Cinemagraphs

Cinemagraphs are still photographs in which a minor and repeated movement occurs. They are published in either animated GIF format or as video, and can give the illusion that the viewer is watching a video.

GIFs stand for Graphics Interchange Format, and it’s a bitmap image format that supports animation. This supported animation is what makes any movement possible. Cinemagraphs require some kind of motion, so while the final image looks much more similar to a photograph than a video, you need to begin with actual video footage. A cinemagraph is made from a loop using specific portion of the image, so the scene must feature both stationary and animated objects. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind when filming your own cinemagraph footage.

Use a tripod. The background of your scene must remain perfectly still in order for a specific subject to be animated. Shoot a scene that includes some kind of continuous or looping motion. Cinemagraphs of subway trains, escalators and water work really well because they move consistently and predictably.

Sometimes subtle effects result in the best cinemagraphs. A visually intense scene might just work better as a video, whereas the subtle animation of grass blowing in the wind or an intermittent blink of an eye can create a really impactful image

Here is one of my first Cinemagraphs I tried for my Advanced Photoshop class...The other you can find on my Contact page

Flixel is a great software for cinemagraphs especially when you are just starting out, or you can go to phlearn on Youtube and he has a great tutorial.