As you may have seen in previous posts here, here, and here, all featuring my baby Marshmallow, I love to create cinemagraphs. If you want the technical term, click here, but in essence, it is a video where everything is isolated besides one moving thing/part/etc. So you could take a video of a crowded street and in essence, pause everyone but one person who might be moving.
Check out these examples:
Click here to see more examples!
I'm still very excited to try many more subject matters, but today I will show you how I worked through my video to create a cinemagraph. I will note, using living objects or anything near someone's face (like moving hair as I did) can be difficult. I wouldn't recommend it for your first one. The reflection of the car in the window above is a great example of a simple cinemagraph!
I will preface by saying that you will need a basic knowledge of photoshop to attempt this tutorial. If you aren't sure how to use photoshop, than this tutorial might end up not being explained well enough. So bare with me and ask as many questions as you need to!
First, you will need to come up with a subject matter, decide what you want to be moving and what you are going to isolate. For my video, we set up a tripod (which is essential) in our living room and turned on the video recording spot on my camera. I sat on the couch with a fan blowing at me and I wanted to isolate everything but a few hairs that would move with the air.
So once you have your video file, here's what you do:
File- Import- Video Frames to layers- locate your file.
Now this box will allow you to choose how many frames you want to include and allows you to narrow down your video from say 30 seconds to 5 seconds. The shorter, the easier.
I am going to reduce the image size. Doing this will keep your file size from being HUGE and it's not necessary to have an enormous GIF (which is how we will save this file).
Make sure "constrain proportions" is selected. Then reduce to whatever you want. I think I changed my width to 8 inches.
Now, go to Window- Animation.
Find your first image in both layers and animation. This will be your top image (so this image would be what would show my face, background and everything besides my hair which will be moving). Now shift click and select all of your animation frames and turn the eye on for that top layer. So now this first layer will be visible on top of every other frame currently. If you click PLAY in the animation box, it will simply show this top picture. Nothing will move. If so, you have done it correctly. You want every frame to have 2 layers visible, the top first layer and one other layer that corresponds with your animation (please comment if you are having a hard time following this part).
See the eye turned on for that top layer? That eye should be turned on for every animation frame you click on. (Please disregard the names of my layers)
Now click on the first frame in your animation and the top layer. Use your selection tool to frame the areas you want to shine through and show off movement. Here, I have selected the edges of my hair. Now, press delete.
Go to your animation and press PLAY. You should see your top layer remaining completely still while the deleted area allows the movement from all the frames to shine through.
You're done! Now got to File- Save for Web and save as a GIF. You're done :)
I additionally did color adjusting to my frames to give it a vintage feel. That would have taken too long to explain, but here is my result.
Hope this was helpful to some of you and please please let me know if you have questions or had issues with any of my instructions. Thanks everyone :)
I'll say it once and I'll say it again, such an awesome post. Well done Violet! I'm so excited to try this out. <3
Posted by: Anna Z | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 06:34
Such a cool post! I've always wondered how people did it and yours came out AMAZING.. and you look so beautiful! :)
I have to try this now!
Posted by: Steven Andrew | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 08:38
I really love to do it on my own. I know it takes a lot of work but this is worth every try.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 12:13
It's definitely worth a try!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 12:17
Thank you so much Steven :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 12:17
Thanks!!!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 12:17
i'm hoping one day i get the time(and then the motivation once i have the time)to try this one! end product is so awesome!
Posted by: erin | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 12:32
It's taking the video that can take some work, but the actual photoshopping isn't to hard at all :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 12:34
I don't want to put a curse word on your blog, but basically these kinds of pictures that you post have always impressed me, HOWEVER, when I saw that taxi cab drive by in the window I let out a "Holy __(you fill in the rest)__". This is so awesome! Unfortunately I don't have even a basic understanding of photoshop so I can't even begin to grasp this. But just know that I appreciate that you took the time to do this tutorial for all those that do get photoshop. Just that last picture of your hair flowing too is suuuper cool! :)
Posted by: Ronifeelsnostalgic | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 14:15
great tutorial! thanks for sharing! i love the effect of them!
raspberrykitsch.blogspot.com
xx
Posted by: Hannah | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 14:25
omg... PINNING! :D
dottie
Posted by: dottie | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 15:33
THis is so cool!! I wish I had a better grasp on photoshop - someday.
Posted by: Deidre | Friday, April 27, 2012 at 23:53
this.is.fantastic.
I've been wondering how to make one of these, and this tutorial is awesome! Hopefully, I am smart enough for it :p
Posted by: Karasyn | Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 09:22
I love cinemagraphs! I definitely want to try making one when I get a camera that records video.
Posted by: Crystal | Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 11:56
This is genius! You're great, thank you so much for this tutorial! :D
Posted by: Natalia | Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 15:07
BAHAHAHA Roni you seriously crack me up!!!! You are just an awesome person!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:47
:) Thank you so much!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:47
HAHA YAY!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:47
It's not too hard. Just takes some practice :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:48
It's really not hard at all :) Just takes some getting used to and practice!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:48
Yeah, it's definitely worth trying.
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:48
Haha no problem!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Monday, April 30, 2012 at 06:48
This is just awesome! I can't wait to try it out!
www.pinsneedlesfashion.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jessica | Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 10:46
Thank you Jessica :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Wednesday, May 02, 2012 at 06:12
This great - thank you! I've actually never seen cinemagraphs before, but I am officially in love.
Posted by: Mallory | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 10:28
Thank you so much Mallory :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 10:36
Such a great post! Really amazing! I'm in love!
Thank you for this tutorial! :)
Posted by: { Dust & Swallow } | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 13:18
wow that is so cool! I'm not that good at photoshop yet, but I'd love to give this a try :)
tobequitefranki.blogspot.com
Posted by: Frances | Monday, May 07, 2012 at 11:51
This is so cool. I can't wait to try it sometime soon!
Posted by: Jamie Rose | Monday, May 07, 2012 at 18:52
Thanks for this awesome tutorial!! I love it and will definitely try to make one myself :-)
www.missmarielouise.com
Posted by: Miss Marie Louise | Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 04:04
Lovely <3 It's such a long tute, but it's SO worth it <3
Posted by: Laura, la Mona | Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 06:53
Thank you so much!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 08:27
Be sure to post it :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 08:27
Oh awesome!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 08:27
Be sure to post it when you do :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 08:28
:) :) Thank you!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 08:28
Thanks for the tips. I am amazed of the effect! I am sure I will be trying to do the same. :)
Posted by: Janna | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:19
Very nice guide. Thanks for posting this. I'm a fan of doing PS, edit pics. Im gonna try this.
Posted by: Jinggy | Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 00:00
That is just too cool - love that!!! I have this linked to my post on photo editing for bloggers as well today, thanks for posting!!
Posted by: Inspire Me Heather | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 06:56
Thank you Janna!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 08:17
Awesome!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 08:17
Thank you so much!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 08:17
This is so awesome! I was wondering how to make one, so I will definitely try this! Thanks for sharing! <3
Posted by: Daphne | Sunday, September 09, 2012 at 14:28
OMG, absolutely fascinating…!! Loved this tutorial, learned so much from it — and can’t wait to dig into the PSD file to see all the nuts and bolts! I have watched many Photoshop tutorials over the years, and this is the first time I have ever felt prompted to actually leave a comment about one. Thank you sooooo much for your wonderful website and all the time you put into your fabulous tutorials — you are THE BEST!!
Posted by: Clipping Path India | Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 23:14
Amazing tutorial for good animation creation in adobe photoshop software. Really I'm glad to see your advance level tutorial. I think it's very helpful tutorial for all photoshop learner.
Clipping Creation India
Posted by: Md Rustam Ali | Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 03:02
Adobe Photoshop CS5 is very upgrade version for create animated gif file and this tutorial very amazing and effective tips for create a gif animation file. Thanks sharing for your good idea.
Posted by: Clipping Solutions India | Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 22:53
wow, it's a nice post. The photoshop tutorial are great. I try it.
clipping paths
Posted by: Mille L. Jessen | Thursday, May 08, 2014 at 22:24
nice post
Posted by: Mille L. Jessen | Thursday, May 08, 2014 at 22:25
WOW! I didn't know about this feature of Potoshop CS5. Very helpful post.
Posted by: Clipping Path Service | Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 01:02
Can I do the same without video mode ,just using pictures taken with tripod?thx
Posted by: gaby | Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 08:56
You can! However it would not have the same smooth quality these do and would appear a bit more choppy.
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 12:39
i'm very happy to get such a beautiful blog for see man thing guys i want to share my experience with you there are many site for clipping but non of there are good or professional there is a site name Touchclipping there works are fantastic and the payment is very cheap every one can effort it very well there delivery time very accurate
Posted by: pritomdcruze | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 00:04
Yeah, it's a great feature in photoshop cs5, thank you for sharing your great tutorial with us.
Posted by: Sumon | Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 05:22