I’ve been wanting to experiment with Green Screen video and photography for a long time now. However, I just never felt comfortable buying a green screen system because I didn’t want to get the wrong thing. Also I didn’t want to invest hundreds if not thousands of dollars in getting the professional lighting that I figured you would need to get good results. Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would be able to get professional results (yes your opinion will vary) for only $199!
The Westcott uLite 2 Light Photo Kit
Although Westcott targets this kit at enthusiasts, I think they are selling themselves a little short. Sure the digital video pros would probably argue with me and well that’s OK, I’m used to it, but with what you get in this kit, you CAN produce some pretty decent quality projects.
The Westcott uLite kit includes:
- 2 500W Photo Flood Lights
- 2 Small 20" Softboxes
- 2 Light Stands
- 1 9’x10′ Green Screen
- 1 instructional DVD to learn to setup the system and post production tips/techniques
- 1 disc of royalty free backgrounds
I’m glad I watched the DVD first to get some pointers on light placement. Setup on took a few minutes and I was ready to shoot. I did run into one problem though. One of the bulbs in my kit may have been damaged in shipping. I screwed it in and fired up the light and it came on for about 10 seconds before going out. I confirmed that it was the bulb and not the light. While I’m sure the good folks at Westcott would gladly send me a new bulb, I wanted to proceed with my demo. So I used one of the bulbs from my TD5 Spiderlite. The only problem here is that the bulb I used was only 50W and no where near as bright as the other bulb. The purpose of having TWO lights is so that the subject is lit evenly on both sides and to eliminate shadows. I played around with light placement and did the best I could. However, you’ll notice that I’m brighter on the left side than I am on the right side.
Here’s my first attempt at using the kit (editing was done in Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and the keying was done in Adobe After Effects CS4 using Keylight via Dynamic Link):
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been wanting to experiment with Green Screen video or photography, this is a great starter kit! For the price you just can’t beat it! I was a little disappointed that there was no support system included for the green screen, however for $199 I think you’re getting a great value. While the screen can be hung easily from a wall, clothes line, etc. I still recommend a support stand. Although your bulbs will probably work right out of the box, I did notice that the bulbs are only rated for 60 hours. So I would recommend ordering some extra ones right off the bat.
B&H Photo sells the Westcott uLite 2 Light Kit for $199.95.
I would also recommend getting this free standing support system for it and a few extra bulbs.
If you’re a NAPP member, check out Dave Cross’ tutorial on automating the process of extracting still images from a green screen background.
For still photography, is is really easier/better to use a green screen than any other color if you wish to put in a new background? If it is easier in photoshop to use green can someone explain to me why?
Steve,
From what I’ve seen (haven’t done it yet for still photography), shooting your subject on Green/Blue Screen makes for easier extractions for a couple of reasons. The reason Green/Blue screens are used is that it’s less likely that your subject will have these colors in their flesh tones. If you shoot on White, it’s very easy to have White elsewhere in the subject.
Also from watching Dave Cross’ video on the NAPP member site, the extraction can be automated in an Action so that you can extract multiple images at once with little to no use interaction. Something that would be very hard to do with other colors.
Thanks Terry,
I may just have to break down and buy a NAPP membership. I have been thinking about it long and hard for awhile. Maybe when I get back from vacation I will bite the bullet and do it. Thanks so much for the reply and thank you so much for your very informative blog. I really enjoy it and try to catch it ever day!
Colorado here I come!
Terry,
I love your blog and am toying with doing this kind of review regularly, too.
My question is (and forgive me of you spoke about this in the video, I can watch and read but am unable to listen at work) did you buy this greenscreen kit out-of-pocket or was it provided by Westcott to you for promotional purposes?
Regards,
Tim
Terry,
If you keep doing these good reviews as you just did about the at the the Green Screen we will have to find a way to give you an Emmy for Tech Blog of the Year. I had the same questions that you did about the whole Green Screen issue. I have to get this kit and the stand as soon as I can.
Terry,
Very insightful review. I really appreciate what you and others do to help those of us whose skills and knowledge are somewhat limited. I purchased the uLite 2 kit and like you, I watched the instructional DVD first and it was a breeze to assembly. However, it does not seem to light the subject well and does a very poor job lighting the background. I know it’s probably something I’m doing wrong, but any help would be appreciated. Should I continue to use a flash and stobe when using the uLite 2 kit? I order to get what think is a properly lit shot, I had to slow my shutter down to 1/40 (I usually use 1/125 with a flash or strobe; set my ISO to 400 (normally I use 100) and increase my EV to 2.0 (it’s normally at .7). I placed the subject about 5 feet in front on the backdrop and the lights about 4 feet in front of the subject on each side. The camera (Nikon D200) is about a foot behind the lights, about midway between them.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Again, THANKS for all you do!!!
Leon Kendrick
Is it me or are my expectations misplaced.
Terry,
Awesome primer and promotional for the product. I just ordered this kit to do some projects for teaching – have to appeal to that media-driven generation – and I think this might very well be the way to do it. However, my question is on the set up.
Understanding the green screen is at the extreme back of the composition frame, and the subject is in advance of that by a few feet, with the camera to the front of the subject (background to foreground) – where was the lighting placed – to direct onto the greenscreen (solely), or to provide illumination to the greenscreen and subject together?
Regardless, an excellent video – and I look forward to trying it out when my kit arrives in the coming week.
Respectfully,
Martin Corell
Martin, thanks. The lights are lighting both the subject and the green screen.
Hi Terry, I have been toying with the idea to go to the green screen but like yourself didn’t want to spend big bucks to try it out. This kit seems to be the answer and your video review just reinforces the fact that this is a great choice. Thanks a million and keep up the great work.
Thanks!