matte

photography

Also known as: traveling matte

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

In photography, "matte" refers to a finish that lacks surface luster or gloss, creating a smooth, even surface free from shine or highlights. This is the opposite of a glossy finish.12

In a different context, "matte" can also describe a crude mixture of sulfides formed during the smelting of certain metal ores. Additionally, it is used in filmmaking to describe a special effect where a portion of a scene is blocked out and later replaced with other footage, such as a background painting.3

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motion-picture technology
Special effects
To create a traveling matte shot, it is necessary to obtain an opaque image of the foreground actors or objects against a transparent background. This is done by exploiting film’s special sensitivity to blue light. In a traditional blue-screen process the actor is posed before a primary blue background,…
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To create a traveling matte shot, it is necessary to obtain an opaque image of the foreground actors or objects against a transparent background. This is done by exploiting film’s special sensitivity to blue light. In a traditional blue-screen process the actor is posed before a primary blue background,…
Read More