Shooting on green screen like a pro is easy — it all starts with the right setup. When a photo shoot is properly set up, you save hours in the post-production phase, which in turn saves precious resources.

Here is how the professional photographers at 36Pix set up a shoot to ensure quality shots.

1. Put up your green screen. Make sure it is clean and wrinkle-free.
2. Place the camera 10 feet from the green screen, ensuring it is centered.
3. Decide if you want to use a one- or two-umbrella setup.

One-umbrella setup

Place the umbrella directly behind your camera.

Two-umbrella setup

Place the umbrellas about 2 feet behind your camera, with 7 to 9 feet between each other.

1. Find the spot that is 6 feet from your camera and 4 feet from the green screen and mark it with an X. This is where your subject will stand.
2. Make sure the light is 1 or 2 stops darker than the light on your subject — do not overexpose the backdrop.

For information on how to setup lighting for a blue, grey, or master background, download our free setup guide.