blue or green screen back ground

[dmrphotography]

Hi,

I am new to the whole camera scene and just hungry to learn as much as I can. I am also learning photoshop and had an idea. Instead of lugging around all kind of back ground, just carry one (with maybe a green or blue screen, would it matter?) and if there software I could use that will allow me to drop in premade backgrounds or something I put together. I have a Nikon D40, if that makes a difference and I take it with me everywhere I go, I love taking pictures. Just until recently, I was approached by a few co-workers with this same idea. So I would greatly appreciate it if someone could help me out here or point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Rene

[DougAxford]

Photoshop can do a fair job of removing the background but only fair. Using chroma key green or blue doesn't matter in PS, just helps a bit.

If you waant to get serious about it, download a trial version of Primatte. It's the best for background removal by far. Bit of a pain to use and not as fast as some competing software but it does the best job.

Primatte Chromakey 3.0 Software : Adobe Photoshop Plugin :: Digital Anarchy

Be sure to download and view all the tutorials. It is absolutely necessary.

Even lighting on the background and separation to background are very important.

There are lots of people shooting Green Screen. Good luck.

[Dennis_Vied]

I use the Extract filter in PS. I shoot on an evenly lighted, even color background, (doesn't have to be green or blue), and remove it with Extract, and drop in the background I want. It isn't perfect, but it works for my purposes.

[MediaWiz]

Hi There, I am a pro shooter with 20 or so years experience in this field!! You really have to know the fundemntals of lighting a portrait, before you can embark on green/blue screen photography.. its not that easy to do it properly!! if it is a matter of space and portability, look at some of the muslin backgrounds, 'Cheap and fold down small'. Can explain alot more about blue and green screen shooting.. but as i said, if you are new to photography, learn the basics first!