Chromakeying has become an essential tool in video and film production. Typically, foreground footage is shot in front of a blue or green screen, and then that background color (the key color) is treated as transparent, allowing another image to be inserted.

For example, when you see a TV meteorologist in front of a weather map, that person is almost certainly posed in front of a green screen. The background is keyed out, to be replaced by computer generated imagery.

Of course, if you choose poor settings, foreground areas may inadvertently be cut away as well. Or, some areas that should be transparent may be only partially keyed. Good keying often requires judicious balance between too little and too much. Let’s consider the tools provided to help you achieve a great result.