Magnetic Mask and the moving camera . . . impossible?

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Level 7

22,293 points

Magnetic Mask and the moving camera . . . impossible?

Almost everything is possible given time, skill and patience but is there a quick solution to this?

I have shot (handheld) some talent approaching the camera. As well as normal handheld shake there is a panning movement.

The Magnetic Mask does an excellent job of isolating the talent but because of the slight camera movement it looks unnatural when placed over a background.

Is there any way to overcome this problem without resorting to hours of tedious keyframing etc.?

This is just a test project to show proof of concept.

Obviously if I set out with the idea of using the mask I would shoot on a locked tripod.

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 17, 2024 5:28 AM

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Answer 1

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

22,293 points

Nov 17, 2024 5:37 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Incidentally I have noticed that when the talent fills most of the frame and is moving, the effect looks quite natural so long as you don't pan.

It's only when the subject is standing still or doesn't occupy all the frame that you notice them waving around slightly.

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Answer 2

Nov 17, 2024 7:13 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Again, not sure if it will make any difference, but I was thinking of applying stabilisation first, then trying the magnetic mask. Or maybe, if the order in which things are applied does not allow for that: apply stabilisation, make the clip into a compound clip, and applying the mask to the compound clip.

I understand if that is not possible, but if you could share a short clip maybe we can come up with a better idea.

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Answer 3

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

22,293 points

Nov 17, 2024 8:40 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Tried those ideas before I wrote the last reply.

The problem with handheld footage is that it tends to sway slightly plus there may be pans.

Stabilisation has no effect on swaying apart from making it possibly a bit smoother but you still get that unnatural out of this world floating motion against the background.

I'm pretty sure there is no simple answer other than to shoot the footage correctly with a tripod.

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Answer 4

Nov 17, 2024 6:30 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Not sure how it would work, or if it would help at all, but maybe it's worth trying stabilisation on the clip.

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Answer 5

Ian R. Brown Author

Level 7

22,293 points

Nov 17, 2024 6:57 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Interesting idea but it didn't work.

Apart from anything else it created "shadows" around the Magnetic Mask as it grabbed extra pixels.

I'm pretty sure it's impossible but you never can tell with AI.

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