Video Authoring - Google Photos
In this article we will take a look at how to turn a bunch of photos into a video, using Google Photos.
1 Google Photos
Google Photos - Announced at Google I / O 2015, offers :
- Free unlimited space (.it seems that a monthly limit is enforced. - furthermore the images you upload gets compressed slightly)
- Automatic backup of photos and movies
- Smart organization and categorization
- Online authoring tools
- sharing and export capabilities
It’s available on IOS and Android (and accessible by browser @ photos.google.com ).
2 Formats
Google photos handles : .png, .jpg, .webp, .gif, .crw, .cr2, .nef, .dng, .orf, .raf, .arw, .pef, .srw, .rw2, .bmp, .ico, .tiff image formats and .mpg, .mod, .mmv, .tod, .wmv, .asf, .avi, .divx, .mov, .m4v, .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .m2t, .m2ts, .mts, .mkv video formats.
3 Resolutions
If you choose high quality setting instead of original quality, you get endless storage space. This setting limits the resolution of the pictures and video to 16MP and 1080p( It appears as if movies are being stored in the original resolution, - if you save a 4K movie in google photos and then share it on youtube, the maximum resolution via google photos is 1080p, but on youtube it is possible to choose to see the film in 4K), and the images and movies that are uploaded will be compressed, which may cause a loss of quality. Unfortunately it seems to films made in the app from images have a maximum resolution of 720p, regardless of the resolution of the source material.
4 Getting started
To make a film, start by selecting some images, press the + icon and choose the movie option. The app will download the images from googles servers and present you with a screen allowing you to:
- Choose a style
- Select/Change music
- Remove individual images
- Share movie.
- Export movie.
5 Styles
It is currently possible to choose between 17 different styles for the film, The chosen style, and music can change the perception of video dramatically :
5.1 Examples:
- Big City\
- Outdoor\
- 8mm\
- Action\
- Documentary\
- Extreme\
- Festival\
- Glamour\
- Lo-Fi\
- Memories\
- Modern pop\
- Punk\
- Showtime\
- Natural\
- Vintage\
6 Music
The Movie Editor Includes some songs in different genres, and the app tries to match the music to the selected movie style. After choosing the music, the movie is recut to match the new music.
7 Sharing options
Choosing the ‘share’ option allows you to send the movie to any app on your device capable of handling video. This allows you to play the video on a chromecast, share it on facebook, youtube etc.
8 Movie export
Choosing to export the movie saves it on your device(and in google photos) allowing transfer to a computer for further refinements.