Increased size and Blurry background . Why!

[limakid2015]

When we use images that not comply with the conventional proportions of 4:3 or 16:9, as per the featured images can have black borders above or on the sides, there is a common extended trend to use the same image as a backgreound but blurry. We saw it a lot on vertical videos shooted with smartphones for example. Just to cover the black spaces?

So, Why this trend is very common? Why not to use different backgrounds or just leave the black borders or use other colors for the borders? The attacehd image illustrates my curiousity. Is it just because empty black spaces look bad? Ok, maybe... but Why to use always the same image as background but with increased size and blurry? Thaks for your patience.

[Carlos Ziade · Accepted solution]

you can use whatever as a backdrop, but i think this trend least distracts the viewer and 

keeps the focus on the main image. black around might distract since it is empty space.

blurriness also adds to the focus on the center image and blurring the same image other

than using other assets that create contrast might be less distracting. and this has been

used by mainstream leading media that was followed by others... there are so many youtube

channels that have that as a rule for video editors working for them

[salvo34]

good question.

I think they do it ( broadcasters, like news programs that show this type stuff ) cause they are basically confused. They could easily put their logos on the side panels and take advantage of the ad space. They have the right to use the video so the easiest thing is to do what they do now ( blurry stuff ). If they use some other background they might have to pay for that (copyrights ).

If they just put their logos up ( like ABC News, etc. ) it would at least utilize the space better in terms of self promotion.

I think it's dumb ( blurry stuff ) ... but that's the way it is now.

🙂

[limakid2015]

"If they use some other background they might have to pay for that (copyrights )."
If they use a red color as a background or some motion graphic of After effects, whay to pay copytights? The owner of the photo will consider like "unathorized editing" of the photo? Thank U.

[salvo34]

when I think about it, there's no reason for the vertical image to be centered. Americans read left to right, top down, so I'd shove the vertical image to the left side of frame and use the right side to promote my broadcast station or I could even maybe use that space for commercial advertisers ( sponsored by blah blah blah, etc. )

[salvo34]

sponsored by: ( samples )

instagram

youtube

gallaxy

samsung

iphone

big list of potential income for broadcaster

🙂

[salvo34]

Well, you asked an interesting question.

By different background I meant a graphic or photo ( blurry or not ) which was made by an artist / photographer, which they would have copyrighted probably. Maybe not. At any rate that's not the main issue of why it's being done the way it is now.....   the way it is now is just easy fast and cheap. And nobody cares in the audience, and nobody on broadcast end has given it any real thought ( as to using space for promo stuff ( ads )).

The original image is NOT controlled by the person who shot the video that was probably put on youtube.

Anyone who gets the rights to anything can do what they want (cropping, full bleed with text overlay, etc.)

Also, just for fun, you might consider the fact that when you upload anything to Youtube Youtube OWNS IT.  Read the fine print.....   you load it up there they own it.  More than likely any licensing done for a broadcaster to use something from youtube is a deal between youtube and the broadcaster, and has NOTHING to do with the person who posted it.  If, however, you shoot a video ( say of some killing or some dope falling off a rooftop ) and go to the broadcaster directly, then you can make your own deal. Like, if it's already on youtube, take it off ( delete it ) and then do your deal with the broadcaster.

None of this matters really... it was just an interesting question of aesthetics ( blurry background ). Thanks for asking it.

🙂

[salvo34]

hmmm... this is interesting... so I stand corrected......  you own it (copyright) but youtube and youtube users can use it any way they want ( so maybe a broadcaster can just pull the video from youtube and use it without paying youtube anything at all cause they are a user of youtube ).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdcK6r7yk9Q

[limakid2015]

Thanlks to all your replies. I chose the one which is more accurate for my inquieres, but the others are also relevant related to the aesthetic opinions.