Saturday, July 17, 2021

Folding Green Screen for Under $20

Green folding screen,
with two vertical fold lines.
Photo by Tom Worthington,
 17 July 2021 CC BY
The low cost photographic backdrop sheet I purchased, for making virtual Zoom backgrounds, works well but takes time to hang. I found a folding room divider screen at a charity store for $5. These type of screens are available online for under $100. I decided to paint it chroma key green. I tried the local hardware store, but they had never heard of chroma key.  The friendly staff at the I inquired via the Dulux website advised that the closest color in their consumer range was Zatar Leaf, or if I wanted the exact color it could be mixed at their trade store. So I went back to the hardware store and asked for a sample pot of Zatar Leaf (less than $10 for 250 ml).

Green folding screen,
with virtual background.
Fold lines are hidden by Zoom.

Photo by Tom Worthington,
 17 July 2021 CC BY
The screen is covered with canvas having a large photo mural on it. I painted over one side of the screen with a small roller. I also painted the sides of the screen. For the screen to stand it has to have the panels hinged in slightly. I placed the screen just behind my chair. As you can see in the photo, the joins in the screen are clearly visible as two vertical lines. I thought I would have to cover these with green tape. However, when Zoom's virtual background is switched on the lines disappear. 

This screen is only 1200 mm wide and has to be so close to fill the view, it is a bit cramped in front. I could use a camera with a narrower field of view, but a screen with four, rather than three 400 mm panels would be more practical.

I am considering painting the other side of the screen with chroma key blue. An alternative is to leave it with a decorative pattern, so I can put the screen in front of the desk when not in use so the room looks less like an office.

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