That "Dreamy" Look at DVinfo.net

Chris Wright · August 7th, 2004, 12:15 PM

I'm shooting another wedding today, but with this one I will be editing a short highlights video in addition to the full length ceremony. I have seen samples of this sort of highlights video with that really cool "dreamy" look and thats what I'd like to achieve. I have already messed around with duplicating the layer, and setting a 50% opacity and gaussian blur to the top layer to soften the image, and slowing the video to around 85-90%, and while I like that look, I want to take it a step further.

Its hard to describe (and sorry, I don't have a link), but what I have seen is video that has a sort of glow to it, making the bride and groom really stand out. Sorry if thats too little detail... im not sure how else to explain it.

If anyone knows what I'm talking about and knows how to achieve this look, please let me know.

I'll be doing this in Final Cut Pro 4

Thanks!

<side note> I've shot some test footage using my GL2's 16:9 in-camera mode, and I think it looks fine. has anyone else out there shot entire weddings in widescreen with a GL2?

Glen Elliott · August 7th, 2004, 02:23 PM

A very common way to achieve this (other than the soft focus effect you mentioned) is to add a "glow" filter. I'm not sure what it's called in FCP but I do know that it has it. The glow filter will allow the highlights to have diffusion. (ie lights, the bride's dress, and so on) the objects or areas with a higher luminance will take on a glowing diffussion effect.

These two are examples:

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Laz...ree%20Tops.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Laz.../V5%20Road.jpg

Billy Dalrymple · August 8th, 2004, 09:39 PM

Wha is the glow equivilet in Adobe Premiere? Would you use Channel Blur?

Chris Wright · August 8th, 2004, 09:45 PM

im having a hard time finding this glow filter in final cut pro also. i've looked around but cant find any filter that provides this sort of look.

can anyone tell me where the filter is and what the best settings are to use?

thanks

Glen Elliott · August 8th, 2004, 10:41 PM

Premiere I'm not sure- I haven't used it heavily since 6.5, and I haven't used Pro extensively- I use Vegas 5.

Regarding FCP you might want to ask the guys on the Mac Editing forum. Probably get an answer within minutes.

Carl Walters · August 9th, 2004, 07:00 AM

"Wha is the glow equivilet in Adobe Premiere? Would you use Channel Blur?"

The effect I use is very similar in PPro, simply create the copy track, add the gaussian blur approx 38, 50% opacity and add the alpha glow filter found in the "stylize" folder of video effects. Mess around with the levels to create the look you are after. It can also look good applying a B&w filter.

Norman Woo · August 9th, 2004, 10:45 AM

If you are using Adobe Premiere with the Matrox real-time card, there is a real-time effect called Soft Focus which I use to get that glowy dreamy effect. I'm using Premiere 6.5 with the Matrox RT2500 card. I'm currently saving up for the RT.X100 but with the introduction of the XL2, things have changed ...

Stephen Schleicher · August 9th, 2004, 11:19 AM

In final cut pro, you can duplicate the track and on the upper track apply a gaussian blur (20 pixels) and then use a transfer mode for a different soft look.

Cheers

Glen Elliott · August 9th, 2004, 02:48 PM

They aren't looking for a soft-focus- they are looking for a glow (ie white diffusion).

Billy Dalrymple · August 9th, 2004, 04:06 PM

Carl,

Just tried your suggestion and copied the clip, added Gaussian blur with ~50% opacity and that alone makes a world of difference in my clip. With the added alpha glow really nice look. Thanks.

Tim Borek · August 10th, 2004, 10:21 AM

In MediaStudio Pro 7, drag the Diffused Glow filter to the clip and bingo! Done. (Works best on stills and slow-mo clips; a little "trail" is visible when the filter is applied to fast-moving, bright objects.) I've started using the Diffused Glow more recently, and clients say it's beautiful.

Take care, and happy editing.

Chris Wright · August 10th, 2004, 11:47 AM

I'm still having a hard time finding a filter that does this in Final Cut Pro 4. I downloaded the demos of the Joe's Filters set (www.joesfilters.com), and there is a filter in that set called Joe's Color Glow that is exactly what I want. However, I am on a very limited budget and don't want to spend $100 on the full set of filters when I only need one. I can't find a way to purchase individual filters on his website.

Can anyone tell me if this effect is possible in final cut without these third party filters, or if not, is it possible to purchase this filter individually?

August 7th, 2004, 12:15 PM	#1
Chris Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lee's Summit, Missouri Posts: 146	That "Dreamy" Look I'm shooting another wedding today, but with this one I will be editing a short highlights video in addition to the full length ceremony. I have seen samples of this sort of highlights video with that really cool "dreamy" look and thats what I'd like to achieve. I have already messed around with duplicating the layer, and setting a 50% opacity and gaussian blur to the top layer to soften the image, and slowing the video to around 85-90%, and while I like that look, I want to take it a step further. Its hard to describe (and sorry, I don't have a link), but what I have seen is video that has a sort of glow to it, making the bride and groom really stand out. Sorry if thats too little detail... im not sure how else to explain it. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and knows how to achieve this look, please let me know. I'll be doing this in Final Cut Pro 4 Thanks! <side note> I've shot some test footage using my GL2's 16:9 in-camera mode, and I think it looks fine. has anyone else out there shot entire weddings in widescreen with a GL2? __________________ www.interactiverecipes.com

August 8th, 2004, 09:39 PM	#3
Billy Dalrymple Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 50	Wha is the glow equivilet in Adobe Premiere? Would you use Channel Blur? __________________ -Billy

August 8th, 2004, 09:45 PM	#4
Chris Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lee's Summit, Missouri Posts: 146	im having a hard time finding this glow filter in final cut pro also. i've looked around but cant find any filter that provides this sort of look. can anyone tell me where the filter is and what the best settings are to use? thanks __________________ www.interactiverecipes.com

August 9th, 2004, 11:19 AM	#8
Stephen Schleicher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 188	In final cut pro, you can duplicate the track and on the upper track apply a gaussian blur (20 pixels) and then use a transfer mode for a different soft look. Cheers __________________ Stephen Schleicher www.stephenschleicher.com

August 9th, 2004, 04:06 PM	#10
Billy Dalrymple Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 50	Carl, Just tried your suggestion and copied the clip, added Gaussian blur with ~50% opacity and that alone makes a world of difference in my clip. With the added alpha glow really nice look. Thanks. __________________ -Billy

August 7th, 2004, 02:23 PM	#2
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	A very common way to achieve this (other than the soft focus effect you mentioned) is to add a "glow" filter. I'm not sure what it's called in FCP but I do know that it has it. The glow filter will allow the highlights to have diffusion. (ie lights, the bride's dress, and so on) the objects or areas with a higher luminance will take on a glowing diffussion effect. These two are examples: http://www.msprotege.com/members/Laz...ree%20Tops.jpg http://www.msprotege.com/members/Laz.../V5%20Road.jpg

August 8th, 2004, 10:41 PM	#5
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Premiere I'm not sure- I haven't used it heavily since 6.5, and I haven't used Pro extensively- I use Vegas 5. Regarding FCP you might want to ask the guys on the Mac Editing forum. Probably get an answer within minutes.

August 9th, 2004, 07:00 AM	#6
Carl Walters Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: East Midlands Posts: 137	"Wha is the glow equivilet in Adobe Premiere? Would you use Channel Blur?" The effect I use is very similar in PPro, simply create the copy track, add the gaussian blur approx 38, 50% opacity and add the alpha glow filter found in the "stylize" folder of video effects. Mess around with the levels to create the look you are after. It can also look good applying a B&w filter.

August 9th, 2004, 10:45 AM	#7
Norman Woo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brossard, Quebec, Canada Posts: 147	If you are using Adobe Premiere with the Matrox real-time card, there is a real-time effect called Soft Focus which I use to get that glowy dreamy effect. I'm using Premiere 6.5 with the Matrox RT2500 card. I'm currently saving up for the RT.X100 but with the introduction of the XL2, things have changed ...

August 9th, 2004, 02:48 PM	#9
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	They aren't looking for a soft-focus- they are looking for a glow (ie white diffusion).

August 10th, 2004, 10:21 AM	#11
Tim Borek Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 353	Diffused Glow filter In MediaStudio Pro 7, drag the Diffused Glow filter to the clip and bingo! Done. (Works best on stills and slow-mo clips; a little "trail" is visible when the filter is applied to fast-moving, bright objects.) I've started using the Diffused Glow more recently, and clients say it's beautiful. Take care, and happy editing.

August 10th, 2004, 11:47 AM	#12
Chris Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lee's Summit, Missouri Posts: 146	I'm still having a hard time finding a filter that does this in Final Cut Pro 4. I downloaded the demos of the Joe's Filters set (www.joesfilters.com), and there is a filter in that set called Joe's Color Glow that is exactly what I want. However, I am on a very limited budget and don't want to spend $100 on the full set of filters when I only need one. I can't find a way to purchase individual filters on his website. Can anyone tell me if this effect is possible in final cut without these third party filters, or if not, is it possible to purchase this filter individually? __________________ www.interactiverecipes.com