FRC Feature – My new hobby, The Cinemagraph
Scott shares his new passion, trying to master the art of the Cinemagraph
I have been a bit busy lately, not with work, blogging, watching films, or anything exciting. I have become obsessed in trying to learn how to make CINEMAGRAPHS. But what exactly are cinemagraphs?
Well I will leave it to WIKIPEDIA to define…
Cinemagraphs are still photographs in which a minor and repeated movement occurs. Cinemagraphs, which are usually published in an animated GIF format, can give the illusion that the viewer is watching a video.
They are commonly produced by taking a series of photographs or a video recording, and, using image editing software, compositing the photographs or the video frames into a seamless loop of sequential frames, often using the animated GIF file format in such a manner that motion in part of the subject between exposures (for example, a person’s dangling leg) is perceived as a repeating or continued motion, in contrast with the stillness of the rest of the image.
The term “cinemagraph” was coined by U.S. photographers Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck, who used the technique to animate their fashion and news photographs beginning in early 2011
The above mentioned Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck are true masters at this. Brilliant photographers with great skill. But I wanted to try to do them from films. I saw THIS thread of cinemagraphs made from Kubrick films (again with a lot more skill than I possess) and it was on!!
Now I have only been properly trying these this week. And mostly from trailers. Which in itself is pretty hard because the film makers want to show as much action in a trailer as possible so having a still camera, which is essential for someone who is learning, is almost non-existent. Anyway enough excuses here are my first attempts…
FINDING NEMO
SHAME
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
WOMAN IN BLACK
SIN CITY
As you can see, some have worked better than others, but I am still learning. I have yet to attempt anything like a person walking across the screen. Doing these ones was time consuming enough! Thanks for looking
About The Author – Scott Lawlor
Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer.
Do you like these? Do I need to find a new hobby? Comment below…
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22 Feb 2012, 2:05 pm
Nice hobby Scott. Although a part of me honestly is not sure about the whole reason behind making these, but on the other hand they do look great and have a certain feel to them. Like giving a photograph some life. Still I think we all need to be creative and I’m glad that along with everything else you are enjoying doing this. All the best. They look great. My fav. Are the first ones of We need to talk… And sin city.
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24 Feb 2012, 11:31 am
Thanks Raghav!! there is no point, I just enjoy making them
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22 Feb 2012, 2:16 pm
I love these animated GIF things from movies.
Lots of good ones over here
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24 Feb 2012, 11:32 am
Ooh they are nice thanks matey
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22 Feb 2012, 3:00 pm
Cool!! If these are your beginners work, then you definitely have to post your cinemagraphs when you have more experience…
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24 Feb 2012, 11:33 am
Thanks so much, that is really kind of you to say. You have inspired me to try something harder!!
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22 Feb 2012, 5:23 pm
Nice work! You’re off to a good start.
I think I prefer cinemagraphs to trailers these days. They’re a more interesting and less bombastic way of projecting the tone and style of a film.
Enjoy your new hobby
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24 Feb 2012, 11:33 am
Thanks Ant, they do look good when they are done right… you should see the rubbish that didn’t make the cut!! HAHA
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22 Feb 2012, 5:31 pm
wow. this is fun! Nice work Scott.
I really like the rainfall one from Sin City.
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24 Feb 2012, 11:34 am
Thanks T, you are too kind!
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22 Feb 2012, 5:57 pm
Oh I saw a bunch of these on tumblr, I LOVE ‘em if they’re done properly. I adore that one of Bruce the giant shark, he’s so cuuuuuute
I like the Sin City one too, wow that is beautiful. Nice post, matey!
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24 Feb 2012, 11:35 am
He is cool isn’t he….
Fish are Friends, Not food!!
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22 Feb 2012, 7:40 pm
These are gorgeous! One of the reasons I love tumblr so much are all the lovely gifs out there. I only recently learned how to make gifs and combine frames, but to make something like this, with just one detail moving, now that’s challenging
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24 Feb 2012, 11:36 am
I noticed the ARTIST one on your site Sati, looks really good!!
These are just very time consuming to make is all
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22 Feb 2012, 8:20 pm
Nice job, Scott, really dig the Sin City rain image. Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.
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24 Feb 2012, 11:37 am
Thanks Eric. I wonder if I could do an animated banner for the site? Interesting
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22 Feb 2012, 9:24 pm
Too cool Scott!
I have never heard of a cinemagraph before but I have seen many GIF files so it’s very cool to be a combination of the two. That little bit of extra movement really adds a whole lot of depth and perspective to already interesting cinema scenes.
I have a suggestion for a future cinemagraph, coffee shop scene in ‘Heat’.
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24 Feb 2012, 11:42 am
Thansk Russell!! I am so chuffed you appreciate them. I will look into that scene for sure!
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23 Feb 2012, 10:44 am
I’d never heard of a cinemagraph before, but they look fantastic. I think “We need to talk about kevin” is my favourite” Great work man
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24 Feb 2012, 11:43 am
Thanks matey, enjoy your birthday!
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23 Feb 2012, 1:25 pm
Freaking sweet dude! Love the Woman in Black and first two Sin City ones the best. Look forward to seeing more!
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24 Feb 2012, 11:44 am
Thanks man, I really enjoy making them
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24 Feb 2012, 2:22 am
Wow, it’s pretty cool! How can you do that? The woman in black one is pretty spooky. I like the the 1st and last image from sin city. Very cool, Scott.
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24 Feb 2012, 11:44 am
Thanks Andina, it get’s easier once you get your head around it. But it does take a wee while to do one
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24 Feb 2012, 7:27 am
I always see these things on people’s tumblrs and it’s interesting to find out how they are made, but I don’t think I’ll be joining in anytime soon. Might be a good idea for a future contest…
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24 Feb 2012, 11:45 am
I like your thinking BT!!
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24 Feb 2012, 7:30 am
Wow, you made those? Great job, Scott! The Woman in Black one is my favorite. That scene literally made the girls next to me in the theater react in a way that made me think they were crying.
I first found out about these not very long ago when one of the people I follow on Twitter posted a link here:
http://iwdrm.tumblr.com/
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25 Feb 2012, 2:32 pm
I’d love to learn how to do that, so cool. Especially the Sin City ones impressed me
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28 Feb 2012, 9:48 pm
Sorry I’m late to the party but wow, I love these! The last Sin City one is fantastic.
Great work, Scott
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