Knockout Services

gray screen

gray screen

H&H’s gray screen program has revolutionized the process for independent, professional photographers to utilize innovative product designs, flexible sales flyers, and a powerful workflow while using our clean and quick in-house knockout services.

Gray screen shooting is your best option when you need a quick turn around on service items like ID Cards and Admin Exports and can render those items on a clean gray background, saving the KO process for prints and other products for later.

1-2 Day Service Time

Please note: file size and image quality can affect service time.

lighting & setup

Lighting Diagram

Following this diagram to the letter is necessary for clean gray screen shooting. This setup has been tested and used within our automated KO system and renders the best results with clean edges and reduced color fall off from the backdrop. Variances from this setup are not allowed when shooting on gray.

  • 3 to 1 lighting ratio
  • Measure fill alone at 4.5
  • Measure main & fill together f8
  • Hair light – 10x24 Strip softbox with grid, measures at f4.5 to f5.6 at the back of the subject
Gray Screen Lighting Diagram

Hair Light Placement

For a more detailed description of hair light placement, please download this instructional PDF.

Download Hair Light Placement Instructions

Recommended Lighting Modifiers

We recommend the Photogenic 45” Eclipse Plus Umbrella with the white satin panel (ECP45) for the main and fill lights. For the hair light we recommend the 12x36 Interfit Strip Light (SLBR39).

Camera Settings

Setting Recommendation
ISO Between 100 and 400, ideally at 100
Aperture Between f8 and f11, ideally at f8
Shutter Speed between 100 and 200, ideally at 125
Focal Length Between 45mm and 85mm
White Balance Custom
File Size 4-6 MB, ideally 8x12 at 300ppi
Color Space sRGB
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Backdrop

The value of the gray is important. This is the only option allowed for use on our gray screen KO system.

Savage (choose #09 "STONE GRAY")
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how to order

To order this product download our hhschools software.

download hhschools
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prices

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H&H has a one-time charge for gray screen knockout. After that there are no additional image processing charges. Your png images are available to use for service items, reorders, additional backgrounds, and multiple sales opportunities for 9 months. You may also download your knocked-out png images from our website.

Included in this price is the cleanup required when the occasional subject wears the same color as the background. If a majority of subjects are wearing clothing that matches the background, additional charges may apply.

At times, however, improper lighting, exposure, prop use or photographer error can require manual clean-up to your images. Anytime manual clean-up is needed, you will be contacted so we can help you troubleshoot what happened and how we can prevent it in the future. When necessary, you will be charged a per minute for these clean-up services. When the charges are less than $100, we will continue with the clean-up and notify you with the reason. When the estimated charges are greater than $100, we will contact you to request approval before proceeding with the clean-up.