On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:52:39 -0500, "KatWoman" <spamfree@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>
>"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

These steps are easily researchable on the web. It's recommended to
place the subject about 4' in front of the chroma green background and
to light the background from the sides to eliminate color spill and
shadows.

My question is about the software. Many companies offer software to
use in conjunction with a green screen. I can't figure out if they do
anything different than what Photoshop does.

Some will remove the green (or blue) and replace it with a background
image, but that seems the same to me as popping in a background image
as a layer.

I have the impression that the software is for those who don't have
Photoshop, but I'm trying to verify this.


--

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida