FCP: Lens out-of-focus in post?

[Brian Boyko]

I was wondering if there's a way to simulate a lens-out-of-focus effect in Final Cut Pro - specifically, like a pull focus, only nothing is IN focus to begin with. I'd like to take some of my footage (which is completely in-focus) and make it seem like I was trying to focus in-and-out during the shot.

[Craig Parkes]

Use one of the many blur effects and key frame the blur to create the desired effect.

[Aric Mannion]

Something like "Gaussian blur" would work, but it totally doesn't look like the lens is out of focus, just blurred. I hate that! Even "lens blur" in after effects doesn't look like a real lens. You just don't get those octagonal shapes from lights... But "soft focus" is a pretty cool filter in Final Cut.

[Andrew Kimery]

Originally Posted by Aric Mannion

Something like "Gaussian blur" would work, but it totally doesn't look like the lens is out of focus, just blurred. I hate that! Even "lens blur" in after effects doesn't look like a real lens. You just don't get those octagonal shapes from lights... But "soft focus" is a pretty cool filter in Final Cut.

There's also no DOF to the blur when it's done in post unlike if you did a rack focus on the camera itself. Making something look blurry in post is easy. Making something look like a camera coming into focus is more difficult.


-A

[Noah Kadner]

Motion has a few more filters that look slightly more realistic but yeah nothing beats a real out of focused shot.

Noah

[Brian Boyko]

Originally Posted by Noah Kadner

Motion has a few more filters that look slightly more realistic but yeah nothing beats a real out of focused shot.

Noah

Hmm... I may just go with the blur... I plan to use these blurry shots for title overlays.