Turning A Boring Photo Into an Epic Video!

Skyler Burt
25 Apr 202414:47

TLDRIn this sponsored video by Storyblocks, the creator takes a mundane photograph of iced coffee and transforms it into an epic video. The process involves strategic lighting with key and fill lights to enhance the cup's reflection and rim highlight. A secret recipe is used to create long-lasting fake condensation on the cup. Additional elements like pouring cream are captured in rapid succession to add motion in post-production. Using Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve, the still image is turned into a stop-motion video with a dramatic background, incorporating stock footage of clouds and sunrays to give the illusion of movement and depth. The final product is an engaging and dynamic visual that goes beyond the initial brief, demonstrating the creator's commitment to delivering exceptional content.

Takeaways

  • 🎬 The video is sponsored by Storyblocks, a platform offering diverse and high-quality media for a predictable subscription cost.
  • 📸 The creator aims to make a photograph of iced coffee and cream, which is initially described as boring but meets the client's request.
  • 🔆 Key lighting is used to create a nice reflection on the right-hand side of the cup, modified with a disc reflector for a softer look.
  • 💡 A large roll diffusion paper is employed to blend out the reflection from the key light, maintaining the light's strength and harder qualities.
  • 🔄 A 20-degree grid dish reflector is used for the second light to fill in the left-hand side of the cup and provide a highlight on the rim.
  • 🌟 The third light with a snoot is used to add drama to the background, although it took several attempts to get it right.
  • 🍹 A secret recipe is mentioned for creating realistic-looking, long-lasting fake condensation on the cup, which will be shared on Patreon.
  • 📹 The final shot involves pouring cream into the coffee while the camera captures the action, aiming to create a dynamic still image.
  • ⏱️ Post-production involves turning still images into a stop-motion video clip in Photoshop, using a sequence of images to create motion.
  • 🎨 Additional elements like whipped cream are added in post-production, and the background is subtracted to integrate new visual elements.
  • 🌁 DaVinci Resolve is used to edit the final video, incorporating stock videos and applying effects to blend and animate them with the main footage.
  • 🚀 The video concludes with an encouragement to 'Crank It Up to 11', symbolizing going beyond the basics to achieve outstanding results.

Q & A

  • What is the main goal of the video?

    -The main goal of the video is to transform a boring photograph of iced coffee into an epic video by using various lighting techniques and post-production editing.

  • What is the first step in creating the desired lighting effect?

    -The first step is to set up the key light to create a nice reflection on the right-hand side of the cup using a disc reflector.

  • How does the creator modify the light to achieve a harder quality?

    -The creator modifies the light by using a large roll diffusion paper placed between the light and the cup to blend out the reflection while maintaining the light's strength.

  • What tool does the creator use to modify the second light?

    -The creator uses a 20-degree grid dish reflector combo to modify the second light, which fills in the left-hand side of the cup and provides a highlight on the rim.

  • How does the creator plan to add drama to the background?

    -The creator plans to add drama to the background by using a snoot on the third light and adjusting its position to create a slight vignette effect.

  • What is the secret recipe mentioned for creating realistic-looking condensation?

    -The secret recipe for creating realistic-looking condensation that lasts is mentioned to be shared in a short video on the creator's Patreon.

  • How does the creator plan to turn the still image into motion?

    -The creator plans to turn the still image into motion by capturing images of cream being poured into the coffee, then combining these images with additional elements in post-production to create a stop-motion effect.

  • What software is used to combine the images into a video clip?

    -Adobe Photoshop is used to combine the images into a video clip by importing them as an image sequence and setting a frame rate.

  • How does the creator remove the green screen background in post-production?

    -The creator uses the Keyer Select Delta effect in DaVinci Resolve to remove the green screen background and fine-tune the matte to ensure a clean result.

  • What is the purpose of adding clouds and a Sunray clip to the final video?

    -The purpose of adding clouds and a Sunray clip is to enhance the visual appeal and create a sense of depth and motion in the final video, making it more engaging.

  • What is the name of the media subscription service recommended by the creator for high-quality media downloads?

    -The media subscription service recommended by the creator is called Storyblocks, which offers unlimited downloads of diverse and high-quality media for a predictable subscription cost.

  • What advice does the creator give for exceeding client expectations?

    -The creator advises to first deliver exactly what the client asks for, then, once that's achieved, to push past the brief and take creative risks to potentially create something even better.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Lighting and Styling the Perfect Ice Coffee Shot

The video begins with the host discussing a sponsored project to create a photograph of iced coffee and cream. Despite the client's request for a 'beautifully boring' image, the host plans to enhance the shot creatively. The lighting setup includes a key light to create a reflection on the cup, a fill light with a grid dish reflector for highlighting the cup's rim, and a third light with a snoot for adding drama to the background. The host also shares a secret recipe for creating long-lasting fake condensation on the cup and hints at a Patreon tutorial on the subject. The segment concludes with the host adding cream to the coffee and capturing the moment in a series of high-speed shots to be used in post-production.

05:02

🎨 Post-Production: From Still Image to Motion

After capturing the still images, the host moves on to post-production. Using Photoshop, the host imports the images as a video clip, selects a frame rate of 10 for a stop-motion effect, and creates a mask to remove the yellow background. The host then adds an image with whipped cream on top, ensuring a clean transition between the stop motion and the static image. The host also discusses the use of Storyblocks for sourcing royalty-free media, including the cloud and sunray clips used in the project. The video concludes with the host's transition to Da Vinci Resolve for further editing, where the green screen footage is keyed out, and the aspect ratio is adjusted to match the still image background.

10:02

🌟 Adding Depth with Clouds and Sunrays in Da Vinci Resolve

In the final paragraph, the host uses Da Vinci Resolve to add depth and motion to the video. The green screen stop motion is placed on the timeline, followed by the still image background. The host changes the aspect ratio to accommodate the larger image size and proceeds to remove the green background using the Keyer Select Delta effect. The host then adds cloud clips from Storyblocks, adjusting their opacity and movement to simulate natural wind. Lastly, a sunray clip is added and adjusted to blend seamlessly with the rest of the footage. The host emphasizes the importance of exceeding client expectations by going beyond the initial brief and encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and engage with the content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Key Light

The key light is the primary light source in a photography or videography setup. It is used to create the main illumination and shadows in a scene. In the video, the key light is positioned to produce a nice reflection on the right-hand side of the cup, which is a crucial part of achieving the desired visual effect.

💡Disc Reflector

A disc reflector is a photography accessory used to modify the quality of light from a light source. It typically comes in different colors and is used to either soften or intensify the light. In the script, the disc reflector is used to modify the key light, helping to control the reflection on the cup.

💡Diffusion Paper

Diffusion paper is a material used in photography to scatter light, reducing harshness and creating a softer light effect. It is placed between the light source and the subject to create a more even and less contrasty lighting. In the video, large roll diffusion paper is used to modify the key light, blending out the reflection on the cup.

💡Grid Dish Reflector

A grid dish reflector is a tool used in photography to focus and control the direction of light. It consists of a dish-shaped reflector with a honeycomb-like grid attached to it. In the video, a 20-degree grid dish reflector is used as the second light to fill in the left-hand side of the cup and provide a highlight on the rim.

💡Condensation

Condensation refers to the droplets of water that form when a warm surface comes into contact with cooler air. In the context of the video, the creator mentions a secret recipe for creating realistic-looking, yet fake, condensation on the cup, which adds to the visual appeal and realism of the photograph.

💡Snoot

A snoot is a photography accessory that attaches to a light source to narrow and focus the light beam. It is used to create a spotlight effect, adding drama and highlighting specific areas of a scene. In the video, a snoot is placed on the third light to add drama to the background.

💡Post-Production

Post-production refers to the process of editing and enhancing a video or photograph after it has been captured. This can include color correction, adding visual effects, and compositing multiple elements together. In the script, post-production involves turning still images into a motion piece using Photoshop and Da Vinci Resolve.

💡Stop Motion

Stop motion is a type of animation technique where individual static images are photographed in succession, creating the illusion of movement when played as a sequence. The video creator plans to use this technique to animate the process of cream being poured into the coffee.

💡Green Screen

A green screen is a backdrop used in filming and photography where the green color is removed in post-production, allowing for other images or backgrounds to be inserted behind the subject. In the video, a green screen is used to isolate the cup and cream, making it easier to composite them with different backgrounds.

💡Da Vinci Resolve

Da Vinci Resolve is a professional video editing software that offers tools for color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production. It is used in the video to edit the final video, including the removal of the green screen background and adding various visual elements.

💡Storyblocks

Storyblocks is a subscription-based service that provides users with unlimited access to a library of stock media, including video clips, images, and audio tracks. The video creator uses Storyblocks to find and download high-quality media for the project, such as cloud and sunray footage.

Highlights

The video is sponsored by Storyblocks and focuses on transforming a simple photograph into an epic video.

The process begins with creating a well-lit and styled, albeit boring, photograph of iced coffee.

Key light is used to create a nice reflection on the right-hand side of the cup.

A disc reflector is used to modify the light and achieve the desired reflection.

A large roll diffusion paper is introduced to soften the reflection and maintain the light's strength.

A 20-degree grid dish reflector is employed to provide fill light and highlight the cup's rim.

The presenter shares a secret recipe for creating realistic, long-lasting fake condensation on the cup.

A snoot is used on the third light to add drama to the background.

The presenter discusses the importance of exceeding client expectations by taking creative risks.

Extra elements, such as pouring cream, are added to the shot for a unique creative spin.

The video demonstrates turning still images into a stop-motion sequence using Photoshop.

A green screen is used, and the background is removed using the Keyer Select Delta effect in DaVinci Resolve.

Stock videos from Storyblocks are incorporated to enhance the final video composition.

The presenter shows how to create a soft light effect and add motion to clouds for a more dynamic scene.

Sunray footage is added and adjusted to blend seamlessly with the rest of the video.

The final video is a transformed version of the initial still image, showcasing the power of creative editing.

Storyblocks is praised for its unlimited downloads and diverse, high-quality media offerings.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and engage with the content.