Stabilizing on a Subject

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‌Stabilizing on a Subject

Often a shot focuses on a single subject, which we want to stabilize in the frame, despite the shaky motion of the camera. Example shots of this type include:

 The camera person walking towards a mark on the ground, to be turned into a cliff edge for a reveal.

 A job site to receive a new building, shot from a helicopter orbiting overhead

 A camera car driving by a house, focusing on the house.

To stabilize these shots, you will identify or create several trackers in the vicinity of the subject, and with them selected, select the Peg mode on the Translation list on the Stabilize tab.

This will cause the point of interest to remain stationary in the image for the duration of the shot.

You may also stabilize and peg the image rotation. Almost always, you will want to stabilize rotation. It may or may not be pegged.

You may find it helpful to animate the stabilized position of the point of interest, in order to minimize the zoom required, see below, and also to enliven a shot somewhat.

Some car commercials are shot from a rig that shows both the car and the surrounding countryside as the car drives: they look a bit surreal because the car is completely stationary—having been pegged exactly in place. No real camera rig is that perfect!

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