Window Reflection

[mr_mm]

Hey guys.

Firstly allow Me to explain that I am totally new to editing (as We currently speak I have no current editing software). The question I would like to ask should be pretty basic I guess, but will probably require some special software to do it.

Okay here it is. I recently recorded a Milkfloat outside using a camcorder from the window early in the morning, so naturally it was very dark outside. Before You say odd filming (I guess odder things have been filmed before)

Anway, considering it was dark, the filming came out great, and great audio quality. The only problem is, I had the camcorder hooked up to the pc to create the avi file, and whilst filming, I was monitoring the screen. Unfortunetly, the window reflected me, and it captured my reflection.

Is there anyway, or any software to erase the reflection in the video?, I know photoshop can use techniques for doing this to photos.

Cheers!

[bsuttie]

If the camera was on a tripod i.e. locked off shot, and if no movement e.g. milkfloat moving crosses the reflections then it should be easy enough.

You can probably use photoshop to create a mask to superimpose over your shot. Export a frame from your editing programme, retouch in photoshop and create an alpha channel to designate the mased area, re-import this to your editing programme and superimpose it on the shot.

However if there is movement involved then you are going to have to do this frame by frame (or field by field even) and this will take you a lllloooonnnngggg time.

I you're familiar with After Effects you could use that to track a mask.

regards

Brian

[mr_mm]

Hi Brian, indeed there was no movement :-)

One other thing, I know nothing about the regulations of filming and privacy. Would I have to ask for permission, if I wanted to distribute My video?, You can't actually see anyone in the video because I made sure that I edited that bit out. All You can see is the float starting up, remember this was late at night aswell.

Cheers!

[toadoftoadhall]

I would never have thought about doing a mask in PS and importing it, even tho I have used PS for years, I would have never thought about importint the technique to a video editing prog.

"Would I have to ask for permission, if I wanted to distribute My video?"

I can only think this would be one for the out-takes program, or similar, and as it was filmed on public highway, no, I dont think there is a problem in showing it to the public.

toad

[mr_mm]

Yeah

This is not going on tv or anything haha, but may be put on a website

Basically I filmed it from My bedroom window very early in the morning whilst everyone was asleep, as I needed to film when it was dark outside and would obviously have to ask permission to go outside right next to the float and film.

So in the short movie, I used some effects which deter the view of the roadside and houses, so You cant see them that well anyway. I also edited out the people driving the float, so You lituerly only see the float.

As you said, it is a public road, and plus there are now satellite views online of various streets which probably pose more of a threat to security etc etc

With that said, when and if I get good at this, I will buy some proper software for movie editing / creation

Cheers for now!