i was just curious what kind of tecniques you guys use when chromakeying, such as software, lighting, and special tips and tricks.
Chroma Key
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^ Topic has been discussed before here but the original question was about software.
^ Topic has been discussed before here but the original question was about software.
It's important to remember that you have to get the shadow out of the picture to get a clean removal of the selected background... to do that it's best to use a softbox in the background, under the subject... softboxes always work best for subtle lighting of course, but backlighting is what's important in this case. You don't want them to have a halo or anything, which would happen if you just had a huge spotlight on the back of their head.
adobe after effects is a great tool for keying... though adobe primiere has a tools for keying also... 
Chroma Keying is better when the format is less compressed/cleaner. DV will get a little rough around the edges, funky home footage like VHS is almost useless. And yes, as mentioned above, the green/blue background is best when evenly lit, and the 'softer', more diffuse the source(s), the better the key.
As to software, if this is a one time thing, you could download After Effects from Adobe. The best keyer in AE is an included plug-in in the Pro version from Keylight. Besides the Zwei-? freeware editor mentioned in the other post, you might try Jashacka as well, I believe they also have a keyer included as well.
As to software, if this is a one time thing, you could download After Effects from Adobe. The best keyer in AE is an included plug-in in the Pro version from Keylight. Besides the Zwei-? freeware editor mentioned in the other post, you might try Jashacka as well, I believe they also have a keyer included as well.
As for the shooting, beware the shutter speed, make sure it's
hi as possible to avoid the blur motion.Because once it got blur,
things is getting more difficult.
Also, make sure that's no same colour from the BG appear on the object.
We always use green or blue for the BG.
hi as possible to avoid the blur motion.Because once it got blur,
things is getting more difficult.
Also, make sure that's no same colour from the BG appear on the object.
We always use green or blue for the BG.
haloglite bulbs work great..they use less energy but are brighter...ad sony Vegas Does chromakey very well.
Thats my main problem with chroma, i try to shoot most of my videos in Pal because the framerate gives the video a more hollywood look BUT Ntsc is much better for keying. I have had the most success with Sony Vegas. Seriouse magic took up 10gb for like 10 minutes. Premiere, it was hard to get a good key.
Go for Composite lab! It's pretty cheap and is a really great tool for chroma keying!
http://fxhome.com/
Try out the demo!
http://fxhome.com/
Try out the demo!
Make sure you light the greenscreen EVENLY and light it seperate from the subject. Try and get the subject at least 6 feet away from the greenscreen. Use a backlight on the subject to better seperate them from the screen and to reduce green spill. That will make your job easier.
As for keying software, it depends on your budget. I have used Keylight and it is pretty good.....I also use Ultimatte's AdvantEdge......which is the best chroma key plug in I've ever used. When I bought it it cost me $1700 so unless you are doing pro level work you probably want to look elsewhere...(the price may be less by now, I'm not sure). But most NLE's have decent to good chroma keying filters built in. Can you get better? Yes but if you are not being paid for your work I wouldn't recommend it unless you've got money to burn.
As for keying software, it depends on your budget. I have used Keylight and it is pretty good.....I also use Ultimatte's AdvantEdge......which is the best chroma key plug in I've ever used. When I bought it it cost me $1700 so unless you are doing pro level work you probably want to look elsewhere...(the price may be less by now, I'm not sure). But most NLE's have decent to good chroma keying filters built in. Can you get better? Yes but if you are not being paid for your work I wouldn't recommend it unless you've got money to burn.
I read a really good article the other day with tips on how to remove the choppy edges when you're chroma keying in DV. Basically you apply a blur mask and blur the edges so the subject is soft instead of having those interlacing hard lines around it... Much cleaner removal of the background.
| brevity wrote: |
| I read a really good article the other day with tips on how to remove the choppy edges when you're chroma keying in DV. Basically you apply a blur mask and blur the edges so the subject is soft instead of having those interlacing hard lines around it... Much cleaner removal of the background. |
While this does work its not a good techniqoe to practice. The reason being that you wont have crisp edges. If you have set up your lighting correctly and apply the keying correctly you should not need to use this method.
Think about hair - if shooting a girl with long curly hair against a screen ideally you want to be able to pick out each individual hair but bluring edges will loose the hair.
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