pointing towards the green screen
from 45 degrees angle approx. Depending upon the material your green
screen is made of users can determine the exact distance to place
lights.
Subject -
While shooting, it is good to keep your subject at least 6 feet
from the background. If you do not keep minimum this much distance
then it becomes challenging during post production. As closer your
subject is to the background, more is the probability of green spill
on your subject’s face and other body parts.
By exploring green screen photography,
you are adding a new facet to your photography skills that can
immensely expand your photography horizon.
