[FCP X 10.0.8] Best plugin (or techs) to fix Out of focus video

[Walter Soyka]

I see that you’ve already got a solution in place — glad to hear it. I’ll add a technique that’s useful with any sharpening tool.

The most important thing to sharpen is the subject’s eyes, because that is where most viewers will focus their attention.

If overall sharpening is adding too many artifacts, you can back that off a bit. In other words, sharpen clothing very little, sharpen the face just a little bit more, sharpen the eyes the most. This may require masking and tracking for moving subjects, but if done well, it can help salvage the shot.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
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[Frank Stäudtner]

Another Idea:
You could also experiment with the astonishing capabilties of the “smart sharpen” filter in Photoshop. It has special mode for removing lens blur.
best wishes, frank

[Duca Simone luchini]

Right Walter, great idea!
My case was not so complicated but in case of critic out of focus… I think your idea could be great.

Thx!

[Duca Simone luchini]

Hi Frank,
uhm.. but I can’t image to use that great) filter in a video…

[Matt Pence]

You can definitely process video files with Photoshop.

import your video
convert it to a smart object (Layer/Smart Objects/Convert to Smart Object)
apply your filters
export it (Export/Render to Video)

If you need to export as prores422, you will need to install the adobe prores presets,
https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=5411&fileID=5030

here is a discussion on installing the prores presets.
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/3/926026#938344

thanks for the tip on the smart sharpen in photoshop, Frank. I’m excited to experiment with it.

[Duca Simone luchini]

Wow, i didn-t know that… many thanks!

[Drew Lahat]

For posterity, and to second Walter Soyka: indeed, focus on sharpening the eyes (pun intended). This is relatively easy in e.g. Resolve, where you’d draw a mask around the eyes, track it, and sharpen. You get a minimal amount of noise because you’re avoiding all the uniform areas like cheeks and backgrounds. I’ve found it to be the best trade-off between improved sharpness, artifacts, and ease of use.
NewblueFX Sharpen + Neat DeNoiser, as well as Photoshop’s Smart Sharpen, are also great to try if you have the time.

I’ve had several years of distinct experience in each of those 3 roles (editor, DP, and focus puller), so I’m very well aware of the implications of focus pulling. There’s a reason why in cinematography focus-pulling is its own position, and why the 1st AC is the first person who gets fired on set when such things go wrong 🙂