Getting that "Smeared Look" at DVinfo.net

Mark Dalzell · October 21st, 2009, 09:55 AM

I live in Las Vegas, NV. I'm going to be shooting some Neon soon and along with
the pristine footage, I'd like to try my hand at getting that "smeared look" I've
seen.

Without having to venture forth with the hack frame rate that I've read about,
is there any way to do this just with my camera? Specific settings, frame rates,
shutter speeds etc. I have a Panasonic HPX-170.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Best.

Mark

Perrone Ford · October 21st, 2009, 10:08 AM

What the heck is a "smeared" look? Vaseline on the lens? Give us a screenshot or a better description to go on.

Mark Dalzell · October 21st, 2009, 10:15 AM

Example:
When you have a trial of headlights on a freeway that are blurred or smeared together
and look like one image...

Does that help?

Perrone Ford · October 21st, 2009, 11:31 AM

Ahhh ok.

Slow shutter speed is how that look is achieved.

Andrew Smith · October 22nd, 2009, 11:31 AM

Maybe what he really wants is one of those old tube cameras?

Andrew

Bob Hart · October 24th, 2009, 08:02 PM

If it is just a one-off effects shot, you could try shooting the subject, reflected in a normal household mirror with the mirror canted at an acute angle relative to the camera.

With the mirror canted vertically, the effect might hint at vertical smear in a motion picture camera when the shutter and pulldown have slipped slightly out of sync.

You will have to flip the image in post to match the normal footage.

Charles Papert · October 24th, 2009, 11:24 PM

The effect where headlights appear to be a single stripe is generally achieved with time-lapse. While a long exposure (shutter) may simulate this also, it will create a strobed or stepped look at the same time.

October 21st, 2009, 09:55 AM	#1
Mark Dalzell New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 17	Getting that "Smeared Look" I live in Las Vegas, NV. I'm going to be shooting some Neon soon and along with the pristine footage, I'd like to try my hand at getting that "smeared look" I've seen. Without having to venture forth with the hack frame rate that I've read about, is there any way to do this just with my camera? Specific settings, frame rates, shutter speeds etc. I have a Panasonic HPX-170. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Best. Mark

October 21st, 2009, 10:08 AM	#2
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,171	What the heck is a "smeared" look? Vaseline on the lens? Give us a screenshot or a better description to go on. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Vegas Pro 9/8.1/8, RedCine, Firestore FS-4ProHD, BL-D Burner, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Moles and Lowels.

October 21st, 2009, 11:31 AM	#4
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 2,171	Ahhh ok. Slow shutter speed is how that look is achieved. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Vegas Pro 9/8.1/8, RedCine, Firestore FS-4ProHD, BL-D Burner, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Moles and Lowels.

October 24th, 2009, 11:24 PM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 5,396	The effect where headlights appear to be a single stripe is generally achieved with time-lapse. While a long exposure (shutter) may simulate this also, it will create a strobed or stepped look at the same time. __________________ Charles Papert, SOC www.charlespapert.com

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October 21st, 2009, 10:15 AM	#3
Mark Dalzell New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 17	Example: When you have a trial of headlights on a freeway that are blurred or smeared together and look like one image... Does that help?

October 22nd, 2009, 11:31 AM	#5
Andrew Smith Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 292	Maybe what he really wants is one of those old tube cameras? Andrew

October 24th, 2009, 08:02 PM	#6
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 2,898	If it is just a one-off effects shot, you could try shooting the subject, reflected in a normal household mirror with the mirror canted at an acute angle relative to the camera. With the mirror canted vertically, the effect might hint at vertical smear in a motion picture camera when the shutter and pulldown have slipped slightly out of sync. You will have to flip the image in post to match the normal footage.