Parallax Fastest Most Efficient Options

[Guest]

Hi guys/gals im brand new and this is my first post. So first hello all and im excited to be here and learn from the best!

Having said that my mom gave me over 100 old photos and some high quality new photos that I want to convert to the Parallax Effect and create that really deep depth to make a fun family digital album. So because I have so many what is the fastest/easiest way to do it because having over 100 will take a long time. Im up for anything that will be the fastest like a plugin (if there is one) or using after effects or photo shop or whatever. For me im just trying to be as efficient as possible.

Any advice/tips/tricks to save time im all ears and keep in mind I have not purchased any software yet so ideally a really short step by step video or easy plugin would be great I could just copy the technique and then after im done I can take the time to play with it.

Second question do you get a better effect (that real deep depth look) in photoshop or after effects which one is better?

Thanks, Kal

[davescm]

Hi

If the effect below is what you wanted then the steps are simple but the execution takes some time. You will need to become familiar with selection, masking, cloning and keyframing.

1. Select an image containing elements that give depth.

2. Use the selection tools, such as select and mask, to split those elements onto separate layers. I used four layers in the example below.

3. Make a video timeline from the layers.

4. Keyframe those layers using "position" keyframes in the video timeline. The movement needs to be a different amount for each layer but in the same direction. Move the "front" layer the most and the rear layer the least (if at all).

5.  Use the clone tools to fill in the gaps left once any part of the image is moved in relation to another. What was behind that object does not exist anywhere in the image so has to be built. This is what takes the time.

6.. Render the video

Dave

[Nancy OShea]

As a web developer, Parallax refers to a recent web site trend.  Aka Parallax scrolling.  Live example.

Bootstrap Parallax Template

I'm wondering if what you really want is The Ken Burn's effect.  Believe it or not, this slideshow is all done with JavaScript.  It's not video.  So it won't break the bank with excessive bandwidth.

Ken Burns Slideshow

Before we can suggest software, etc... we need to know how you plan to output & distribute your completed  "photo album".  Will it be delivered on CD, DVD, BlueRay, an online web site?

Nancy

[davescm]

Thanks for that alternative perspective Nancy, I tend to think in photo and video terms.

It would be good to see what the OP actually wants.

Dave