Powerdirector 13 - Can I get a good key with bad lighting?

[Cody Letwinch]

Hi guys!

So I am using Powerdirector 13 for my video editor. I have looked in countless tutorials on getting a good key with imperfect lighting, but almost all of them are with more expensive editors.

My lighting isn't terrible, but it is imperfect. When I key it out I have spots I need to go in and try to manually remove with the key settings, and if I manage to key all the green out it usually removes some color that I'm either wearing or removes my tattoos.

Am I pretty much screwed unless I upgrade, or has anyone had similar issues, and how did you fix it?

I use two clip lights (like for reading) usually to light myself, and use another light to remove shadows off the green screen. The problem appears to be the lighting is brighter In some spots then others, and leaves my green screen useless.

I have seen tutorials of people using worse looking footage, and making it usable, but none of the tutorials include my software.

Is there a way to maybe enhance the green color in the video, so it's easier to key?

 

[babyteeth4]

Have you adjusted every possible combination when you use the chromakey? I use Power Director and I will say that good lighting makes things easier down the road, first and foremost, but it doesn't have to be studio perfect to get it to work.

I usually go down the line, widen up the tolerance of hue a bit more, then move to tolerance of saturation, then tolerance of luminance.

Also, if you're still not getting what you want out of it, try a plug-in. If you go to the Cyberlink partners site, you can buy a New Blue chromakey plug-in that will give you more nuance and more controls. But good lighting is worth investigating to save you time and make your chromakey editing easier.

 

[Cody Letwinch]

Have you adjusted every possible combination when you use the chromakey? I use Power Director and I will say that good lighting makes things easier down the road, first and foremost, but it doesn't have to be studio perfect to get it to work.

I usually go down the line, widen up the tolerance of hue a bit more, then move to tolerance of saturation, then tolerance of luminance.

Also, if you're still not getting what you want out of it, try a plug-in. If you go to the Cyberlink partners site, you can buy a New Blue chromakey plug-in that will give you more nuance and more controls. But good lighting is worth investigating to save you time and make your chromakey editing easier.

I have messed with them but to be honest I just kind of do it randomly until the screen is completely keyed out. But by that point it's usually a pretty ugly video, and it usually will key out things on my shirt or my tattoos. I will try doing it one by one as you said and see if it makes a difference for me.

I'm glad to hear that you use Powerdirector also, now I know it IS possible lol. I will see if I can find that plug in, I had no idea they even had other plug ins for purchase.

As far as the lighting, what is a good recommendation as far as light color or wattage that is less likely to glare on a screen. The lights I have work fantastic on me, but they seem to be too much for my green screen.

Also, thank you for the info

 

[babyteeth4]

As far as the lighting, what is a good recommendation as far as light color or wattage that is less likely to glare on a screen.

Glad to help a PD user out, there aren't too many of us here on the board. I use 45 watt, 5500k lamps with an umbrella diffuser, this gives a fairly even light and minimizes shadow. I think the recommended approach is 5 lights but I only use three: one on each side of the screen, and then one to light the subject (person). My daughters have very white skin so I actually use a pink-toned bulb for the middle subject lighting, and keep them between the bulb and the screen so the pink light doesn't splash onto the screen. For the side (screen) bulbs I use conventional white.

 

[Cody Letwinch]

Glad to help a PD user out, there aren't too many of us here on the board. I use 45 watt, 5500k lamps with an umbrella diffuser, this gives a fairly even light and minimizes shadow. I think the recommended approach is 5 lights but I only use three: one on each side of the screen, and then one to light the subject (person). My daughters have very white skin so I actually use a pink-toned bulb for the middle subject lighting, and keep them between the bulb and the screen so the pink light doesn't splash onto the screen. For the side (screen) bulbs I use conventional white.

I know! I am super surprised there aren't more PD users. I first tried out my brothers Premier when I was looking to buy a program, but after reading tons of things on PD I figured I'd give it a shot. I can do the same thing (for me at least) in PD that would take me 3 times longer in Premier.

Thank you so much for all the helpful advice, I appreciate it. I may try to get a soft box to diffuse my lighting before I drop $120 on the PD plug-in lol. Worth a shot.

By the way, nice channel. I have a 3 year old daughter and showed her a few of your videos, she approves. Not that it makes a difference, because you have a massive channel as it is, but you have a new subscriber lol.

Thanks!

 

[babyteeth4]

Thanks man, I do appreciate that! I hope this greenscreen stuff turns out good for you!