The BaseXStudio™ kit with GreenScreen has been prepared for users who want to achieve TV effects (virtual television studio) or from professional film sets in home conditions. Contrary to appearances, this kit combined with computer programs available online (e.g., the free version of DaVinci Resolve) allows achieving such effects. Additionally, YouTube offers practical and factual tips on how to achieve specific effects.

The kit includes essential elements for building a home photography studio - a background hanging set, basic background, and lighting. The green background meets the requirements necessary for color keying. The light's power enables photography in the range of frames from close-ups (portrait, detail) to half-close-ups (bust). In the case of non-living nature, the frame is limited only by the width of the background. The kit can also be used for filming (live, stream, remote learning). Higher sensitivities are then required.

Blue box (also known as bluescreen, GreenScreen, chroma key) is an image processing technique that involves replacing the background with a relatively uniform color (originally blue, hence the name) with any other image. It's widely used in television (most often during weather forecasts and news programs) and film (to place actors in computer-generated environments). The background color is usually blue or green because these colors are considered least similar to skin tone and appear less frequently in costumes and props.

In digital video recordings, color is represented by three numbers indicating the brightness of the color components (RGB). The blue box effect is achieved through a simple comparison of the values of these numbers at specific points in the recording with the background color. If the colors match (exactly or within a certain margin), that point in the recording is replaced by an alternative background.

A person participating in a blue box recording should not wear clothing in a similar color to the background, as it will be replaced by the alternative image. They also shouldn't hold objects of such a color. This can be used to create an effect of an invisible character wearing an invisibility cap.

In some Polish TV channels (e.g., TVP, TVN Meteo Active), blue box is used for presenting weather forecasts. Public television in the years 1990-1992 used blue box in "Wiadomości" to generate a uniform blue background and present animations next to the presenter. In the years 1997-2002, it was used in the same program to generate a newsroom image behind the presenter's back. Source: Wikipedia.

The lighting used in the kit is classic studio continuous lighting - single bulb softbox lamps on lighting stands. Softboxes are equipped with PureLight™ photographic bulbs with standardized parameters (color temperature 5500K and color rendering index CRI >90). Softboxes are a basic element of a photography studio, used to change the light's properties: size of the glowing surface, intensity, and direction. This type of lamp is gaining popularity in video productions. It also serves as an excellent alternative to kinoflo lamps.

Softbox softens tonal transitions between light and shadow. Light is evenly distributed inside the softbox and maintains equal power across the entire diffuser surface. The outside of the softbox is matte black, preventing it from reflecting other lights' glare. Folding and unfolding are exceptionally simple, and when folded, the softbox takes up little space. High-quality materials used in its construction guarantee trouble-free operation for years. Designed and manufactured to ensure safe use with fluorescent bulbs.

In BaseXStudio™ kits, a minimum of 2 lamps are used due to mutual shadow compensation - one lamp serves as the main light source, while the other acts as supplementary lighting. The power of the bulbs used is provided in the technical specification (below).

The BaseXStudio™ kit includes classic studio continuous lighting, i.e., single bulb softbox lamps on lighting stands. Softboxes are basic elements of a photography studio designed to change the light's properties: size of the glowing surface, intensity, and direction. Lamps of this type gain increasing popularity in video productions. They also serve as an excellent alternative to kinoflo lamps. In the BaseXStudio™ kit, 2 lamps are used due to mutual shadow compensation - one lamp serves as the main light source, while the other acts as supplementary lighting. The inside of the fixture's dome is finished with silver material. Light is evenly distributed already inside the softbox and maintains equal power across the entire diffuser surface. The outside of the softbox is matte black, preventing it from reflecting other lights' glare.

The lamps are equipped with PureLight™ photographic bulbs with an E27 base and standardized parameters (neutral color temperature of 5500K and color rendering index CRI >90). Thanks to the natural color reproduction, the bulb does not introduce any color distortions. The generated light stream, achieved after approximately 90 seconds from turning on, amounts to 3900 lumens and corresponds (approximately) to a 325W halogen bulb.
Folding and unfolding of the softbox is exceptionally simple, and when folded, it takes up little space. High-quality materials used in its construction guarantee trouble-free operation for years.

The maximum height of a single stand is 230cm. The recommended working height is 220 cm. The stand has convenient section clamps and a studio head with a universal 1/4" thread.
The telescopic mechanism provides a wide range of the stand's operation (78-230 cm, adjustable to any height) and various applications. The leg spread (from foot to foot) is 75cm.
The stands work excellently not only with softboxes but also with flashlights and continuous lights, halogen lamps.

The background hanging kit consists of two CGLS-816B studio stands and a foldable dual-section bar attached to them. The frame allows for the suspension of various photographic backgrounds (cardboard, vinyl, or fabric) up to 5 kg and with a maximum width of 165 cm. Backgrounds can be suspended at heights ranging from 83 cm to even 205 cm.
The bar is attached to the stands using butterfly nuts, which prevents it from lifting during the background's ascent. Unrolling the background from the roll is blocked by plugging in two grips (frogs) included with the kit.

The width and length of the fabric on the roll are sufficient to create a continuous background without folds (cyclorama) for photographing a figure. The cardboard roll protects against creases during transport or storage. Potential creases can be easily removed by steaming or wetting the background. Perforated texture of the background minimizes reflections from strong light sources. The cardboard roll, on which the background is wound, serves as an easy-to-store and transport base for the background, allowing it to be suspended on a studio bar or with T-type hangers. We strongly recommend purchasing the background suspension simultaneously, significantly improving work quality in the studio and the achieved effects.

Creative use of the background requires the photographer or camera operator to plan the frame and the desired effect after applying chroma keying. Of course, a computer with appropriate software will be necessary for this. The good news is that there are free versions of software available on the market that allow image keying in both photography and film. For those starting work with green background as greenscreen, we strongly recommend materials published on YouTube.

Note regarding material texture - people who encounter photographic polypropylene backgrounds for the first time fear that the background's texture will be visible in photos. In real conditions, the object remains about 50 cm away from the background, which, combined with shallow depth of field, causes the background's texture to blur.

Choosing lighting power

When selecting lighting for a photography studio, it's essential to ensure the proper amount of light needed for the intended purpose. Home Photography Studio kits may contain (depending on the version) from 2 to 16 bulbs.

• Non-living nature does not require strong lighting.
  If you're photographing an inanimate object, you can freely use single bulb lamps. In product photography, exposure time is arbitrary and always allows for proper exposure adjustment. A tripod will come in handy.
• Beware of people (and animals).
  During photography of people and animals, exposure time is limited. Especially children's and lively animal photography requires significantly more light. Single bulb lamps will pass the test at short distances (approx. 0.5 m).
• The wider the frame - the more bulbs.
  One can assume that for a portrait, two single bulb lamps can be used. During photography with a large close-up, the distance of the softbox from the face is small and ensures proper exposure. Increasing the frame very quickly forces an increase in light quantity.
• Fashion on live models.
  If you plan fashion photography with a model (male or female), choose kits with two or more four-bulb softboxes.