| Author | Thread |
|
|
01/20/2005 06:19:11 PM · #1 |
| I feel that I'm pretty good creating realistic looking composites of people and digital backgrounds. I'm not sure why more photographers aren't using this technique. Since background canvas starts about $150, if you could make a perfect composite, why would you spend the money on the "real" stuff? What method do you use? |
|
|
|
01/20/2005 06:54:58 PM · #2 |
I have just started using 'chromakey' green and digital backdrops... I can't seem to get the spill out of the hair and things. Saving for Advantedge... whopping 500 for PS only plug-in.. had the trial and it's awesome. Once I get that I'll never use a muslin again.
Joe
|
|
|
|
01/20/2005 07:12:11 PM · #3 |
But if you have the backdrop already lit, and ready to go, why would you go to the extra work of doing it in the computer?
Even if it was a fast 'chromakey', it's still more work than just shooting it in the first place, especially you Joe, who shoots lots of portraits for a living. I'm a huge fan of digital, been making a living at digital video for 16 years (I'll bet you've seen my stuff even where you live), I just hate worrying about the hair and what you are losing when you can just take the time to shoot it together in the first place.
I guess what I'm asking is "What am I missing"? My backdrops are all black for my portraits right now while I'm learning. Just wondering what is the down side to shooting "the old fashioned" way.
|
|
|
|
01/20/2005 07:24:58 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by digitalknight:
Just wondering what is the down side to shooting "the old fashioned" way. |
The downside is you have to pay thousands for a good collection of backdrops. With chroma keying, the model can choose which ever backdrop they want. I use Advantedge and it is fast and amazing. I also have hi-key white and low-key black to use but I'll use the greenscreen/bluescreen for most shoots too.
Example:
Granted her hair is in braids which makes it easier to composite but even with fluffy hair it works well
Message edited by author 2005-01-20 19:27:13. |
|
|
|
01/20/2005 08:51:38 PM · #5 |
Digital backgrounds can work well I agree, but I would only ever see them as an alternate if you could not do what you wanted with a real background.
You also have to be very careful if you want them to look realistic, otherwise they look exactly like what they are ... digital manipulation, which personally I am not a big fan of.
I think most people want something that looks like a real photo, and as realistic as possible.
Take the second photo there, with the purple backdrop. Yup, you've done it well, but it is still obviously faked. Look at the shadow of the girl's legs and the way it instantly ceases as it reaches the digital backdrop. That photo for instance would still need further work before I considered it "real" (not knocking the photo though, it's great).
I think digital backdrops have their place, but are not really a complete replacement for the real thing.
|
|
|
|
01/20/2005 09:01:55 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by digitalknight:
But if you have the backdrop already lit, and ready to go, why would you go to the extra work of doing it in the computer?
Even if it was a fast 'chromakey', it's still more work than just shooting it in the first place, especially you Joe, who shoots lots of portraits for a living. I'm a huge fan of digital, been making a living at digital video for 16 years (I'll bet you've seen my stuff even where you live), I just hate worrying about the hair and what you are losing when you can just take the time to shoot it together in the first place.
I guess what I'm asking is "What am I missing"? My backdrops are all black for my portraits right now while I'm learning. Just wondering what is the down side to shooting "the old fashioned" way. |
It's already been said but the main reason is cost.
another reason is the ability to 'match' backdrops to eye color, hair color, clothing color... and most important, I won't spend 150 bucks for a yellow backdrop or likewise but still have the option for that one wacky customer who wants it yellow.
You can also shoot landscapes and use them as backdrops.. digital backdrop doesn't always mean 'digital version of a muslin'. I have drapes, scenics, muslins, sports themes. I now have access to over 200 backgrounds.. And uless you are doing full body where you see the standing plane your not going to see the manipulation if you use Advantedge.
|
|
|
|
01/20/2005 09:08:44 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by photomayhem:
I feel that I'm pretty good creating realistic looking composites of people and digital backgrounds. I'm not sure why more photographers aren't using this technique. Since background canvas starts about $150, if you could make a perfect composite, why would you spend the money on the "real" stuff? What method do you use? |
Do you have to spend a lot of time extracting your subject form the original image to place them on the digital background?
|
|
|
|
01/20/2005 10:00:22 PM · #8 |
If you use 'chromakey' it's REALLY easy to take the background out, and you lose very little in terms of fine detail, assuming the background is evenly lit. You just select a section of BG, then "select/select similar" and delete. Takes a couple minutes. No matter how complex your subject is. The key is having the BG far enough from the subject that you can light it evenly and no shadows fall on it.
Even if you DO have unavoidable shadows, you can deal with those pretty easily if they are not intersecting complex curves or hair or something like that.
Robt.
Message edited by author 2005-01-20 22:02:43.
|
|
|
|
01/20/2005 10:00:23 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Do you have to spend a lot of time extracting your subject form the original image to place them on the digital background? |
Not if you buy the software called Advantedge. It's about $500 dollars but it really only takes about 5 minutes to pull a good key.
Eric |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/12/2025 09:07:57 AM EDT.
