How to create a cinemagraph using Adobe Photoshop CS5 (FEATURED ON THE ROCK N' ROLL BRIDE BLOG)

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 :)

Comments

[Anna Z]

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

[Steven Andrew]

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!

[Tony]

I really love to do it on my own. I know it takes a lot of work but this is worth every try.

[BlythePonytailParades]

It's definitely worth a try!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thank you so much Steven :)

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thanks!!!

[erin]

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!

[BlythePonytailParades]

It's taking the video that can take some work, but the actual photoshopping isn't to hard at all :)

[Ronifeelsnostalgic]

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! :)

[Hannah]

great tutorial! thanks for sharing! i love the effect of them!

raspberrykitsch.blogspot.com

xx

[dottie]

omg... PINNING! :D

dottie

[Deidre]

THis is so cool!! I wish I had a better grasp on photoshop - someday.

[Karasyn]

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

[Crystal]

I love cinemagraphs! I definitely want to try making one when I get a camera that records video.

[Natalia]

This is genius! You're great, thank you so much for this tutorial! :D

[BlythePonytailParades]

BAHAHAHA Roni you seriously crack me up!!!! You are just an awesome person!

[BlythePonytailParades]

:) Thank you so much!

[BlythePonytailParades]

HAHA YAY!

[BlythePonytailParades]

It's not too hard. Just takes some practice :)

[BlythePonytailParades]

It's really not hard at all :) Just takes some getting used to and practice!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Yeah, it's definitely worth trying.

[BlythePonytailParades]

Haha no problem!

[Jessica]

This is just awesome! I can't wait to try it out!

www.pinsneedlesfashion.blogspot.com

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thank you Jessica :)

[Mallory]

This great - thank you! I've actually never seen cinemagraphs before, but I am officially in love.

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thank you so much Mallory :)

[{ Dust & Swallow }]

Such a great post! Really amazing! I'm in love!
Thank you for this tutorial! :)

[Frances]

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

[Jamie Rose]

This is so cool. I can't wait to try it sometime soon!

[Miss Marie Louise]

Thanks for this awesome tutorial!! I love it and will definitely try to make one myself :-)

www.missmarielouise.com

[Laura, la Mona]

Lovely <3 It's such a long tute, but it's SO worth it <3

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thank you so much!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Be sure to post it :)

[BlythePonytailParades]

Oh awesome!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Be sure to post it when you do :)

[BlythePonytailParades]

:) :) Thank you!

[Janna]

Thanks for the tips. I am amazed of the effect! I am sure I will be trying to do the same. :)

[Jinggy]

Very nice guide. Thanks for posting this. I'm a fan of doing PS, edit pics. Im gonna try this.

[Inspire Me Heather]

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!!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thank you Janna!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Awesome!

[BlythePonytailParades]

Thank you so much!

[Daphne]

This is so awesome! I was wondering how to make one, so I will definitely try this! Thanks for sharing! <3

[Clipping Path India]

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!!

[Md Rustam Ali]

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

[Clipping Solutions India]

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.

[Mille L. Jessen]

wow, it's a nice post. The photoshop tutorial are great. I try it.
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[Mille L. Jessen]

nice post

[Clipping Path Service]

WOW! I didn't know about this feature of Potoshop CS5. Very helpful post.

[gaby]

Can I do the same without video mode ,just using pictures taken with tripod?thx

[BlythePonytailParades]

You can! However it would not have the same smooth quality these do and would appear a bit more choppy.

[pritomdcruze]

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[Sumon]

Yeah, it's a great feature in photoshop cs5, thank you for sharing your great tutorial with us.