Shakey Cam Problem at DVinfo.net

Brad Simmons · June 20th, 2003, 01:42 PM

Hey all.
I've just shot some footage with the XL1s in 16:9 mode.
One of the shots I wanted to use was handheld using the manual lens. Needless to say, the image needs to be stabilized.

Have a look here (less than 200k)

http://www.fusionarena.com/forumpost/shaky.mov

Since it was shot in 16:9, I can't pan and scan or whatever because there is nothing to work with outside this frame.

Is there anything I could possibly do in After Effects or Premiere to solve this? Or photoshop? I was thinking I could create a bitmap of everything surrounding him, thus simulating like it was shot 4:3, then try to adjust from there.

Thanks for any advice. (and yes, I've learned my lesson: when in doubt, mount the manual lens on a tripod ;-) )

Bruce A. Christenson · June 20th, 2003, 02:32 PM

If it is a really short clip, you could use a still caputured from the original shot.
---
Because your shot moves around a lot, perhaps you can do manual frame by frame stabilization in photoshop or whatever, and just use copied edge bits from other frames to reconstructively 'fill in' where you panned small sections out of frame.

Rob Easler · June 20th, 2003, 07:11 PM

This clip is of a non moving face so I say it would be easy slow mo the clip which will give the impression it was a more steady shot. It might blur it a bit but give it a try.

Brad Simmons · June 21st, 2003, 12:24 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try both those methods.

Nigel Moore · June 21st, 2003, 02:47 AM

After Effects (PB version) does have an image stabilisation function. But it simply works by moving the anchor point of the frame, so that the edges get cut off and opposite edges are black. OK if you're still within the screen-safe limits and only outputting to TV. You could couple this with a still shot as recommended above, matting so that it fills in any black areas though.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 21st, 2003, 07:30 AM

I recall asking this question some time ago, and the answer I got led me to a piece of software called SteadyHand that specifically operates to remove camera shake from footage. Check it out!

Bill Ravens · June 21st, 2003, 09:56 AM

either STEADYHAND or the motion stabilizer within Boris Red will suit your problem. My preference in these apps is to stabilize without cropping or zooming. as you remarked, since there is no video info outside of the image frame, this will result in changing black borders around the stabilized video. After importing this into your favorite NLE/compositor, you can then crop the images to eliminate the annoying black borders.

Brad Simmons · June 21st, 2003, 10:39 AM

thanks guys!

That software looks cool, I'm downloading it now.

Brad Simmons · June 21st, 2003, 12:09 PM

wow! That software works wonders. It really does clean up the shakiness, at the expense of a slight zoom in, but I can't really see the decrease in quality. Works for me!

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 23rd, 2003, 09:43 AM

Our pleasure, Brad.

June 20th, 2003, 01:42 PM	#1
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	Shakey Cam Problem Hey all. I've just shot some footage with the XL1s in 16:9 mode. One of the shots I wanted to use was handheld using the manual lens. Needless to say, the image needs to be stabilized. Have a look here (less than 200k) http://www.fusionarena.com/forumpost/shaky.mov Since it was shot in 16:9, I can't pan and scan or whatever because there is nothing to work with outside this frame. Is there anything I could possibly do in After Effects or Premiere to solve this? Or photoshop? I was thinking I could create a bitmap of everything surrounding him, thus simulating like it was shot 4:3, then try to adjust from there. Thanks for any advice. (and yes, I've learned my lesson: when in doubt, mount the manual lens on a tripod ;-) )

June 21st, 2003, 07:30 AM	#6
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	I recall asking this question some time ago, and the answer I got led me to a piece of software called SteadyHand that specifically operates to remove camera shake from footage. Check it out! __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 23rd, 2003, 09:43 AM	#10
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Our pleasure, Brad. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 20th, 2003, 02:32 PM	#2
Bruce A. Christenson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Forest Grove, OR Posts: 122	If it is a really short clip, you could use a still caputured from the original shot. --- Because your shot moves around a lot, perhaps you can do manual frame by frame stabilization in photoshop or whatever, and just use copied edge bits from other frames to reconstructively 'fill in' where you panned small sections out of frame.

June 20th, 2003, 07:11 PM	#3
Rob Easler Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 219	This clip is of a non moving face so I say it would be easy slow mo the clip which will give the impression it was a more steady shot. It might blur it a bit but give it a try.

June 21st, 2003, 12:24 AM	#4
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try both those methods.

June 21st, 2003, 02:47 AM	#5
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	After Effects (PB version) does have an image stabilisation function. But it simply works by moving the anchor point of the frame, so that the edges get cut off and opposite edges are black. OK if you're still within the screen-safe limits and only outputting to TV. You could couple this with a still shot as recommended above, matting so that it fills in any black areas though.

June 21st, 2003, 09:56 AM	#7
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	either STEADYHAND or the motion stabilizer within Boris Red will suit your problem. My preference in these apps is to stabilize without cropping or zooming. as you remarked, since there is no video info outside of the image frame, this will result in changing black borders around the stabilized video. After importing this into your favorite NLE/compositor, you can then crop the images to eliminate the annoying black borders.

June 21st, 2003, 10:39 AM	#8
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	thanks guys! That software looks cool, I'm downloading it now.

June 21st, 2003, 12:09 PM	#9
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	wow! That software works wonders. It really does clean up the shakiness, at the expense of a slight zoom in, but I can't really see the decrease in quality. Works for me!