Ken Burns effect
Also known as: pan and zoom, slow zoom on photos
Slowly panning across and zooming into a still image or static shot to add motion, named after the documentary filmmaker who made it famous.
Updated
What it means
The Ken Burns effect brings still images to life with slow movement. Instead of showing a photo statically, the edit gradually zooms in or out and pans across it, guiding the viewer to details. It takes its name from the American documentary maker known for using it with historical photographs.
In action and travel edits, it helps include photos, such as a summit picture or a group shot, in a video without the jarring stop of a static frame. It also works on static video shots, such as a tripod view of a landscape, adding subtle life.
The effect is built with keyframes for position and scale, or with a dedicated pan and zoom tool.
How it works in practice
Use high-resolution photos so the zoom stays sharp. Choose a start and end framing with a purpose, for example from the whole group to one smiling face, or from a wide view to the summit cross.
Keep the movement slow and eased, and let each image stay on screen for a few seconds so viewers can take it in. Matching the direction of movement across several photos creates flow, while alternating directions can feel restless.
A drone panorama is an excellent source, since its huge resolution allows long, sweeping pans that look like aerial video.
What to watch out for
Zooming into low-resolution or compressed images reveals blur and artifacts. Use original files rather than images saved from chat apps, which are often heavily compressed.
Fast or jerky pans look cheap. Slow, smooth motion is the point of the effect, so use eased keyframes rather than linear ones.
Too many slowly animated photos in a row can make an action video feel like a slideshow. Mix them sparingly between video clips, and use them for moments where you only have stills. A photo can also make a calm, reflective ending.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip builds highlights from video clips, so photos are not included. Turn your best photos into short pan and zoom clips, export them as MP4 or MOV, and upload them with your footage for your highlight.