"Joel" <Joel@NoSpam.com> wrote in message
news:a0h4s318etgqnp39rekvi9rr1lcv0ugu8n@4ax.com...
> tony cooper <tony_cooper213@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> Anyone shooting photographs with a chroma green background and then
>> processing the images in Photoshop?
>
> The Green background could be a better choice for video, but for digital
> image then green-screen isn't nessary. But in general it's more of
> masking
> skill than tool.
>
>> Can the background be removed with one of the standard tools in
>> Photoshop? I see references to software for use with chroma green or
>> blue background, but I think they're for video. Is any type of
>> software or a plug-in used for stills?
>
> The green-screen just to separate between normal and green that is an
> unusual color to making thing easier to select. That's the main
> idea.
>
> Yes, there are plug-in, but again plug-in can only to speed thing up,
> and usually for small print for displaying. For larger print then Masking
> skill is the must have.
>
>> Using the Magic Wand or the Magic Eraser, just about any solid color
>> can be removed, but I've read that the extraction is simpler and
>> cleaner if done with a chroma green or a blue background.
>
> Well, Magic Wand is a magical tool for newbie to impress other newbie, or
> for some commercial video to show off beginner. For detail work
> (especially
> printing) then you may need to spend around a year or so practicing
> Masking
> technique.
>
> I have been using Masking very often (almost of all important photos),
> been doing it for many years, and still seeing some improvement. Or I can
> say that I am pretty good but still not at the top yet


If you do decide to shoot chroma green
make sure your subject is not close to the background
the spillage of or reflected green light will show up on the subject (not
sure the word)
a green backlight is most unflattering on the hair, especially blond
white clothing etc

using white seamless or gray with lot of light onto the backdrop to
eliminate gradation and shadows seems to work for stills


select color range
wand
pen
lasso particularly magnetic lasso
channel methods and combinations of above
you will need all to make really good masks

I have not used extract or background eraser very often but it is popular
Masking HAIR blowing is my least favorite and most difficult assignment
I am pretty good at masking but not great at it