Blurred or "glowing" highlights in Premiere PRo

[wturner]

Does anyone know how I can make the highlights in a video slightly blurred or "glowing" without affecting the shadows or midtones so that highlights appear to glow without losing sharpness and detail in the shadows and midtones? I thought if I could have the same video on two layers, the bottom one blurred and the top video transparent in the highlights, that would do it, but I don't know how to make just highlights transparent.

Wait, I think I figured it out. I use the Luma Key and the Gaussian Blu together. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

[Guiboche]

Using the SCREEN key works too.

[edDV]

Try Non-Additive Mix (NAM), a classic switcher composite effect used for smoke or lightening.

Since it is a YCbCr mix based on luminance level, edges may be less harsh than a luminance key. Pixels above the mix threshold are passed to foreground from A or B. Whichever pixel is higher in luma value, that YCbCr pixel is passed 100%.

Foreground


NAM example

[wturner]

edDV: thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, you're way over my head with that. I have only the foggiest remote notion of what you're talking about. But I appreciate your effort. I'm just not up to your level. If you want to give me detailed newbie instruction, I'll try to understand. Is "Non-Additive Mix" a video effect included with PPro? Thanks.

Guiboche:I don't know how the Screen Key works, but I'll read the help and try to figure it out. If you have further suggestions or instructions on using the Screen Key for this purpose, let me know. Thank you.

wturner

[Guiboche]

Just take a copy of your footage and place it on VIDEO TRACK 2. Then use FAST BLUR from the effects. Make sure "Repeat Edge Pixels" is checked. Blur it about 10-20. What ever you desire. Then drag the SCREEN KEY over VIDEO TRACK 2.

For more control of the highlights, you would also use LEVELS. But always make sure SCREEN KEY is the last effect in the list. Like this:

BLUR
LEVELS
SCREEN

Otherwise SCREEN won't work.

[wturner]

Thank you, Guiboche. I'll try it. In your explanation, video track 2 is above video track 1, and video track 1 will be the original unaltered video, correct?

[edDV]

edDV: thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, you're way over my head with that. I have only the foggiest remote notion of what you're talking about. But I appreciate your effort. I'm just not up to your level. If you want to give me detailed newbie instruction, I'll try to understand. Is "Non-Additive Mix" a video effect included with PPro? Thanks..

Look under Transitions - Dissolve
http://ppro.wikia.com/wiki/Transition:_Non-Additive_Dissolve

Here it is in Premiere 6.5. Pro is similar.

[edDV]

The other image. Strongest pixel comes through 100%. See light.