Is it possible to add ''camera flashes'' effect to videos via MEP?

Apollo89x wrote on 12/31/2022, 1:51 AM

I just wondered if MEP offers any sort of feature by which you can add camera-flashing effect to videos?

I've looked at the 'lens-flare' tab, but that just creates a static light-flare on the video...
Wheras what I am seeking would be 'dynamic + automatic' camera-flash effects (to replicate a boxing match ring sorta dynamic, where camera-flashes are occuring from behind the camera).

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 12/31/2022, 6:18 AM

@Apollo89x

Hi.

Not that I'm aware of. The effect would only be applied to one frame of a video at most as the typical flash duration of a Speed-light at full power is typically 1/400s and at lower powers up to 1/2000s. That is a fraction of the amount of exposure time a single frame of video would take, At best it would illuminated anything within twenty feet in front of you for the duration of one frame. So perhaps the backs of heads and clothing of people in front of you for the briefest of time. I will see if I can dig out some actual footage of it happening for real.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 12/31/2022, 7:33 AM

. . . . MEP offers any sort of feature by which you can add camera-flashing effect to videos? . . . .

Yes it is possible to simulate flashes from cameras with no 3rd party effects required.

Using the Glow effect you need three keyframes per flash 1 or 2 frames apart - see first image below

KF 1 - Intensity is set to 0 see first image below

KF 2 - set Intensity to however high you want it to be see second image below

KF 3 - repeat of KF 1

These form a single flash.

The trick is how to repeat these easily for as many times as you wish - select KF 1 and, while holding down the Shift key select KF 3 - then use the Copy the currently selected keyframes button.

Move the cursor to where you want the next flash to be and use the Inserts the copied keyframes to the current cursor position button - rinse and repeat moving the cursor and inserting the copied keyframes.

Added: to create some variance in the intensity of the flashes, you only need to click KF 2 of a group of 3 and adjust the Intensity.

Here is the quick example:

Do be aware that the rate of flashes should not be within the 3 - 8 times per second range this can induce epileptic fits in susceptable viewers - you may want to include a warning re flashing lights when public publishing or streaming such videos.

HTH

John EB
Forum Moderator

Apollo89x wrote on 12/31/2022, 12:21 PM

Thankyou...

Can I ask how exactly do I set/create ''key-frames'' though please??

johnebaker wrote on 1/1/2023, 5:28 AM

@Apollo89x

. . . . do I set/create ''key-frames'' . . . .

With reference to the image below:

With the Glow effect applied and selected (1) in the keyframe panel - ensure this remains selected before each action below.

Position the timeline cursor as required, adjust the Glow Intensity setting to 0 if not already so, and add a keyframe (2)
Move the timeline cursor 1 or 2 frames further on and adjust the Glow Intensity setting - a second keyframe should appear automatically - if it does not the Glow may have become deselected (1)
Move the timeline cursor 1 or 2 frames further on and adjust the Glow Intensity setting to 0, a third keyframe should appear automatically.
Select the three keyframes as previously described and use the Copy the currently selected keyframes button (3) to copy the keyframes
Position the timeline cursor to the position required for the next 'flash' and use the Inserts the copied keyframes to the current cursor position button (4) this becomes active once you have made a copy of the keyframes- repeat this step as many times as required.

HTH

John EB