Do you have a gorgeous panoramic photo that you’re dying to share on Instagram but don’t because the standard image size for landscape doesn’t really do the image justice?
Well, I have a solution for you!
If you’re a photographer on Instagram, you may have noticed a decline in engagement when posting static images. This means it’s time to adapt and jump onto the Reels bandwagon!
I’m going to show you a great way to turn your beautiful panoramic photo into an MP4 video file that you can share in an Instagram Reel or if you’d prefer to share it as a square video post in your grid, you can do that too.
Here’s how to do it!
Psst…the finished product is at the end of this post if you’d like to take a peek.
Step 1 – Photoshop
Open Photoshop CC.
Step 2 – Create A New Document
Create a new document with the dimensions 1080px wide by 1920px high if you’d like to include your video in a Reel.
For grid posts make the dimensions 1080px wide by 1080px high.
Step 3 – Inserting the Image
Now click File > Place Embedded and select the panoramic image you’d like to turn into a video from your computer. Then click Place.
- NOTE: It is important to add the photo to the document in this manner otherwise the effect won’t work.
Step 4 – Resize The Image
Resize the image so that it fits the height of the document. To do this, hold down Shift and Alt keys together (if you’re using a PC), grab a corner of the panoramic image with the Selection tool, and drag it until the image fills the height of the frame. Then double-click.
Step 5 – Create The Video Timeline
From the Window menu select Timeline.
Click the button below that says “Create Video Timeline”. A purple timeline will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Step 6 – Set The Panning Motion
Now click the grey arrow in the far top right corner of the purple timeline.
Click the drop-down menu that says “No Motion” and select “Pan”.
Step 7 – Set The Beginning Keyframe
At the beginning of the purple timeline, you’ll notice a blue tab. This is where the first keyframe is automatically set. Click the blue tab and reposition the panoramic photo with the Selection tool so that the left side is flush with the left side of the frame.
Step 8 – Set The Ending Keyframe
Next, drag the blue tab along the timeline to the end. This is where the last keyframe is set.
Now reposition the panoramic photo using the Selection tool. Hold down the Shift key and drag the image so the right side is flush with the right side of the frame.
You’ll notice now that when you drag the blue tab back along the timeline that there is now a panning motion! Woohoo!
* NOTE: Photoshop automatically sets the duration to 5 seconds but you can drag the purple timeline to the right to increase it.
Step 9 – Now it’s time to export the video!
Now click on the grey arrow in the very bottom left corner. A rendering screen will appear. Name the file and select a folder where you’d like to save it. Then click Render.
That’s it! You’ve now made an MP4 video of a panning panoramic photo! Contrats!
You can now import it into Canva and do a few more things with it like add a snowflake overlay and some fancy text and graphics or just simply email it to your phone and include it into a Reel directly.
Check out the finished product!
Get in Touch!
If you have questions about this or anything else related to photography or web design, I’m happy to offer some tips and advice. Email me at taniaveitch@tevweb.com and I’ll reach out as soon as I can.
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