Ever been in the middle of an important call only to see a distracting blob appear over your shoulder? Or a fleeting glimpse of your spouse passing by? That’s called an object segmentation problem, and it happens when your video setup has trouble distinguishing you from your environment. Video software like mmhmm is constantly getting better at eliminating those mystery blobs from your silhouette, but there’s a low-tech upgrade to your workspace that can eliminate them instantly and forever: a green screen.
Professional studios have used green screens for years to put news anchors in front of virtual displays or transport actors to fantastic worlds. The idea is simple: when you have a solid, bright-green backdrop instead of a busy room, video software can easily discern your exact shape.
Pair a green screen with good lighting, and you’ll instantly look crisper and more professional when using a virtual background or presenting in front of a slide. Here’s how.
Setting up your studio
Be sure to set up a dedicated corner as your green screen studio, because it will take up some space. Look for an area where you can have maximum control over the lighting conditions.
There are lots of green screen options to choose from, but a free-standing version will usually work best. If space is at a premium, you can try a pop-up screen that attaches to your chair, but the screen will be close to your head, meaning you may cast shadows on it. Another low-budget option is to drape a green sheet over your wall. No matter what type of screen you’re using, ensure that it’s tightly stretched and free of wrinkles.
Setting up mmhmm
Once your green screen is set up behind you, change the “Real background” option to Hidden in the Presenter panel on the right side of the mmhmm app. Choose one of the hundreds of backgrounds in mmhmm to match the tone and content of your video. Then, change the following settings:
- First, make sure your real background is set to Hidden in the right-side panel
- In the bottom right of mmhmm, click the Camera settings drop-down menu and select I have a green screen.
- Click Auto-adjust to let mmhmm configure your green screen settings automatically.
If things aren’t looking quite right, you can adjust the color and threshold percentage manually to match your particular green screen:
- De-select the Auto-adjust feature.
- Select the green screen color under Color. You’ll see default options for green and blue, or you can use a color picker to match any tone.
- Move the left and right slider under Threshold to set the sensitivity of green screen detection. This will help mmhmm recognize the darker and lighter areas of your green screen.
Keep experimenting with these until you have a crisp silhouette and correct color for your skin tone and clothing.
Pro tip: If you see a green outline around yourself (also known as a “green screen spill”), adjust your lighting so more light shines on you instead of the green screen, then adjust the Threshold setting in mmhmm.
Your guide to perfect light
Green screens work best when you’re evenly lit. Any well-lit room should be sufficient for mmhmm, but lighting your face with other sources of light can further improve the quality of your image.
The three-point lighting technique is a fundamental setup that uses three light sources: key light, fill light, and backlight. This technique keeps you well-lit, eliminating hard shadows while separating you from the green screen, an essential element for getting a clean silhouette.
Key light
This is the primary light source and should be positioned at a 45-degree angle rather than directly in front of you. By placing the key light off to the side, your face receives natural-looking illumination with less glare.
Fill light
A second, softer light placed on the opposite side from the key light will balance out the shadows. It softens the contrast and provides even illumination across your face. Consider dialing this light down or placing a diffuser in front of the fill light to achieve a softer, more flattering effect.
Back light
The third point of light is positioned slightly behind you and off to the side, aiming towards the back of your head or shoulders. This light source enhances your silhouette and provides a sense of depth.
You can see the 3-point technique in action in this video:
More ways to light yourself
The three-point technique is highly effective, but also requires some investment and a lot of room. If space is at a premium, try starting with a single small light like the Elgato Key Light Neo or placing a ring light around the camera.
If you’re looking for something with a little more flair than three-point provides, check out this video with four more ways to create a striking look:
No green screen? No problem. You’ve got mmhmm.
If you don’t own a green screen, don’t worry—mmhmm can be your virtual green screen all by itself! Create a tight silhouette and blur, tint, or remove your room with the Real background settings in the style panel. While the effect is less crisp than you would get with a green screen, it lets you remove your background anywhere and in any situation with just one click.
