DV Chromakeys (page 2)

Avoid Same-Color Clothing

This may be obvious to some, but there are still times, even in the broadcast world, when the subject wears clothing that is the same color as the background. In post, the subject's dress or suit magically disappears. Fortunately, this doesn't result in naked embarrassment, but it does allow the background to show right through them, making them look like a (mostly) invisible person. There are two solutions at this point: reshoot or pay someone to go through the video frame-by-frame and fix the shot. Always direct your foreground subject to wear a color that is completely different from your key background.

And that '80s-style mullet hairdo? Pat it down and get rid of the frizz. Hairs and stray fibers around the outside edge of the subject's sweater do not key well. A good rule to adhere to here is: Keep the lines on your foreground subject simple and smooth. A triangular-shaped Star Destroyer will key over a planet a lot better than a fuzzy space octopus with tiny flailing arms and appendages.

Try to limit your subject's movements as well. A quickly moving subject carries with it a motion blur, where the subject and key background blend together a bit. The worst way to reveal your composite to your audience is a to show a huge colored fringe every time your subject quickly moves. You'll notice this phenomenon even during the weather, when the weatherman quickly points at something. This anomaly is worse in 4:1:…