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FREE AI Tool - How To Lighten And Brighten Dark Video Footage EASILY - RunwayML

Education

Introduction

If you've ever filmed a scene at night or in low light conditions, you may have ended up with dark footage that is hard to see. Whether you're a film student or a budding content creator, you can often find yourself in a situation where you wish to brighten your video clips. In this guide, we'll explore how to use the free online tool RunwayML to lighten dark video footage step by step.

Step 1: Getting Started with RunwayML

  1. Create An Account: Begin by navigating to runwayml.com. You have the option to log in if you already possess an account or create a new account for free.

  2. Create a New Project: Once logged in, click on "Create Project" followed by "Create Video Composition," which will allow you to begin working on your video.

  3. Upload Your Footage: Open your Finder (or file explorer) and locate the video footage you want to lighten. Drag and drop the clip into the project window of RunwayML.

  4. Playback Your Footage: Hit the spacebar to play your video. You'll notice that the footage may be quite dark and unclear.

Step 2: Brightening the Video

While RunwayML has various effects and filters, some do not yield satisfactory results for improving brightness and contrast. Here's a more effective approach:

  1. Create a White Solid: On the left side of the panel, click on "Solid" to create a white solid. You can adjust the color by clicking on it and setting the value to FFFFFF for pure white.

  2. Adjust Opacity: Select the solid layer and set the opacity to 40%. This softens the effect while maintaining some detail in the footage.

  3. Change Blend Mode: This is a crucial step. Change the blend mode of the solid layer to "Soft Light." This combination begins to reveal the colors and details of your original footage.

  4. Preview Your Changes: With everything set, select the solid to dial in the 40% opacity. If you'd prefer a subtler effect, you can adjust it to 20%, or if you want to brighten things up more, try 50%. Be cautious, as higher percentages may create a blocky or artifacted image.

  5. Export Your Project: Keep in mind you’re working with a 1920 resolution preview, but when you export, the files retain their original 4K quality, potentially providing better clarity.

Conclusion

This method is convenient and effective for brightening dark video footage. The steps are straightforward and do not require a paid software subscription, making it ideal for students or beginners in video editing. If you have further questions or need help, feel free to reach out!

Keyword

  • RunwayML
  • brighten video
  • dark footage
  • create project
  • solid layer
  • soft light
  • blend mode
  • export

FAQ

Q: Can I use RunwayML without an account?
A: No, you must create a free account to access their video editing features.

Q: Is RunwayML suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, RunwayML is user-friendly and designed to accommodate users of all experience levels.

Q: What if my footage is still dark after applying the changes?
A: You may need to experiment with different opacity settings or try additional editing techniques to enhance brightness.

Q: How does the export quality compare to the preview?
A: The preview is at a lower resolution (1920), but when exported, the video maintains its original 4K quality.

Q: What if I want a specific color instead of white for the solid layer?
A: You can adjust the color of the solid layer by clicking on the color option and selecting your desired color before applying it to the footage.