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88DURAN
Participant
January 8, 2018
Question

photos - white backdrop or green screen best for background removal in PSD?

  • January 8, 2018
  • 5 replies
  • 18390 views

Hello,

I wanted to know which method is easier for background removal in PSD? I'm setting up staff photos with a green screen and will need to remove the background in PSD.  Is it easier to remove the background in PSD with a green screen setup or white backdrop when taking photos?  Thanks!

      This topic has been closed for replies.

      5 replies

      ScooterD76
      ScooterD76
      Legend
      September 5, 2018

      White for still photos / photoshop.

      It will not show as badly around the edges of your mask, however you choose to do the cutting out. Bright colors will bleed into the edges.

        V
        V-Ras
        Participant
        September 5, 2018

        Hi Everyone, Im new here and im facing similar a similar question. I need to photograph silver jewellery. The surface of most items is bright, shiny and reflective . Now the issue is, if i use white background then the background removal using magic wand etc is not easy (silver being also reflective and white), using green would give the silver photos a green tinge which is also not desireable....any ideas of how to go about it so that the post processing of photo is easy?

        L
        Lumigraphics
        Legend
        September 5, 2018

        What is your final background going to be? If you just need the items isolated on white, get a small light table, light tent, and learn to use fill cards.

        Norman Sanders
        Norman Sanders
        Legend
        January 8, 2018

        I would suggest a white background lit one and a half or more f/stops lighter than the white in the subject (white shirt for example). The background should be far enough away from the subject that there is no spill light affecting the edges and hair of the subject. Test, test, test prior to the assignment. Sharp focus. The Blend If command will remove the white.

        Terri Stevens
        Terri Stevens
        Legend
        January 8, 2018

        Gosh, that sounds such a simple question but there is not a simple answer. If you are going to do a lot of green/blue screen work then it's probably best to buy a program dedicated to that as they have 'batch' operation modes and that will save countless time. However if you want to use Photoshop it's perfectly good at removing any color background. Blue and green screen are particularly good as they are primay channel colors. If you have someone against a green screen for example and they are not wearing green clothing-and they probably won't be unless they are a leprechaun-then you can often go directly to the green channel in RGB and make a pretty decent mask just by adjusting the levels with very little cleanup. Post a representative image here and probably we can give you a guide to workflow.

        WILDCAT54
        WILDCAT54
        Inspiring
        January 8, 2018

        Here's a great article explaining why you should use a white backdrop - https://www.dpmag.com/how-to/tip-of-the-week/dont-shoot-on-green-screen-12-2-13/

        Terri Stevens
        Terri Stevens
        Legend
        January 8, 2018

        I haven't read that entire article yet, but green halo effects are dead easy to counter, so I'm not sure I agree with the author that white is better than blue or green. In fact most colors can be made to work . The original Mary Poppins was shot for the matted scenes with the penguins against a bright yellow screen under sodium lamps. Admittedly they weren't using Photoshop but modified Technicolor cameras that simultaneously recorded the actors and the mask that the animators used to superimpose the animated characters, but it worked and McClaren Stewart received an Academy Award 25 years before Photoshop was invented.

          davescm
          Community Expert
          davescmCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 8, 2018

          I'll add one more comment to the advice above which is all good.

          If your masked photos are destined for a dark background I would use a dark/black background for the photos. Similarly if the masked photos are destined for a light background then use white. In either case expose to give clear contrast around the edge.

          The use of a dark /light background as appropriate will save hours of de-contamination later.

          Dave

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