Add camera moves to photos

1 Prepare a photo

Use the Quick Selection tool to select a photo’s foreground, midground and background. Paste them onto separate layers. Check out our Knowledge base for more.

4 Trim layers

Double-click on the timeline’s clip to access its layers. Trim the end of each layer so that they only run for 10 seconds. This will speed up the camera moves that we’ll add.

7 Move midground

Play the clip. The camera tracks forward. Click to select the Mid layer. Apply the Ken Burns effect. Reframe the End window so the move will be more subtle.

2 Import layers

Choose File> new> event. Label the Event ‘3D Photo Effect,’ then File> import> media. Click our Animate_ start.psd file and ‘Import Selected’.

5 Choose Crop

Click and hold on the Transform tool icon and choose the Crop tool. Select ‘Ken Burns’. A Start and End window will appear. By default the camera will pan around.

8 Test the moves

Play the clip. The foreground is closer so it moves faster towards the camera compared to the more distant midground. The background remains static.

3 Add to timeline

Drag the Photoshop file onto the timeline. Most photos are larger than typical video sizes so set the Video drop-down to 1080p HD. Click ‘OK’.

6 Zoom in

Set the Viewer to 50% so you can see the frame edge. Resize the Start window to fill the frame. Resize and reposition the End window so the camera zooms in. Tap ‘Done’.

9 Add foreground blur

Drag the Gaussian effect onto the Foreground. Go to Frame 1. In the Inspector set the Amount to 0. Click ‘Set Keyframe’. Go to the last frame and set Amount to 35.