How Can I Make My Video Look Like a Security Camera?

If you’ve ever watched a crime show or a spy movie, you must have noticed the security camera footage. The video captured by security cameras has a unique look that sets it apart from other types of video footage.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive security cameras to achieve this look. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make your video look like a security camera using some simple techniques.

What is the Security Camera Look?

The security camera look is characterized by specific visual elements that are different from regular video footage. These elements include:

  • Black and white or desaturated colors
  • Visible grain and noise
  • Narrow field of view
  • Fisheye distortion
  • Low resolution

How to Make Your Video Look Like a Security Camera?

Now that we know what elements make up the security camera look let’s dive into how to achieve it.

Desaturate Your Video

One of the easiest ways to give your video the appearance of being captured by a security camera is to desaturate it. This means removing the color from your video and making it black and white or monochromatic. You can use software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro to desaturate your video.

Add Grain and Noise

The next step is to add visible grain and noise to your desaturated footage. This will give it an authentic analog feel and add texture to your footage. You can use plugins like FilmConvert or Red Giant Universe for this effect.

Create Narrow Field of View

Most security cameras have a limited field of view, which means they only capture certain parts of the scene. You can achieve this effect by cropping your video and creating a narrow field of view. This can be done using the crop tool in your editing software.

Apply Fisheye Distortion

Fisheye distortion is another hallmark of security camera footage. This effect creates a curved, distorted look at the edges of the frame. You can apply this effect using plugins like Boris FX or Red Giant Universe.

Reduce Video Resolution

Finally, you’ll want to reduce the resolution of your video to give it that low-fi feel. Most security cameras have a low resolution, which results in a pixelated look. You can achieve this by exporting your video in a lower resolution than you shot it in or by using a plugin like Magic Bullet Instant HD.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can easily make your video footage look like it was captured by a security camera. Remember to desaturate your video, add grain and noise, create a narrow field of view, apply fisheye distortion and reduce the resolution to achieve that authentic security camera look. With these techniques, you’ll be able to produce engaging videos that look like they were taken directly from surveillance footage!