Sunday, September 9, 2012

Understanding the Basics of A CYC Wall

By Chloe Gib


A CYC wall is a backdrop that is often used for theater and photographic effects. The use of a cyclorama allows for control of the background so that you can simulate a range of effects. Some like to work with colors and patterns while others like to work with a background that appears infinite.

If the backdrop is painted white, then it can be used to take photos that have no background. Green screen CYC is utilized to mask the background and provide an illusion. Building a cyclorama will usually mean building a curving screen with no visible seams. Different materials can be used for construction like wood or fiber glass.

One procedure for construction will first look at the requirements for the dimensions. Then based on these, plywood is used to cover the whole area. The sheets are glued by using a combination of construction adhesive and drywall screws. Then plywood triangles with curved edges are used to produce the curvature necessary for the screen to work.

Then mesh lath is added to the curved area and then two layers of fiberglass are then applied. Four layers of drywall compound comes next, where each layer is sanded and allowed to dry before the next application. Finally, a primer and white paint is used to complete the backdrop.

Green screen CYCs use the same curving structure. However, the paint should be green and it should be a specialized paint has the ideal reflective properties. The paint helps the subject appear natural against the backdrop. The dimensions of the structure are also important because it determines the amount of movement that can occur. Finally, illumination should be even to get a good effect.

Because of the wide range of effects it can produce, it is used in many industrial applications. Fashion photography often uses this technique to play around with the elements of a photo. Television and movies also utilize cycloramas for special effects. Car and custom photography also utilize studio CYC to create images.

Using a cyclorama will mean having complete control over the lighting. Therefore sunlight and other kinds of illumination other than your own should be eliminated. The subject and the light source should then be positioned accordingly.

By using lights and positioning them at certain angles so that they hit the CYC wall evenly, you will get no shadows and the background gains the infinity effect. If you want the background to be dark, you use no lighting at all except on the subject. Shades and silhouettes can also be controlled by repositioning the light source.




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