Green Screen Techniques for Video and Photography

Learn how to shoot photography and video on green screen—and digitally recreate the background of your scene in post-production.

Introduction

• Want to do a green screen shoot?
• Meet your instructor team
• Using the exercise files

1. An Introduction to Green Screen

• The history of green screen
• Why use green screen for photography?
• Why use green screen for video?

2. Prepping the Green Screen

• Setting the room
• Using a tension background
• Using a fabric backdrop
• Using a Reflecmedia backdrop
• Shooting in a professional studio

3. Lighting the Subject

• Using studio strobes for photography
• Working with a light meter
• Adjusting studio strobes
• Lighting the green screen for even exposure
• Lighting the subject
• Working with the camera histogram
• Using constant lighting for photo and video
• Eliminating spill

4. Working with the Subject

• Establishing the relationship between subject and background
• Positioning the subject
• Providing direction during the shoot
• Posing techniques
• Shooting handheld

5. Best Shooting Practices for Video with a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera

• Shooting video with a DSLR or mirrorless camera
• Recording to an external recorder
• The sync sound workflow
• Checking test keys on set

6. Background Selection

• What makes a good background?
• Processing plates in Camera Raw
• Processing depth of field
• Processing background images in Photoshop

7. Creating Photographic Composites

• Initial processing of the raw photo
• Creating transparency in Photoshop
• Positioning the background with Free Transform
• Matching color and exposure for the photo
• Adjusting focus for the background
• Refining the composite with color grading

8. Creating Video Composites

• An introduction to keying in Premiere Pro
• Matching color and exposure for video in Premiere Pro
• An introduction to keying in Final Cut Pro X
• Refining the key in Final Cut Pro X
• Matching color and exposure for video in Final Cut Pro X
• An introduction to keying in After Effects
• Positioning the background in Z space
• Animating the 3D camera
• Enhancing the image with digital lighting

Conclusion

• Goodbye and keep learning