-
Great Lightning Footage, but Light Causing a Problem
Hi all.
I recorded about an hours worth of lightning the other night and after bringing it into Vegas Pro 10 I edited out all the “blank” areas, so that I have about 10 solid minutes of lightning. I think it will make a pretty nice video, but I have one problem which I hope someone may be able to help me with. In the distance, between my camera and the lightning, there’s a small “pinhole” of light, which I assume is perhaps someones barn light or such (I live in the country so most of the homesteads are spread out pretty good).The problem, is that, against the dark background, this “pinhole” of light is seen moving around alot as I would move the camera back and forth. If the light wasn’t there, you wouldn’t be able to tell I was moving the camera around (in search of the next bolt). Does anyone know of a way I could get rid of this pesky small light in the distance? I have no idea of how or if it could be done, and I hope I don’t have to go frame by frame, but it’s only about 10 minutes long anyway, so I would be willing to do that if necessary. Honestly, I just don’t have any experience in removing a blip on the footage. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Marc.
-
5 Replies
-
[Marc McDaniel] “Does anyone know of a way I could get rid of this pesky small light in the distance?”
Duplicate the events on a higher track. Then use the Mask tool in Pan/Crop to create a Positive mask that is next to the small light and large enough to cover it. Finally, use the Position in Pan/Crop to move the video to the left or right so that video without the light is playing through the mask. This effectively replaces the light with dark video from nearby.
Just to recap, you are masking a piece of the video that does not have the light, and moving it over the video with the light to cover it. It may take some keyframing to keep it covered.
~jr
http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com -
John, thanks so much go getting back to me. However, as I’m a total noob at masking, are you saying that I should make a selection “next to” the light, but big enough to surround it? I can do that, but how would I go about using that selection of black to block out the light in the underlying track? Please forgive me for being so ignorant of how masking works but I am really at a total loss on exactly how this is done. Am I to somehow move this selection of black over on top of the light (on the copied track above the original) in order to cover the light on the original track below? If so, I’m not sure of which keystroke I use to select all anchors and move the selection around at one time (all together). Also, I’m not sure what you mean by “Positive” mask (as opposed to a “negative” mask?). Also, you mention “Position in Pan/Crop to move the video to the left or right so that video without the light is playing through the mask.” Are you saying that I am to change the X and Y coordinates to line up the selection over the light? So sorry for my ineptitude at this obviously simple manipulation.
Thanks, Marc.
-
[Marc McDaniel] “how would I go about using that selection of black to block out the light in the underlying track?”
You can use the Position in Pan/Crop to move the entire frame. What you want to do is move everything over so that the good background overlays the light.
[Marc McDaniel] “Am I to somehow move this selection of black over on top of the light (on the copied track above the original) in order to cover the light on the original track below?”
Yes.
[Marc McDaniel] “If so, I’m not sure of which keystroke I use to select all anchors and move the selection around at one time (all together).”
No don’t move the mask. Click the Position keyframe track (instead of the Mask keyframe track) and move the position of the entire frame. Like this:
[Marc McDaniel] “Also, I’m not sure what you mean by “Positive” mask (as opposed to a “negative” mask?).”
A Positive mask removes everything outside the mask leaving just what’s inside the mask area. A Negative mask cuts away only what is inside the mask leaving a whole. This is controlled in the Mask Properties on the left.
[Marc McDaniel] “Also, you mention “Position in Pan/Crop to move the video to the left or right so that video without the light is playing through the mask.” Are you saying that I am to change the X and Y coordinates to line up the selection over the light? So sorry for my ineptitude at this obviously simple manipulation. “
It’s not that simple to explain in words, but yes, use position in Pan/Crop to move the frame once you’ve created the mask.
~jr
http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com -
John, thanks so much for the detailed instructions. You know, it was like I had a mental block regarding just how masking worked. But after your detailed explanations, what a difference. It’s like the light finally came on with how the mask function actually worked. Wasn’t able to get back to the project until a couple of days ago, but started flying through it and masking that irritating little floating around light (it’s a little time consuming because I have about 20 minutes of frame by frame masking to do, but what a difference it’s made so far in how it looks in the preview.
Thanks again and God bless.Marc.
-
You’re welcome. It’s hard to explain and would have been easier to show you. I’m glad that post was enough to get you in the right direction.
~jr
http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up