Could You Help Me Identify A Technique I've Seen?

[BigDUpstateNY]

This is my very first posting on this forum that I have found invaluable over the years. That's right, I finally got around to registering!

In the past, I've watched PBS historical programs that include the presentation (slideshows) of old pictures. I've seen a particular technique used where they actually appear to have transformed some of those old pictures into multidimensional images that appear to move during their presentation.. specifically, the subject in the foreground appears to shift slightly against an immobile background. It is as if the viewer is changing his/her perspective of the subject and its relationship to the background by moving slightly to the left or right. Boy, I hope that makes sense.

From what I've learned, I don't think this is: First - the "Ken Burns Effect" where you're zooming in and out or panning across an image; or Second - a "cinemagraph" where a video is altered to render a still image that contains part of a video image.

With my limited background, it appears they decompose a still image into a foreground part and background part - and then somehow slightly move the image against the background when they create the video. Additional Note: It appears they are working within one image, and not taking a subject and combining it with a totally different background.

My questions: 1. What is this technique called? 2. Are there any tools (preferably free) to help accomplish the effect?

Finally, I'm using Pinnacle Studio 12 Ultimate to edit and author... and I have a storehouse of free editing tools that I have collected over the years from the tools section on this site, and as a result of the recommendations of many talented technicians on this forum.

Thanks,

[poisondeathray]

If I'm understanding your description correctly, it's simulating 3D scene from 2D elements +/- 3D depth of field. It's done by using mask selections and isolating layers (elements in the still photo are "cut out"), positioning them in 3D space. Because the layers are staggered in 3D space (they have a z-depth) , you get a parallax effect when the camera moves (objects closer to the camera move more than distant objects). To embellish or "sell" the effect, often the background is defocused simulating 3D depth of field. You need a 2.5D or 3D compositing application , that has a composition camera to do this (e.g. after effects) . A standard NLE won't be able to do it because you don't have z-depth (only x,y), and you don't have a camera. I don't know of a good free way to do this.

You can see tutorial #46 (mouse over the image to see a preview of the effect)
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/


EDIT: You might be able to do it in debugmode wax, combined with an image editor like gimp , or blender (steep learning curve)

[budwzr]

That's "Card Animation". The image is embedded on a 2D layer , then the layer is animated in 3D space. Card animation is frequently seen in matchmoving projects, although they're not the same animal.

Another NLE to consider is Sony Vegas Pro. And HitFilm is an AE clone, but much cheaper. Either one can do it, but they have different interfaces and methods.