Getting Started

1. Review our shoot background and lighting design requirements
2. Shoot and submit a blue screen test
3. Once your test has been approved, set up your background library

Prices

H&H has a one-time charge for blue screen knockout. After that there are no additional image processing charges. Your png images are available to use for service items, reorders, additional backgrounds, and multiple sales opportunities for 9 months. You may also download your knocked-out png images from our website.

Included in this price is the cleanup required when the occasional subject wears the same color as the background. If a majority of subjects are wearing clothing that matches the background, additional charges may apply.

At times, however, improper lighting, exposure, prop use or photographer error can require manual clean-up to your images. Anytime manual clean-up is needed, you will be contacted so we can help you troubleshoot what happened and how we can prevent it in the future. When necessary, you will be charged $0.75 per minute for these clean-up services. When the charges are less than $100, we will continue with the clean-up and notify you with the reason. When the estimated charges are greater than $100, we will contact you to request approval before proceeding with the clean-up.

Lighting & Setup

Lighting Diagram

Following this diagram to the letter is necessary for clean blue screen shooting. This setup has been tested and used within our automated KO system and renders the best results with clean edges and reduced color fall off from the backdrop. Variances from this setup are not allowed when shooting on blue.

Hair Light Placement

For a more detailed description of hair light placement, please download this instructional PDF.

Camera Settings

Required Blue Screen Backdrops

When shooting on blue screen, we require that you use one of the backgrounds listed below.

Say Cheese Chroma Key Blue Canvas Background
Say Cheese Solid Blue Canvas Background

Recommended Lighting Modifiers

We recommend the Photogenic 45" Eclipse Plus Umbrella with the white satin panel (ECP45) for the main and fill lights. For the hair light we recommend the 12x36 Interfit Strip Light (SLBR39).

Testing

Before you are ready to shoot your first job we need to make sure that we are able to service the background and lighting you plan to use so we ask that you submit a knockout test.

• Test consists of five images photographed using the background, camera settings and lighting diagram you intend to use onsite.
• Each test image should contain a different subject utilizing a variety hair types and skin tones.
• The background should be smooth and consistently lit, avoiding fall off and subject shadows.
• Images should cropped, either in camera or in post with backdrop all the way from side to side and, if possible, to the top of the image.
• Test images submitted need to include metadata so we can review the camera settings.
• We also ask that you submit a wide shot of your studio setup so we can help improve your shooting for optimal KO.
• Tests are submitted through hhstudio under the Schools section, not through hhschools.
• Test results are usually returned via email within 48 hours.