Cinemagraphs

Still Image that Includes a Small Looping Video

Overview

In this Motion Graphics assignment, I learned how to create Cinemagraphs—still images with subtle, looping motion elements. Using Adobe Photoshop, I developed techniques for masking, layering, and motion refinement to create immersive visuals that blend photography and video. The project required attention to detail and a deep understanding of visual storytelling, emphasizing both technical execution and creative experimentation.

First Attempt

These were the first attempts I made at Cinemagraphs. I spent a couple hours in my then dorm room messing around in photoshop looping videos into layer masks and this was the initial attempt I came up with

Second Attempt

After my first attempt I spent more time figuring out the basics and found easier ways to make my cinemagraphs.

Design Process

Here is a look at some of the work and layers I put into all of my CInemagraphs. It took a while to get acquainted with the Photoshop features required, but it was a rewarding experience that helped better myself as a designer.

Final Cinemagraph

For my final Cinemagraph, I captured a still image of my hands positioned over a laptop keyboard, with only the screen’s text subtly animating. The goal was to create a seamless, looping motion that brought quiet emphasis to digital communication without disturbing the stillness of the composition. This project posed a unique technical challenge: accounting for and maintaining the consistency of reflections on the laptop screen as the animated text looped. Through careful masking and frame-by-frame editing in Adobe Photoshop, I achieved a convincing visual effect that blends motion with stillness. The result is a calm, focused loop that draws attention through subtlety and precision.