Green Screen Techniques for Video and Photography
2h 50mBeginner2019-12-20
Authors
Richard Harrington
Digital Video Expert, Educator, Speaker
Abba Shapiro
Adobe Consultant and award-winning Writer/Producer/Director
Matt Nagy
Creative Director and Owner of Origin Story Creative Communications
Course details
Learning to shoot green screen removes many time and budget limitations. Instead of scouting and shooting on location—a prohibitive expense for most productions—you can digitally recreate the background of your scene. This course takes you through the steps of shooting both photography and video on green screen. Authors Rich Harrington and Abba Shapiro walk you through the process of preparing a live action set, from hanging the backdrop to lighting the subject with strobes; positioning and posing your subject; and completing the scene with post-production techniques in Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. Learn how to composite your footage against a new digital background plate, match the color and exposure, adjust focus, and perform keying for motion.
Learning objectives
Why use green screen?
Using different backdrops
Lighting the green screen
Lighting the subject
Positioning the subject
Posing techniques
Shooting video with a DSLR or mirrorless camera
Selecting a background
Processing plates and background images
Creating photographic composites
Creating video composites
Learning objectives
Why use green screen?
Using different backdrops
Lighting the green screen
Lighting the subject
Positioning the subject
Posing techniques
Shooting video with a DSLR or mirrorless camera
Selecting a background
Processing plates and background images
Creating photographic composites
Creating video composites
Skills covered
2D TrackingKeyingAnalog PhotographyVideo ProductionPremiere ProAfter EffectsPhotoshopVideoMotion Graphics and VFXPhotographyAdobeOne-Off
Concepts
Introduction
- Want to do a green screen shoot
- Meet your instructor team
- Using the exercise files
An Introduction to Green Screen
- The history of green screen
- Why use green screen for photography
- Why use green screen for video
Prepping the Green Screen
- Setting the room
- Using a tension background
- Using a fabric backdrop
- Using a Reflecmedia backdrop
- Shooting in a professional studio
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
Working with the Subject
- Establishing the relationship between subject and background
- Positioning the subject
- Providing direction during the shoot
- Posing techniques
- Shooting handheld
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
Background Selection
- What makes a good background
- Processing plates in Camera Raw
- Processing depth of field
- Processing background images in Photoshop
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
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