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Shooting and Supplies
In order to successfully alter a photograph with chroma key, you need the right supplies and backgrounds during the shoot. Chroma key backgrounds are available at film and photo shops or online. The size of the chroma key background will depend on whether you are shooting something compact, such as an individual portrait, or a larger scene. While focusing your camera during the shoot, it is important that the screen covers the entire background or specific area you will want to alter in post production. Make sure that the people and objects in the shoot are not wearing any colors that correspond to the chroma key background. Shooting the scene with your camera fixed to a tripod will reduce the risk of improperly framing the chroma key background during the shoot.
Software
After successfully taking your photo, you need to select the type of software you want to use to alter the photo. While Photoshop is the industry standard when it comes to photo alterations, there are numerous online programs that are less expensive and focus specifically on chroma key use. Primatte Chromakey Software, Green Screen Wizard and Chromagic are three unique types of chroma key software that can be downloaded online and used to alter your images. While price may weigh in your decision, simplicity should also be taken into account. Unless you are a more advanced photographer, simple programs, such as Chromagic and Green Screen Wizard, have user-friendly menus that will guide you through the process of altering your photos.
Transparency
After selecting a chroma key program to use, you must turn the green or blue screen used in the photograph into a transparent background. While doing this will vary, depending on the program you chose, the process begins by loading the photo into the software program. Do this by selecting the "Layers" function in the chosen program. After selecting "Layers," browse your desktop to find the photo with the green or blue screen background. Once the photo is loaded, use a trace tool to move around the entire background, as well as the image(s) in the foreground of the photo. Cut out the portion you selected to leave a transparent void where the green or blue screen used to be.
Combining Images
After removing the background for the image, you will layer a new image in its place by combining two or multiple images, depending on preference, to change and complete your new photo. Start by adding an additional layer to the current photo. Browse your hard drive for a photo that may be a suitable background for the original image. Load it into the program then place the image in the background where the green or blue screen was. You can utilize filters on the photo program to change the lightness and darkness of the background image to help match it up with the foreground image.