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Creating Moving Media From Still Files

This module offers a step-by-step guide detailing the process of converting still images to a moving media file. The process will be completed through the use of Adobe Photoshop. Three file types will be produced: a .GIF file, an .MP4 file, and a .MOV file. 

Learning Outcomes

After reading this module, the user will be able to take multiple photos of the same scene using a smartphone or DSLR camera and stitch them together to create a moving media file. The user will also learn how to frame a scene using the same point of view for each exposure to ensure the best end results.

Materials Used

  • Smartphone or DSLR camera

  • Necessary equipment to stabilize camera

  • Area to be photographed

  • Computer

Software Used

  • Adobe Photoshop

Setup Notes

  • Smartphone or DSLR camera should be stabilized while capturing images

  • Images of the same area should be captured daily over the course of six weeks

  • Natural light or artificial light can be used

Steps

Production

  1. Choose an appropriate indoor or outdoor scene to photograph daily.​

  2. Set up a smartphone or DSLR camera in front of the scene, stabilized with an appropriate device such as a tripod or table.

  3. Take a photograph of the scene.

  4. Repeat this daily for six weeks, adding the images to an appropriately named folder for security.

Post Production

  1. Open Photoshop on a computer.

  2. Upload the folder of images into Photoshop by navigating to File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack...

  3. Select 'Browse...' and choose the correct folder of images. Then click 'Ok'.

  4. Open up the timeline window by clicking Window > Timeline. 

  5. In the timeline at the bottom of the screen, click 'Create Frame Animation' from the dropdown.

  6. Select all the layers by navigating to Select > All Layers.

  7. Click on the menu icon at the upper right corner of the timeline screen.

  8. From the dropdown, select 'Create New Layer For Each New Frame'.

  9. Click again on the menu icon at the upper right corner of the timeline screen.

  10. From the dropdown, select 'Make Frames From Layers'.

  11. Select all frames in the timeline by clicking on the first frame, holding the shift key, and clicking the last frame.

  12. Click on the dropdown menu of any of the frames and adjust the time each frame will appear.

  13. At the bottom of the toolbar, select 'Forever' to have the video continuously loop.

  14. To save as a .GIF file, select File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy)...

  15. Choose the appropriate settings from the popup menu and press 'Save'.

  16. To save as a .MOV or .MP4 file, select File > Export > Render Video.

  17. Name the video file appropriately. 

  18. Click the 'Select Folder' button to choose a proper location for the file to export to.

  19. Choose either Adobe Media Encoder or Photoshop Image Sequence from the menu below the 'Location' section.

  20. Choose the appropriate file format. Choosing H.264 will create a .MP4 file, while choosing QuickTime will create a .MOV file.

  21. Click 'Render'.​

Final Outcome

Moving media created from still images

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