Cinemagraph tutorial

[fernx.x]

Hi, my name is Fernando, im from Puerto Rico and this is my first post in DPS. I hope you like it.
I made a tutorial about what many called Cinemagraph more than a photo, but not quite a video.



The cinemagraph are simply a .gif file with more artistic feel that the regular .gif you see everywhere. You need first a good picture that look great as a still photo. When you have your composition right and everything ready, ask your models to stay as still as possible for you to take a video in the highest resolution that your camera had. Remember to use a tripod to minimize camera shake. I use 1080p at 25 fps this will help you to have a better picture quality when you work with the frames.
Now you have your video, open Photoshop CS5 go to file>open and search for the video



In the animation palette select only the frames that you want the movement, one or two second are enough in most case but you make that decision. When you are happy with the selection go to file>export>Render Video… Then rename the file and hit Render.
Now go to File>import>video frame to layers… Now the animation palette have the frame and in the layers palette have all the frame in layers that you can mask and edit. Select the fist frame and in the layer palette only the fist layer would be visible. This is going to be the still photograph. Select the second frame and in the layer palette select both the fist layer and the second layer. Mask the second layer to show the part you want to move.
Make the same with all the frames just remember that the layer that are visible are the ones that are going to appear in that specific frame.
You can preview the animation at anytime by pressing the space bar.
To make an smooth transition in the animation the fist frame most be the same as the last frame. Is easy to make this once you finish all the masking and everything. Select all frames copy them and paste them after the original frames. Now in the animation palette menu select Reverse frame and you are done.



Select the time for each frame to show, play with the value until you like the result, mine work with 0.16 sec in each frame . You can add some adjustment layer on the top to change the colors or give other effect. Since its going to be a .gif file we are limited with 256 colors thats why its a good idea to give a Duo-tone or cross processing to limit the color and get the most of the gif file. I use the cross processing effect for my image, once you are done, it’s time to make the gif file.
To save the animation go to File>save for web and device, select gif, make sure the animation loop is set to forever



That’s it, you are done. If you make one please leave a comment with the link, i will love to see them.

fernandojbaez.com

[fernx.x]

anyone have a comment??? it was useful? something....

[Jasmeet]

It was great. TFS

[booney012]

Hi there, I am in the process of learning how to do this and your post inspire me more. It's great actually. I just joined in and eager to learn anything under the sun in photography.