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How to Light a Green Screen for Still Photography

Use green screens in chromakey photography when you want to take a photo of the subject, isolate it in a photo editing program and then lay the isolated picture on different backgrounds. Typically, you would use green screens for this type of photography, but you can also use blue screens. Lighting a green screen for this type of shooting is similar to lighting any backdrop when you want the back drop fully illuminated.

Things You'll Need

Backdrop stand
Studio lights

Instructions

- 1
  Assemble a backdrop stand and hang the green screen backdrop. It is important that the backdrop is as smooth as possible so the light is evenly distributed across the entire screen.
- 2
  Attach a studio strobe or continuous light to light stands and place one at both ends of the green screen. Position the lights halfway from the floor to the top of the screen. The lights should be three to four feet in front of the screen at a 45-degree angle towards the screen.
- 3
  Turn the lights on and make sure they are evenly distributed across the entire screen. When it comes time to meter the light for the picture, overexpose the image by half a stop to allow for the light that will reflect off the green screen.

Photography