Zoom into image while keeping the same pillarbox ratio

[Jamie Carsten]

Thanks for the fantastically helpful post Greg.

[Jamie Carsten]

I have created 3 layers below. I get lost when it comes to applying a mask to the black layer though in the same dimensions as the image below. ☹

https://youtu.be/eyqT1Ti5O-4

[Greg Janza]

reverse your thinking.

create a black video layer and put it on layer 2
add your stills to layer 1
add a mask to the black video layer and instead of dragging it out to increase the size use the pen tool and create a box with four points which match the size you’d like your stills to fill the frame, reduce that mask feather to zero and select invert on the mask.
now customize each stills size so that each still fills the pillarboxed frame and move the anchor point of each slide to the center of the frame.
nest all of your stills
set scale keyframe at beginning and end of your nest depending on how much you want the stills to move.

Windows 10 Pro | i7-5820k CPU | 64 gigs RAM | NvidiaGeForceGTX970 | Blackmagic Decklink 4k Mini Monitor |
Adobe CC 2018 |Renders/cache: Samsung SSD 950 Pro x2 in Raid 0 | Media: Samsung SSD 960 PRO PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 | Media: OWC Thunderbay 4 x 2 Raid 0 mirrored with FreeFileSync

[Jamie Carsten]

Thanks a lot Greg.

It’s time to have a laugh at my expense. See my attempt here. Where are all the places I went wrong? ????

I assume when you said black on layer 2 that means behind the still? So black on track 1 and still on track 2?

https://youtu.be/LnaUyYvP9Zo

[Greg Janza]

reverse it.
Layer 2 = video 2
Layer 1= video 1

put your black layer on video 2
apply the mask to the black layer and not your stills.
nest your stills (video1)

Windows 10 Pro | i7-5820k CPU | 64 gigs RAM | NvidiaGeForceGTX970 | Blackmagic Decklink 4k Mini Monitor |
Adobe CC 2018 |Renders/cache: Samsung SSD 950 Pro x2 in Raid 0 | Media: Samsung SSD 960 PRO PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 | Media: OWC Thunderbay 4 x 2 Raid 0 mirrored with FreeFileSync

[Jamie Carsten]

OK great. One problem is when the black layer is on video track 2, it sits above the image. Thus, I’m not sure the exact area to mask because I can’t see where the image borders are. Am I being dumb?

[Greg Janza]

The problem is that you’re thinking about the black layer as a mask for each image when in fact it’s just acting as a pillarbox on top. The black bars won’t move or adjust at all. Only your stills will move. In essence, you’re cutting a square hole with the mask and your stills will be inside that hole.

Windows 10 Pro | i7-5820k CPU | 64 gigs RAM | NvidiaGeForceGTX970 | Blackmagic Decklink 4k Mini Monitor |
Adobe CC 2018 |Renders/cache: Samsung SSD 950 Pro x2 in Raid 0 | Media: Samsung SSD 960 PRO PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 | Media: OWC Thunderbay 4 x 2 Raid 0 mirrored with FreeFileSync

[Jamie Carsten]

Ah yes that does make sense. So with the pen tool I draw the mask (any tips on drawing straight with the pen tool? ????). Then stretch the corners to the edge of the image like the below video? This does for the first time allow me to scale the main image without it growing or shrinking within the overall frame size. A positive step! The only thing is the pen tool isn’t totally precise and doing this with 100+ images might lead to slight differences in the amount of pillarboxing. I guess a neccessary evil if there’s no other way. If I want the blurry background effect do I just replace the black with a blurred copy of the image?

https://youtu.be/UKC6_4EGdoc

now customize each stills size so that each still fills the pillarboxed frame and move the anchor point of each slide to the center of the frame.

nest all of your stills

I got a little confused with these two points. Is the first point about taking that original black masked clip and putting it over all the images with the same aspect ratio? I assume this wouldn’t work though if I wanted each background to be a blurred copy of the main image, similar to the love heart clip in my earlier post?

For the second point, I understand what nesting is from some YouTube vids I just watched. Is the idea of doing this just to create a cleaner workspace? Am I nesting the stills with the black masked clips?

[Greg Janza]

In order to save you a lot of time, I’d recommend that you purchase a template and populate it with your stills. There’s a variety of websites that offer up Premiere templates. You’re looking for a stills slideshow template.

Windows 10 Pro | i7-5820k CPU | 64 gigs RAM | NvidiaGeForceGTX970 | Blackmagic Decklink 4k Mini Monitor |
Adobe CC 2018 |Renders/cache: Samsung SSD 950 Pro x2 in Raid 0 | Media: Samsung SSD 960 PRO PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 | Media: OWC Thunderbay 4 x 2 Raid 0 mirrored with FreeFileSync

[Jamie Carsten]

Great I’ll take a look! Is there a reputable site you recommend?

Thanks for your help everyone. Much appreciated and I’ve learned lots. 🙂