How to make chroma key from mobile with Kinemaster

The use of chroma key has become an essential tool for video editing, allowing users to create impressive virtual backgrounds and unleash creativity, all from the convenience of your mobile. With apps like Kinemaster, it’s possible to achieve professional-level edits without the need for expensive equipment or complicated software.

In this article, we’ll explore how to use chroma key on your mobile with Kinemaster, an accessible app with advanced features, ideal for users of all levels. We’ll explain the step-by-step process, the most commonly used colours, and address some common questions about chroma key.

What is Chroma Key and How Is It Done?

Chroma key is an editing technique that allows you to remove a specific colour from an image, usually green or blue, and replace it with a different background. This technique is particularly useful for creating impressive visual effects, such as placing actors in fictional settings or simply enhancing the visual presentation of a video.

Using chroma key from a mobile device is highly convenient for those who create content on the go and want to achieve quality results without the need for a computer.

Recording Preparation

Before delving into the use of Kinemaster, it’s crucial to understand that the success of chroma key largely depends on the quality of the initial recording. For the best results, you should film in front of a solid and well-lit background.

Green is the most common colour, although blue is also used depending on the project. Avoid shadows and wrinkles on the fabric, as these can interfere with background removal during editing.

Setting Up in Kinemaster

Once your recording is ready, follow these steps to apply the chroma key effect in Kinemaster:

1. Open Kinemaster on your mobile and create a new project by selecting the appropriate aspect ratio (16:9, 9:16, etc.).
2. Import the video you recorded in front of the solid colour background. This will be your main video.
3. Add the background you want to use to replace the solid colour. You can use images or videos depending on your creative idea.
4. Select the main video in the timeline and access the “Chroma Key” option.
5. Enable the feature and adjust the “similarity” and “spread” controls until the background colour is completely removed, allowing the desired background to show correctly.
6. Make additional adjustments to contrast, brightness, and saturation if needed to achieve a natural result.

And that’s it! With these steps, you’ll have applied the chroma key effect from your mobile using Kinemaster, creating a production with a professional look.

What Colours Are Used for Chroma Key?

The most commonly used colour for chroma key is green, followed by blue. The choice of colour depends on several factors:

Green

Green is used because it’s a colour that is rarely found in clothing and human skin, minimising the chances of parts of the subject being removed when applying the effect.

Moreover, digital cameras are more sensitive to this colour, capturing more details and providing a cleaner image.

Blue

Blue is the second most common option and is used when the subject in the video is wearing green clothing or when green is not available.

However, blue is more prone to generating noise and requires more precise lighting to achieve good results.

Other Colours

In some special cases, other colours such as red or even magenta can be used for chroma key. However, these options are less common and are usually reserved for very specific situations where green and blue are not viable.

Tips for a Successful Chroma Key

While the steps above will help you achieve chroma key in Kinemaster, there are additional tips that can improve the quality of the result:

Choose the Right Background

Select a background that integrates naturally with the content you are overlaying.

Avoid overly complex backgrounds that might distract from the main action in the video.

Use a Device with a Good Camera

Video quality is crucial. If you record with a low-end mobile, you may encounter imperfections that are difficult to remove during editing.

Try to use a device with a good camera to achieve a clear and noise-free image.

Proper Lighting

Lighting is key to a good chroma key. Make sure to light both the background and the subject separately. This will avoid shadows on the fabric and improve the background removal during editing.

Avoid Reflections and Transparencies

Avoid wearing clothing or accessories that are similar in colour to the background, as well as shiny or transparent materials. These elements can cause problems when trying to remove the background in post-production.

Fine Adjustments in Kinemaster

In addition to enabling chroma key, Kinemaster offers advanced options to fine-tune the background removal. You can experiment with the “intensity” and “softness” controls to achieve a more precise cut-out. Sometimes adjusting contrast or saturation can help the subject blend better with the new background.

Exporting and Sharing Your Final Video

Once you’ve adjusted all the chroma key details, the final step is to export the video. Kinemaster offers various export options, allowing you to choose the quality and format that best suits your needs:

• Click on the Export button in the top right corner.
• Select the resolution and frame rate you prefer. For platforms like YouTube, 1080p and 30fps are recommended as a minimum.
• Once exported, you can share your video directly on social media or save it in your mobile’s gallery.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the most common mistakes is not paying enough attention to lighting. Even a small shadow can cause issues when trying to remove the background.

Another mistake is not stretching or ironing the fabric used as the background, leading to wrinkles that are difficult to remove during editing.

Recommendations for Affordable Equipment

If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to invest much to achieve a good chroma key. There are affordable lighting kits and portable green screens that can significantly improve your results. You can also use a simple, well-stretched green or blue fabric to avoid spending on professional backdrops initially.

Doing chroma key from your mobile with Kinemaster is an accessible and straightforward task if you have the right tools and follow the steps mentioned. Whether you want to create content for social media, presentations, or creative videos, the combination of a well-lit background and Kinemaster’s functionality will allow you to achieve results that were once only possible with more complex programmes.

Take advantage of this powerful tool from your mobile and elevate your productions to a new level.