Want to Learn Chroma Key Tricks?Taking a professional shot of a child comes with its own issues, not excluding the task of holding the child's focus long enough to snap their picture. However, there are other major problems photographers deal with unknowingly. In no particular order, these problematic issues are: having the child not look as if they are truly a part of the backdrop, creating an image that does not hold the viewer's attention, or especially creating a boring picture that feels flat. All three of these problems can plague even the most professional photographer at times, and this article strives to help them to be problems no longer.To begin with, when using a photographed background, such as a professional printed backdrop, people who view the end result can at times see that it was faked. Most of the time this isn't a huge issue, but occasionally we all experience these nit pickers. One way to combat this is to use simple props. As opposed to using a muslin or printed backdrop at the start, think about using a green screen as an alternative. With a green screen and inexpensive chroma key software it's much easier to use a digital photograph which you can position just right instead of trying to get just the right angle with the printed cloth. Now with the child standing or sitting in front of the green screen, add in a prop or two that can add to the illusion that the child is really there. A holiday like Christmas, for example, could have the child carrying a cheerfully wrapped gift box for the picture. In another situation, such as the beach, you could have the child put on a swimsuit and wear a beach towel. The main idea is to make an effort to add natural elements to the child's surroundings. If the prop(s) are paired properly with the digital backgrounds chosen, it will be much easier to fool the eyes of the viewer. One more advantage that comes with adding props in like these is that they make involving your spectators much easier. Think about it: which of these two pictures would look more interesting to you? Would you be more interested in the photo of a child in a finely-tailored outfit against a backdrop of the Star of David, or one in which he wears a yamulkah while lighting a menorah for Hanukkah in just a three-quarter scene? The first photograph provides thorough perception while the last one is far more captivating and enjoyable in viewing. On the other hand, these pictures also help to tell a story. A baby laying on a blanket is cute, but add in a background of a grassy field and you've got a nature spirit. On that very same field, retrieve the child and hand them over to their mother - you now have a gentle spirit, dozing in his mother's arms. Remember this: Use props in conjunction with a green screen to help make the scene more solid and real, to engage the viewer on an emotional level and to tell a story. |