Getting the Best Green Screen Chroma key lighting setup on a budget

[@DGaryGrady]

Very helpful video. One quick note on flicker with older-type fluorescent-light ballasts: The key is to set the shutter speed to match the length of a cycle of the mains frequency, that is, 1/50 or 1/60. This solves the problem even when shooting 24 fps in North America with 60 Hz AC current. In fact, older HMI lighting units used in film production had the same flicker problem, and the solution was to use a 144-degree shutter angle to achieve a 1/60 of a second shutter speed. The idea is that if every frame catches a full cycle of the light, you shouldn’t see a brightness difference from frame to frame.

[@IroquoisPliskin]

With all respect sir, I laughed when you said "miss details like hair". :P

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Squall Leonhart Yep, it don't apply to me, that's why I key out so well :-)

[@IroquoisPliskin]

hahaha. :)

[@ELFKidsVideos]

Very nicely done. Thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@GuyECS]

What a great job you did of this video! It was funny, educational as well as ....well shot (nice to have good audio too). Thank you for doing this!

[@TheAverageDan]

Thanks for the info. Just setting up green screen for my channel for the first time. Recorded my first rough video last night. So much potential. Cant wait to get deeper into it.

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

+TheAverageDan Look at the green screen paint video i did, that can make a big difference to the overall quality of the key even with less that ideal lighting.

[@michaelmckinney2024]

where would you recommend buying the tube light fitting for US buyers?

[@7863348]

I'm a long time KZbinr but new to green screen and did my first video using it the other day. Seeing I had some time to look for videos on the subject of lighting I found your channel and this video. Well done. I learned a lot from it. Thumbs up and a new subscriber from Newfoundland, Canada. Happy Holidays.

[@drcraigrsmith]

Hi, I have found companies that sell the Philips Master Graphica 5300K tubes, but I am unable to find anywhere that sells the fixtures, with reflector, like you have in the video. Can you tell me where you got them from please?

[@FLOWVISIONMEDIA]

thanks for tips,I am considering purchasing some led work lights for a green screen job I have next weekend but now you have me thinking.

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

FLOWVISION1 LED lights are good but you want the light as even as possible of the largest area and LED panels are not that big , even the 1000 LED versions so you will get hot spotting unless you use a large diffusor which will knock down the light levels quite a lot too.

[@The_Penny_Seventeens]

Awesome! I like the detail you give that will make all the difference thank you..

[@jsavannah]

That app helped me improve my key a little bit more. Thanks!

[@BruceAvilla]

i'm in USA, and it looks like the 5 foot length is not a standard here. 48in. or 96in. Your idea is excellent! All your green-screen work in your other videos is fantastic. Any thought about hanging a third light from the ceiling, or is that unnecessary, considering how good your green screen effect works now? I'm going to try to put a couple of the 48in. lights together. Thanks!

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Hi, glad you found it useful :-). The only reason I went for 5ft was because i couldn't get the Philips 5300k tubes in a 6ft length. 8ft maybe too big for an average room but if you can get daylight tubes and have the height it would give you more even light over a bigger area. The best way to see if your light output is even is using the Greenscreener app i show in the video, you may not require a 3rd light if the green screen is not to large. Mine is 12ft wide x 7ft high, if you wanted to do full body shots then you would need more lights to light the green on the floor. I use a Blackmagic Cinema Camera and shoot the footage in RAW which gives no compression or chroma sub-sampling artifacts and makes for the best chroma key work.

[@TracyEvansProductions]

I am in US also. I am buying some 4-foot florescent fixtures. The ones I found are called "shop lights" as they are already wired with a lead and electric plug. I am going to experiment with some 4-foot LED florescent replacement tubes to control heat. They are labeled as "Daylight White" which the manufacturers says is "5,000~6,300K." I hope that will be close enough in color temp.

[@moreapropos]

Really informative. I was just curious about a couple of things. With your lights positioned as they are, would moving them closer make a difference? Also, most lights are soft boxes, so is there any way to further diffuse the light coming out of them? It looks like you have the bare bulbs and no diffusion at all.

[@xmarcsme]

Could you tell me what specs need to be on the fixture and what specs separately have to be on the bulb do you have any other bulb brands you suggest. I live in the USA. Is it the picture that you worry about these cycles per second?

[@ilovetocover]

This is really helpful and a great idea! Thank you for showing a before and after results. Most videos fail. The light you are using is not available in the US could you offer and alternative? I'm guessing you could use any 5k high CRI bulb correct?

[@johngalt1931]

Thanks, I'm just getting started.Great information and very well presented!

[@PaulHanafinMusic]

I'm grateful for your input. Thanks. The background I use is stored by rolling it up tightly - paint may crack and peel under this pressure if used often? Is this an issue and would you recommend something else now that I've brought this to your attention? Best regards

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

If you are storing the background rolled up then the cloth material will be a better bet, it not cheap but if your screen is not to large it wont cost too much. It needs to be the quality felt top material with the foam backing as this wont crease like muslin.

[@GilbertSandoval]

Very informative video. What is the model number for the electronic ballast you are showing?

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

It is a Viper HF 2x58W, it was a 5 foot high frequency ballast unit that I bought from an online lighting supplier in the UK so it might not be the same in the USA or other countries. Just look for HF (High Frequency) electronic ballast when your looking to buy, if in doubt ask the supplier, try to avoid the "Choke" or inductive ones which run at the main frequency and can cause Hum bars if you don't set you shutter speed to an exact multiple like 60, 120, 180 in the US and 50 , 100 , 200 etc in UK.

[@andrewboey4838]

thank you for the well done and will filmed and well taught video, sir!! I learned a lot from this! Just subscribed to your KZbin Channel and u can call me a fan now :)

[@Oni700]

Hi again, I was also wondering whether you could direct me to instructions on how to wire the fitting easily to a UK 3 pin plug? Is there some kind of adapter kit available? Thanks

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

If your unsure about the wiring of the electrics i would strongly suggest that you get a qualified electrician to do the wiring for you just be on the safe side, its very simple so it shouldn't cost much.

[@qakathechemist]

Question. Im using my green screen but what is happening is, when i hold up, like a can of corn u buy out the store, i edited the footage with my program but the background is bleeding through the can. I tried the 3 point lighting but it's still coming through the can. What am I doing wrong?

[@enagid]

Hi, Thanks for this excellent video :) I'm about to build a cyclorama wall: - Height: 4 meters - Width: 5 meters Do you think your solution will be valid for this size? How about lighting the floor? Thanks, Edo

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

enagid You'll need more lighting for that size, bigger lights like the professional large soft boxes about 5 -6 feet in length. If your making an infinity curve on to the floor then a light source from above would be required as well like a on the set of strip lights. That might make the top of the screen too light but there are some lighting units that use a special curved reflector to throw more father away and reduce the light near the unit and is made especially for this type of lighting screen and walls but I cant remember the name of the maker but it might be worth googleing lighting for backdrops.

[@enagid]

Video Alchemy I carefully read your article and you mentioned that you bought the 5300 Kelvin lights because they are day light color temperature that won’t mix with the main actors lights. So why not going higher with the green screen lights (I can only find 6500Kelvin, 80Watt…). Thanks, Edo

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

+enagid You can use other colour temp lights just be aware that it will change the overall colour balance of your scene, make sure you do a manual white balance before to start recording.

[@AetherWizard]

Excellent advice. I'm off to improve my green screen setup.

[@PaulHanafinMusic]

Great - I'll go with that! Last thing - would you recommend somewhere to buy this? I'll post some of the results to show the fruits of your advice 😃

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

I'll send you through some suppliers details by Private Message

[@FinalCutMultimedia]

Video Alchemy Hello, I love the video, I can't find any suppliers for the bulbs you mentioned, can you send me info on where I can order them from too?

[@oniricPrj]

Thanks! I downloaded the app and will probably get the lights!

[@PaulHanafinMusic]

Hello, Great video! I have an issue with a green screen and you're just the guy I need!! Scenario: I have a photo booth, shiny green vinyl backdrop, tight space, only small hole in frame from which to fit 1 studio light. My options as far as I can see are: 1.Buy a less reflective background - muslin cloth? 2. Paint the existing background with chromakey paint 3. Keep thinking Which single thing would you recommend for me to do first to try solve the problem?

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

I would start by painting the background with a matte chroma key paint, it will be a purer "green" and reflect more green light and as such you don't need as much light to get a good key. Muslin is OK but often it is not as green as you think, I.E. it has more blue and maybe red in the dyes, so it needs a more aggressive key to remove it. Proper felt backed Chroma key cloth is an ideal choice, is quite expensive but has a slight fluorescence to it which makes it show really well on camera.

[@TheMrRabe]

Thx for this great tutorial - special the app. I only have 10 feet cam to green wall and i got a lot of spill. Any hint for the light setup? What do you recoment for this roomsize? Regards Ralf...

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

+TheMrRabe I work in a room with about the same camera to screen size, I now use painted sheets behind me rather than muslin and I use Rosco chroma key green paint, this has a very even light reflection with less than ideal conditions. As for the spill I use a couple of battery LED lights on mic stands to light to top down, that takes care of the spill I get especially if like me you have a subject with a bald shiny head. A bit of foundation make up give the skin a more matt finish and also cuts down on spill refection too.

[@rowbyrowby]

Hi I live in the USA and am having problems finding that specific model number locally. Yes, Phillips website says they make those bulbs -- just having problems finding them easily in Los Angeles. Do you or anyone else responding on this thread have suggestions for similar florescent bulbs that do just as good a job. Thanks for the excellent tutorial. ...Rowby

[@bbboardforlife]

sorry to bother you but i was wondering if you can lend a helping hand and be able to share where you bought your light units from. I'm really sorry to ask but I'm really struggling finding the electronic ones. thanks for your time. a job well done. great video. a big thumbs up.

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Try putting in "electronic ballast light fitting" to Google, that should give you plenty of suppliers where you can get them from. I got mine from here www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lighting_Fluorescent_Index/Fluorescent_Batten_Fittings_1/

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

And forgot to say they are also known as HF or High Frequency fittings too.

[@bbboardforlife]

Video Alchemy thanks allot for your help and time mate. none of my local hardware shops stock them, online it is i guess. thanks again.

[@edifarshi]

Excellent video with clear advice that makes sense. Already found the app for my android tablet and purchased it. Believe it or not, I'm having trouble finding the fitting like the one in your video with a mirror reflector. I have no problem with the light though. could you say where you got the fitting from?

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Edward Farshi I bought the reflector from the same place as I bought the light fitting. You dont have to have a shiny reflective aluminium one like I have , in fact a white one or something home made out of plastic sheet folded in the same way would work just as well and reduce the effect of hot spotting caused with a very shiny reflector.

[@edifarshi]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Very much apreciated.

[@ramonlopeznote]

Sir, I managed to find the Philips Graphica lights here in Spain, but I now wonder what kind or brand of electronic ballast you recommend? Thanks for your invaluable information.!!!

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

+Ramon Lopez If you google electronic ballast you should find some local suppliers, I just used the 1st one i found, they are general purpose so they should work fine and without the main hum bars.

[@ramonlopeznote]

Got ya! Then I will aim for a good brand, like Philips for example. You have saved my life with your video and help. Thumbs up! my British friend!

[@null7280]

this was a great tutorial. Do you happen to have any links to the type of light fixture you're referring to? (electronic ballast vs traditional ballast). And is it literally Electronic Ballast vs Magnetic Ballast? I shoot in 24p 99% of the time and don't want to purchase the wrong type of ballast. THANKS!

[@Redbull357]

thanks so much for this! the app you have recommended helped so much!

[@tacticalmuffin204streamer2]

I thought you was selling your own lighting equipment and I was about to move on but you wasn't! Great video, thanks!

[@mousepd]

I have kids with braces on top of many other bills. Therefore, I really have to watch my budget on "hobby material", LOL. So I had to settle for the "regular ballast" fluorescent light fixtures. My question is, if I film at 60FPS and then later render it out to 24 FPS. Will the flicker still show up? I've subscribed to your channel. Thanks for the information!

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

***** If you record the video at a frame rate which is a multiple of the main frequency i.e 30 or 60 fps in the USA (60hz) and 25 or 50 fps in Europe (50hz) you should be fine. Once it has been captured you can then render to to a different frame rate without a problem.

[@mousepd]

Video Alchemy Thank you pal! And good job with the tutorials!

[@alanmarklew6850]

Hi great info, will this work ok for still photography ? and anywhere in the uk that do the type you have with the reflector on it, have had a look around the the net and cant find any.

[@Oni700]

Hi thanks for the video. I'm in the UK too, and am trying to build one of your light rigs. Could you direct to where I can buy a double reflective casing from? And also the ballast fitting? I'm not sure I've found the right parts. Thanks for any help you can offer. Thank you :)

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

I'll send you the details in a message

[@RobloxGamer-gi8hn]

I recommend a softbox i use it now and it lights my hole greenscreen and it costs 40dollars both

[@TheCgrules]

I'm completely new to this. I just bought a big green cover and I already have my camera. Can I use the light thing that stands 5ft tall for my lighting only?

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

im_so_fabulous__ You really need separate lights for the green screen and you subject, if you use just one set for both you will have big shadows cast by the subject on to the green screen behind.

[@CorvetteReport]

WOW! Very smart material. Thanks!

[@tusenbensen334]

Is it possible to use sunlight, for outside shooting?

[@paulslater1]

very clearly explained and helpful.

[@GregWilliamBryant]

Ace video - do you have anything on product photography?

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Sorry, not really all my video concentrate on the video side of DSLR's though some of the tips cover elements of both video and photography.

[@Pmdm80]

what a nice video, very useful thanks for sharing!

[@andreacazareslopez9992]

Thanks for the help. I have one question wich chroma key is the best because there is alot of brands that I don't even know and I really want to buy one.

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Do you mean chroma key material or the keying software? That's a difficult one because the are a lot of other things that go in to making a good green screen besides the lighting and materials such as the camera setup, software and how well the software is used. However this is something I will be tackling in the near future.

[@andreacazareslopez9992]

Ohh ok .please do a video of that because I really want to know about the chroma key material wich one is really good because I don't want to buy one that doesn't work and thanks for replying.

[@melconwagner6943]

Not sure if the fixure we bought is electronic or not. How do you know? If it turns out to be a standard fixture what specific light bulb would have the least flickering? Not finding information on Kelvin, and frequency of bulbs when googling information. Our fixture is a focal point model FAV, four foot single fixture. Having lots of problems with umbrella stand lights with the hot spots showing up.PLEASE HELP!!!!

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Normally it will be shown on the ballast unit, that's the bit which has the wires which go to the tubes, it should say if it is an electronic unit. If its a normal coil based ballast then there is not much you can do to reduce the flicker as it will run at the mains frequency of 50 or 60Hz depending on where you are. The tubes are controlled by the ballast so changing tubes wont much is any difference to the flicker.

[@bochengzhang6488]

nice ！thx a lot ，Why not continue to update it?

[@rowbyrowby]

Thanks for your reply. I'm also seeing on Amazon 4000k led fluorescent replacement and 5000k. Would either of these be a better choice than the 6000k -- so far as being less "blue"? Thanks, Rowby

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Rowby Goren The 4k is more green like the standard tubes, the 6k would be better but it depends on the lighting you want to create, if you are going to do more in the way of colour correction you can alter the colouring more or you could use two sets of tubes, one 3.2k for tungsten effect and 6k for daylight lighting.

[@thehidilife]

Awesome video my friend!

[@Elangelina]

Thank you for sharing your expertise. Love it.

[@abdelrahmanmeaily3831]

thanks alot :) from now i will follow your videos

[@Oni700]

Thank you, I will keep an eye on my youtube inbox! Many thanks for your help. :)

[@Oni700]

Sorry, one more question. Does the electronic ballast come with the fitting for the tubes? or is it separate? Thanks

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

The ballast unit, which is where the tube are held comes with the fittings for the tubes but you may have to clip them into place if it is new unit

[@Oni700]

Video Alchemy Thanks for the reply. I've just ordered two ballast units with housings. (T8 Eco Flush Fluorescent Batten Twin Light Fitting 2 x 58W). I've also now got 4 Phillips 950 Graphica battens ordered. Just need the brackets, stands, the reflectors, and wiring for the wall plug. Would you mind telling me what additional items I will need to wire it up to a wall socket plug, I'm not entirely sure what I need. Also, I can't find a twin polished aluminium reflector like yours, only plain white metal ones. Do you happen to have the site your polished reflector from? Thanks for all your help

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

You will need some 3 core mains cable, 5A rating would fine and also a wall plug with 3A fuse, both of these for each light. The white reflector should work fine, in fact it may be slightly better because white will diffuse the light more. The aluminium reflector is available at the same website, same page too that I sent to youStands are normal photo light ones which are available on Ebay or amazon, just look for ones with a screw attachment so you can hang the bracket on them as in the video they will be about £20 each for good ones.

[@Oni700]

Video Alchemy Hi Thanks for all your help. I have acquired all the items for the wiring of the ballasts. I also sought advice from a qualified electrician as you advised, and the job doesn't seem to difficult as you say! Glad to hear the white diffuser will be suitable, or possibly better! Really grateful for your help. Can't wait to see the lights in action. will be setting the up today! Cheers

[@Mukhtarahmad]

absolutely enlightening.... Thanks a lot

[@JulienDewarrat]

Hello ! nice video and thank you for your advices ! i have a question ! i'm in europe, i've buy some cheap electronic ballast set of 2x 36w each (120cm) pointing the camera on the tube i can see flicker on every shutter angle of my blackmagic camera except 270 degrees (every frame rate works flickerfree with this angle) flicker is visible on my subjects, not only the tube. i didn't notice it at first use, it works with any tube i put on do you think the electronic ballast can be broken ? do you have any explanations on this ?

[@JulienDewarrat]

maybe because tubes are new, i'll turn them on for an hour and see

[@Spiggle.]

That's strange, did you solve the problem? He says in the video the electronic ballast won't cause flickering.. are you sure yours is electronic?

[@JulienDewarrat]

yeah it is electronic, and now it works. The problem was : the camera did'nt change the settings when i change it for some reason. so i was in ntsc and it was flicking cause i'm in 50hz. Now it's good

[@jamiefreeman2957]

How far away are your lights from the green screen?

[@ROTTERtube]

such a great video! i'm looking for something new. i'm currently using 2 - 500 watt studio lights with barn doors to light the green screen and it's alright but with hotspots. I need something cheap and effective and low power. thought about LED work lights. Thanks!

[@wolfwalker3422]

good job

[@ItsAnthonyVera]

The walk on the beach at the end was completely green screen

[@Celebrityriches]

what about led lights, are they OK for green screen

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

yes, but this is really about making the lights as large as possible to give the best, most even light output. LEDs tend to be small and thus you still have the hot spotting that we saw with the studio fluorescents.

[@BFMaxMaron]

Nice Video. Good to know.

[@marcierichstone1590]

Question: How strong is that lighting, and is it strong enough to balance with a portrait taken at around f8 (with a normal 100 ISO? I imagine that this technique is better for video than for photography. I'd love a reply, from anyone who has info!

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Marcie Richstone Do don't want it too strong or you will have a lot of green spill from the reflected light. If you have a scope (They are in Premier Pro) to show a YC waveform you want the background to be around 70-90, then light your subject separately until they are exposed to your requirements.

[@hollywoodinternationalfilm3287]

i like the video. great job.

[@rafaellewis1263]

Thanks

[@sonnybrown4758]

Thanks so much for this man

[@montewalker5261]

Great advise

[@danielcaiado6924]

Can the backlight be on the ceiling, right on top?

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Daniel Caiado Yes, you could have extra ones on the ceiling and floor too but just on the ceiling might cause a problem because unless you use a special reflector to even out the light, it will be light at the top and dark at the bottom.

[@danielcaiado6924]

Video Alchemy My plan is to have a strong key light on one side, a whole wall reflecting its light to fill the other side, and the ceiling light as hair light because I really lack resources and space, I'm doing this studio in my 4x4.5m room and my bed takes a lot of space.

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Daniel Caiado I think that if you have a strong key light you may not have enough for the fill but you'll have to tweak it to see how works. It maybe that to get enough reflected light the key will be too strong on the subject unless you use a small shade to reduce the light on the subject but keep the light on the wall.Ceiling lights can work if can get in the right position under it and keep the correct filming position.

[@danielcaiado6924]

Video Alchemy I'll try to tweak it the best that I can with what I have here, do you have any tips on what to use to diffuse the light? I'm using a 400W HQI light as key light and it gets hot as hell, I can't use regular papers and or plastics because they will catch on fire or melt.

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Daniel Caiado You need a diffusion gel, the good brands are Rosco (Cinegel) and Lee Filters, they make a wide range of strengths and colours if required for both high and low heat output lamps. Clip them on with wooden clothes pegs they wont melt like plastic ones on hot lights. Diffusion will loose some of the light from the lamps.

[@sergiosoriano1763]

Hello, first of all congratulations for your videos . I just have a question, I'm preparing my Chroma key scenario with a very cheaper budget and I would like to ask you if I use a fluorescent tube just like you but rather use 5.7kelvin I used 6.5kelvin with 5k lumens. Does it make any different at all? To be honest I read in the characteristics of both lights that the 5.7k it's for graphics and media use and the 6.5k it's for office. So I'm asking if it's made a huge different or not because 6.5k are pretty much cheaper. I would really appreciate hearing from you Thanks in advance

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Sergio Soriano The colour of the tubes shouldn't make that much difference, the 6.5k will be slightly bluer than the 5.7k but then the light reflected is green so it will just make a small difference. Because you may have mixed colour lights in the scene, the white balance should be with a grey/white card which will be where the talent will be in front of the green screen, so the green will be reflecting on to the back of the grey card and not affect the WB when you take your sample zoomed in to the WB card, if you see what I mean.

[@sergiosoriano1763]

Roger that :) thank you so much

[@PotentStudios]

Great tips!

[@topinambour124]

merci !!

[@PaulHanafinMusic]

Thanks a lot - I'll contact them 😃👍

[@traida111]

at the end was your chance to show off some green screen backdrops :(

[@mimjack]

great vid. thank you. you're so charming at the end of the video haha. cool.

[@ManMachineDotCo]

like the pool balls :-)

[@VideoalchemyPlus]

Thanks, glad you like it

[@UltimateGamingChannel]

what they never tell you dont wear green

[@samueljohnson7428]

I'm sick and tired of all these videos where people want to be entertainers. I don't want to be entertained! I want to know how it's done, God dammit! Very annoyed.