Green Screen

[bigfish2215]

I just wanted to know if any has used the Wescott green screen? Is it as easy as some of reviews say? Can you edit the pictures easy and fix flaws? I have a rec room that I would like to take pictures of the family and some friends kids. I just wanted to know if it was worth it or should I buy a few different backgrounds. I'm using a Nikon D60 if that matters at all.
Thanks for all the help and advise

 

[MICKEY88]

I use a greenscreen in my studio, with the right software replacing the background is easy, I've never heard of greenscreen for fixing flaws, so I'm not sure what you are referencing in regards to that

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I use a greenscreen in my studio, with the right software replacing the background is easy, I've never heard of greenscreen for fixing flaws, so I'm not sure what you are referencing in regards to that

I'm curious what software you are using. Also, I've heard lighting can be an issue?

 

[MICKEY88]

I'm curious what software you are using. Also, I've heard lighting can be an issue?

I use
FXhome PhotoKey 3 Pro, .


I had downloaded the free trial, loved the program, but debated for a few months whether to go with the home program for $150, or the Pro, for $300.

Since I sometimes do model shoots yielding 100s of photos the batch processing of the pro version seemed like a great idea, but I wasn't sure it was worth $150.

1 Saturday morning about 3AM I was working on some photos, and was thinking I really needed to make up my mind and get the program, I went to the website and discovered they were having a 20% off sale that ended that day.

So I took the plunge and got the pro version. They are soon releasing an update with some features that will make it worth the price, So I'll be buying that whenever it's avaailable..

I had tried using PAint Shop Phot Pro, but it was frustrating at times, removing the green from between strands of hair, etc, was not easy.

with Photokey 3, as soon as I open a file the green is gone. it's amazing.

With the PRo version and batch processing ability, I can open a folder of 500 pics, and drop in a grey muslin background or whatever I'm in the mood for, and let the program do it's thing, rather than doing the pics one by one.

I have 2 10x20 chromakey backgrounds that I got off of ebay, a green and a blue, so far I have only been using the green

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Excellent! I've wanted to get the same program, had it in my Amazon cart a few times even.

Quick Question, how are their backgrounds? I often worry that I'm gunna get a 2 megapixel background and while I could always blur it, I worry that background pictures are going to be lower quality than the pictures I shoot.

 

[photo_chick]

When you use a green screen for stills you can use the magic wand in photoshop to select that color then just delete it. It really is that simple for stills, provided you have good separation from your subject and the background, like with a rim light.

I found lighting to be a big issue when shooting video. With stills it's much easier to go in and delete remnants left behind from uneven lighting but video is a whole other story.

 

[MICKEY88]

although doable with photoshop, it's much easier and faster with photokey3, even occassional eneven lighting isn't a problem, it still removes the greenscreen.

I went in and was reading reviews, and one guy trashed the program because it didn't have a clone tool for getting rid of unwnted things,

I learned quickly that on those occassions when shooting a model and I accidentally get the top of my background including mps in the shot, I simply open it in paint shop photo pro first, clone those areas turning them all green, then I'm good to go in photokey.

I can't really speak on their backgrounds, I don't have any, other than the few samples they include, I had a dvd of digital backgounds, that I had bought years ago, and last week I bought 6 more disks off of ebay,

I also make it a habit to shoot pics for backgrounds whenever I see something I like

here is a folder of some of my experiments last week..

http://www.starrrshots.com/p363288727

 

[bigfish2215]

I'm using Nikon's Capture NX2 for editing photos. So, it is possible for me to edit the pic like remove a zit from a teenager's face and then in the other program remove the green screen. I'm I understanding that correct?

Thanks for the info! I think I will be adding this to my Santa list! I think I've been a good girl this year!

 

[MICKEY88]

I'm using Nikon's Capture NX2 for editing photos. So, it is possible for me to edit the pic like remove a zit from a teenager's face and then in the other program remove the green screen. I'm I understanding that correct?

Thanks for the info! I think I will be adding this to my Santa list! I think I've been a good girl this year!

yes, I usually post process with PSP, then save as jpeg, then open in photo key 3 to swap out my background

 

[AlbertZeroK]

My first try with a green screen. Comments appriciated:

http://www.facebook.com/missprincesspea#!/album.php?aid=30070&id=133987176642230

I used PhotoKey Pro 3, which has a horrid user interface, but I am liking the results. It's also dog slow on my laptop.