In photography, bokeh refers to the blurry or out-of-focus parts of a shot. Bokeh can be good or bad—it all depends on how you use it. There are tons of ways to create a bokeh effect, whether you go the traditional route with lens filters, digital with Photoshop, or even from ...more
The footage you're about to watch may look CG, and while it is indeed animated, the 5,600 frames used to composite this fly by glimpse of Saturn aren't fabricated—they are real hi-res photographs taken by the Cassini orbiter. Outside In—an "IMAX in a basement"—is a DIY not-for ...more
Who doesn't love the world of Game of Thrones? Whether you're a fan of the hit HBO show, or can't wait for George R. R. Martin's next novel installment, it's a story loved by nearly everyone. It's an excellent source of inspiration for Halloween costumes too, ranging from the ...more
One of the coolest aesthetic features of iMessage is its animated message effects. If you're like many users, you might even have discovered them by accident, where wishing your friend a "Happy Birthday!" or congratulating them on a promotion unexpectedly flooded your screen w ...more
As iOS 10 makes its worldwide debut, many users are noticing that the promised iMessage effects feature in Messages is not working properly. Instead of seeing the actual effects, messages will come through like normal, but with text describing the effect they were sent with. O ...more
Apple's Messages app has long had visual effects you could apply manually after long-pressing the send button, and there are even hidden keywords you could use to trigger full-screen effects automatically. FaceTime's latest update also gives you some full-screen effects to pla ...more
Have you ever noticed how your home screen and lock screen wallpaper moves underneath your notification, app icons, really anything on display? It's a cool effect, but to some, might be a bit jarring. On top of that, it also uses up precious battery life. If you're sick of see ...more
One of the most feature-packed camera suites out there resides on the Sony Xperia Z2. Along with the regular camera and video modes, it comes with Motiongraph, AR Effect, and Social Live. Up until now, most of these features were exclusive to the Xperia Z2, but XDA user Vipul ...more
In this little video tutorial, kaje01 demonstrates both the basic edit and advanced techniques for applying the "x-ray" effect using GIMP. Now, what is there to x-ray? Hmm ...more
In this video tutorial, learn how to get auto-tune into Audacity. This video shows you how to receive a ten day free trial. The success rate of this video is questionable, so if you have trouble: Go into edit/preferences/effects, and make sure all three VST settings are checke ...more
Aside from being able to change the wallpaper and add shortcuts, the Galaxy S4's lock screen doesn't offer much in the department of personalization. The lock screen is efficient and practical, but it's also a little bland. To add some functionality and visual effects to the ...more
This video editing software tutorial shows you how to create animated smoke in After Effects. You will learn how to create authentic smoke for any special effects purpose such as fires and action sequences. See how you can use After Effects CS3 filters to create animated smoke ...more
There are a lot of cool new features in iOS 8 that weren't available in previous iOS versions, but it's still lacking overall in terms of customization. I'm not asking for Apple to reinvent the wheel, just to give me preferences on the type of wheel I want. Things like the ab ...more
You can capture some pretty amazing videos using the slo-mo and time-lapse capabilities in the stock Camera app for iPhone 5s, 6, 6 Plus, or iPad Air 2, but there's no way to really combine them unless you shoot different videos and splice them together with a separate video e ...more
This video shows you how to change the color of an object in After Effects.
In this video, Israel Hyman demonstrates the “Ken Burns Effect.” Using this technique, you can use still photos to add interesting effects to your videos. It’s dead simple to do in iMovie, but Final Cut Pro works just as well!
In this video tutorial, learn how to get auto tune, or the t-pain vocal effect, in Audacity using gsnap. To get the GSNAP (GSnap/Grymmjack skin), go here. The GSnap settings you will need: MIN. FREQ: 40 Hz MAX. FREQ: 2000 Hz GATE: -80 dB SPEED: 1 THRESH: 100 cents AMOUNT: 10 ...more
Most hardcore Android fans loathe carrier or manufacturer additions to the Android operating system. Whether it's bloatware or changes to the user interface, many enthusiasts prefer the clean look of stock Android. However, you have to admit that some of these additions are a ...more
This screencast shows you how to add a shake effect to your video in Sony Vegas. It is also known as Quake, Jitter, tremor etc. It can have an interesting impact on your productions.
In this episode of Pixel Perfect, Bert shows us how to create flowing water and a photo-realistic splash effect in Photoshop. Perfect for a water fall or other water features, you'll be able to use these flowing water and splash effects in many Photoshop works of art.
What if I told you that you could read minds? You'd most likely think I was crazy, and you'd be right. But what I really meant is that you could make people think that you could read minds, something that's not the least bit crazy. Performing mind reading — and it is a perfor ...more
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about reversing video. Adam explains how to create a reverse ...more
Just recently, Snapchat decided to implement a feature that it had long been lacking—the ability to play music and record a video at the same time. For those of us that are jailbroken, we've had this feature for some time, but now that everyone has the ability, how should you ...more
You've seen them at Disneyland's Fantasia. And in big budget movies like "Waterworld" and "Lord of the Rings." Spectacular, glowing fire effects that seem to ripple with the wind are a staple of action movies, and though it may seem like you need a super good video editing tea ...more
In this tutorial you will learn how to clone yourself, create split screen effects and picture-in-picture effects with video footage in Windows Movie Maker.
This is a great background for Christmas plays, holiday pageants or any other video you want to add a little twinkle! You can add a twinkling star quite easily in Adobe After Effects, and this tutorial shows you exactly how!
Keir MacDonald shows you a cheap technique for making a practical blood-splattering effect for gunshots and other special fx in your films.
Sometimes, the volume buttons on a MacBook can be pretty annoying. It's too loud, so you turn it down one notch, and now you can't hear your movie at all. It's too low, so you turn it up one notch, and now you can't even hear yourself think. But, there's something a lot of Ma ...more
It doesn't matter what type of weather it is outside when you shoot your film footage. Why not? Because you have After Effects! In this After Effects tutorial you will learn how to add precipitation and raindrop effects to your footage. Make it snow, rain and more with this Af ...more
#FOMO. If it bugs the living hell out of you that you don't know what that means, you're presently FOMO, as in you've got a Fear of Missing Out. In the world of mobile devices and everyday gadgetry, FOMO is ubiquitous, which means that GS3 you have is looking pretty lame when ...more
Message effects in iMessage lets you add a touch of flair to otherwise bland communications. With the feature, you can complement a birthday wish with a stream of balloons, send a congratulatory text along with a shower of confetti, or make the chat bubble slam itself in the t ...more
Want to show two separate scenes at once? Learn how to create a split screen effect in Adobe Premiere Pro. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular non-linear editor or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various feature ...more
This image editing software tutorial shows you how to create a cool watercolor or ink blot effect on photos in Photoshop. This is a simple and cool effect to make your photos look like they have been painted or made out of an ink/watercolour mark. See how to get painterly in P ...more
In this After Effects tutorial, Creative Cow leader, Michael Park, demonstrates how to simulate shimmering glitter particles using fractal noise, colorama effect and Trapcodes Particular plugin. Make shimmering glitter in Particular in After Effects. Click through to watch thi ...more
Goertek's AM3D offers world-class audio processing software that powers millions of high-end devices around the world. Their biggest advancement is likely Virtual Surround Sound, which can make two speakers sound like a full 5.1 setup. You normally can't get these features on ...more
DJ Matt shows you the basics of how to cut men's hair. You start out by making a line on the top of the head. You can then make your first cut, or the straight cut on the back bottom. After that, you then make a "down cut" which creates layers. When you get to the "semi-top of ...more
Living in Southern California means I don't really have a need to check the weather all that often. But every now and then, I'm caught off guard by a particularly chilly or hot day—no one wants to be the only person walking around with a T-shirt and sandals on a rainy, 50-degr ...more
In this video NFX shows you how to get a T-Pain vocal effect using a freeware plug-in called GSnap for Fruity Loops (FL Studio). You do have to listen to NFX (try to) sing as punishment, but if you need that T-Pain effect on a budget, here you go.
Using Photoshop, learn to create a glass effect for any shape you want. Add a glass effect to any shape in Photoshop. Click through to watch this video on vtutorial.com
Making really attractive titles for your films is just one of the way that you can dramatically improve them using After Effects. This video will help you make them by showing you how to create a pulse or pulsating wave effect from whence your titles can emerge. They look grea ...more
Get started using Adobe After Effects with the help of The New Boston! This beginner's tutorial is bound to answer the many questions you have about the popular digital motion graphics and compositing software. The main purpose of After Effects is for film and video post-produ ...more
This excellent tutorial shows you how easy it is to make a crowd out of a few people. Using the Trapcode plug-in particular, Mike Goedecke from the design firm Belief, teaches us how to do it. Turn a small group into a mass of people.
This Adobe After Effects tutorial shows you how to create the Matrix raining code text effect. Learn how to use this motion graphics and 2D effects compositing software and the automation options available to easily create a Matrix raining code effect in After Effects.
Make a fake cut throat with special effect make up. Great for Halloween or making movies!
Ben Slotover and Paul Elliott, aka Blunt Productions, shows how to make your own cheap 3D film. You'll need a straight flash bracket, two camera mounting screws, and of course - two cameras. Then use Adobe After Effects to merge the two videos together so you can get out those ...more
Now that we've had significant time with Samsung's Oreo Beta for the Galaxy S8, many interesting features have come to light. As we continue using the new software, we have uncovered more subtle changes. The home screen already received a few new customization features, it's o ...more
Edit your audio using the invert effect in Audacity. Once you follow this tutorial on applying a minus one to your track, you'll be good to go! You can download Audacity for free by going to this website. Enjoy! Don't Miss: 6 Ways to Remove the Vocal Track from Any Song Video: .
In this tutorial, we learn how to add 3D effects and shading to graffiti letters. To start, you will draw a simple letter with a pencil. Then, take one point under the letter in the middle and draw a darker outline. Next, you will draw an outline around the first outline to ma ...more
This After Effects tutorial will show you how to create a flickering light effect. Hopefully you can take these ideas and apply them a little bit better than our teacher did. Simulate a flickering light using After Effects. Click through to watch this video on ivfilms.net
Being seen clearly is an essential part of any video call you're on, but being heard is equally important. Lousy audio from your side can ruin the experience for others on the call if they can't understand you or hear the sounds they need or want to hear. To improve your audio ...more
Make it look like your camera is shaking and add in a flashing, color-changing light (great for music videos!). You can create this effect (without losing any video quality) using the software program Premiere Pro using this easy technique and by altering some of the color fil ...more
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about teleportation. Adam explains how to create a Dragonball ...more
If you are planning on making a diorama for a school project or anything else, using real like effects can be a big boost. Water effects can have a great looking effect, but using actual water can be messy and won't get the job done. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how t ...more
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create an ice frozen actor makeup special effect. The cold weather in NYC gave Indy Mogul the perfect opportunity to create a 'Frozen Actor' effect to make it look like a person is ice cold or frozen solid. Erik shows you th ...more
Photoshop might be the best software out there for creating effects on text and other still images. This video will show you how to create one really cool effect in Photoshop on a title. The creator calls this a glowing particles dust effect, and that sounds about right. The e ...more
When theming Android, it's the little touches that complete the look, making your device yours. If you're rooted, you probably know by now that there's virtually nothing you can't change the look of on Android. The Xposed Framework allows modules to easily hook into system-le ...more
Fake wounds are one of the most popular makeup elements to include in Halloween costumes, and are also very useful in making films. This video will teach you how to create a realistic open facial wound using makeup. It looks so real, any doctors that you run into will probably ...more
If you've got a MacBook, I'm sure you've spent some time messing around with the Photo Booth app. Who would have thought that adding simple effects like Comic Book or Stretch could make a selfie look so hilarious. Photo Booth is available for all Mac OS X computers running 10. ...more
Learn how to apply a single effect across multiple video clips in Sony Vegas Movie Studio or Sony Vegas Pro. Whether you're completely new to Sony's popular nonlinear editor (NLE) or are a seasoned digital video professional simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, ...more
Does your low-budget film need an explosion, a fireball explosion? This video tutorial shows how to build a simple cremora (fireball) and safely use it. There are many filming techniques, you'll have to figure them out on your own though. This video is for pyrotechnic special ...more