Tip: How to Light your chroma key backdrop

Here are the two most common problems for chroma key.

An Uneven lighting on the chroma key backdrop

Reflected spill on the foreground subject

Here are a few steps on how to set up a good lighting

Step 1: Light your chroma key backdrop (Green or Blue Screen)

When lighting your chroma key green screen backdrop, make sure the lighting is even with no hot spots or shadows. Your backdrop lights should be located on either the side or on the back of the subject you are taking video or picture of.

You can either use a Quartz light on stand or you can soften the light on your foreground subject.

Step 2 : Light your foreground subject

You should light the foreground subject using a separate light. Do not use the same light used on your chroma key backdrop for the subject. Though the blue or green must be lit evenly, this is not true for the subject. You can actually light the subject dramatically however the trick is not to screw up the chroma key background.

This will also reduce the reflective spill *blue or green fringe from the light that is reflected off the chroma key backdrop around your subject.

Make sure that your subject does not contain the same color as your chroma key backdrop.

Step 3 : Neutralize any color cast

Use a soft back-light on each side of the subject to help neutralize the reflective spill from your chroma key backdrop.

A point to ponder:The bigger your subject on the screen the easier it is for chroma keying. If you take your time to light your chroma key backdrop and your foreground subject, you avoid the “blue or green fringe” on the object or the subject, then even the most basic chroma key software available will produce terrific results.