Process Screen Photography

Process screen photography is the use of a pure-chroma or high-contrast screen as a background during photography in order to separate a foreground object from this background. The foreground object may then be added or composited into another scene. There are several types of Process Screens for various situations.

The most common type of Process Screen photography is the use of blue or green screen when shooting Live Action foregrounds for compositing into another background. Similar process screen techiniques may be used when photographing Miniatures and Automobiles. However, as these are often static subjects, Red Phosphour or Hi-contrast (white screens) may be used in conjunction with repeat-pass Motion Control techniques to provide an optimum matte edge.

I've been shooting and compositing various types of process photography for 24 years, taking solid cues from such industry pioneers as Jonathan Erland and others, back in my early days at Apogee. As Jon continues to push the state of the art in chroma-screen development, I continue to take his excellent advice. I use his Chroma screens whenever logistics will support it.

I have even employed the use of Front Projection and Reverse Front Projection screen photography, though it's rare that I can justify their use anymore. It's more often easier to clean up a compromised chroma screen than to live with the compromises that the projection systems offer.

Image #1 :From the Motion Picture "GI Joe" - The Live Action foreground was shot as a Daylight exterior blue screen. I always recomend that if the composite is to be a daylight exterior, the blue/green screen foreground needs to be photographed as a daylight exterior element. The background was photographed using VistaVision. Excellent Digital Composites by Digital Domain.

Image #2 :From the Motion Picture "Poseidon" - The Elevator Shaft set was wet and reflective, so Chroma Screens weren't going to work.
Instead, a "Gray Screen" was used to provide High Contrast Matte Edges. Excellent 3D Set Extension and Digital Composites by Giant Killer Robots.

Image #3 :From the Kent TV Commercial "Hawaiian Dreams"- 2 cameras were used to photograph the actor. Out the window (frame) was a blue screen.
A complimentary reverse "reflection" angle was simultaneously photographed and later composited in to simulate a glass window reflection.
A third matching camera angle was photographed (and enhanced) for the exterior background.
Pin Reg film transfers, Matte Painting and Composting by CIS Hollywood.

Image #4 :From the Motion Picture "Poseidon" - The Kitchen foreground set was almost all stainless steel. Highly reflective.
So a Front Projection Blue Screen was used, which eliminated nearly all blue reflections.
Excellent 3D Set Extension and D igital Composites by CIS Hollywood .

© 2010 Boyd Shermis Visual Effects, Inc .