3 Ways to Add Light Leak Overlay to Video

Last Updated: 2022. 09. 05

Photographers and video lovers always try to avoid light leaks at all costs because the burst into their camera can completely ruin the film. But now light leaks have become a popular aesthetic to craft a warm and textured look purposefully.

From nurture scenes to music videos, light leaks add a touch of vintage to your footage. Now, this blog introduces three ways to add a fabulous leak overlay to your videos. Let's dive in.

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Method 1: Add Light Leak Overlay to Video Online

The simplest way to add light leaks is to use an editor that provides pre-made overlays.

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How to Add Free Light Leak Overlay Using FlexClip

To add light leak overlay to your videos, FlexClip provides two easy solutions and here we'll explain them separately. Follow the steps below.

1. Add Light Leak with Pre-made Effects

Step 1
Import the video you want to use and drag them to the timeline.
Upload Media Resources to FlexClip

Upload Media Resources to FlexClip

Step 2
Move your cursor to Overlays and tap the See all icon to explore all the effects. You'll see lots of overlay effects and scroll down to find the light leaks overlay you like.
Go to the Overlays Panel

Go to the Overlays Panel

Step 3
Apply the overlay to the video. After that, you can change the opacity value and blender mode to make it more adaptive.
Apply the Light Leak Effect to Video

Apply the Light Leak Effect to Video

Step 4
Make more edits to your video by adding text, music and transitions with great ease.
Make More Edits to Your Video

Make More Edits to Your Video

2. Use Light Leak Video as a Video Overlay

Besides free light leak effects, FlexClip also allows you to use a light leak video as an overlay. Follow to learn how to create a light leak overlay with video.

Step 1
Upload all the videos and drag them to the timeline.
Upload Video to FlexClip

Upload Video to FlexClip

Step 2
Select the light leak video you want to use as an overlay. If you already have a video, just import it. Otherwise, go to the Video stock to find your favorite one.
Find a Light Leak Video

Find a Light Leak Video

Step 3
Now it's time to add the overlay. Just tap the Add As Layer icon to enable this video as an overlay.
Use a Light Leak Video as Overlay

Use a Light Leak Video as Overlay

Step 4
Drag and drop the sidebar to cover the background completely. Then you can speed up the video, adjust the brightness and change the opacity value as needed.
Edit the Overlay to Adapt the Video

Edit the Overlay to Adapt the Video

Method 2: Create Light Leak Overlay to Video Using Premiere Pro

Need a professional program to edit videos? Premiere Pro is what you need. As the industry-leading video editor, it packs many editing tools and effects that make your process a breeze. Thanks to its flexibility and professionalism, making a light leak overlay becomes easy.

Step 1
Create a new sequence and give it a name. Afterward, go to the document panel to create a black video and drag it to the timeline.
Step 2
Go to your Effects panel and search for Noise HLS Auto effect, then drag it onto your video.
Step 3
Head to the Effect Controls section and make adjustments to brightness, high size and noise animation speed. Then turn on the high quality playback in your Wrench panel.
Step 4
Go to the Effects again to find the gaussian blur option and make edits as you need.
Step 5
Add the edited video to your sequence and blow it up to the sequence of the whole background. Here you can change the opacity value and adjust the blend mode to the screen.
Step 6
Move to your Effects panel and find the tint effect to make your light leak more natural. Now the light leak overlay is finished.

Create a Light Leak Overlay with Premiere Pro

Method 3: Create Overlay Light Leaks with Runway

Runway is an AI-powered video editor with full creative controls of creation. When it comes to giving your video a retro look, it adds a vintage flair to your video that mimcs soft light leaking through the lens. Besides, it has countless effects and tools for precision editing.

Create Light Leak Overlay with Runway

Create Light Leak Overlay with Runway

How to Create Light Leak Overlay with Runway

Step 1
Directly import your video and drag it to the timeline.
Step 2
Now it's time to add a light leak overlay. Find Runway's "Light Leaks" effect in the effects library on the right-hand side of the editor and add it to your video. After applying, refine with sliders like coloration, angle, and scale, until you achieve your desired look.
Step 3
Once you're satisfied with the applied effect, you can either continue editing or export your finished creation in a variety of resolution and formatting options.

The Bottom Line

Learning how to create a light leak won't be a hassle, especially if you've chosen the right editing tool. Here this blog introduces three ways to add light leaks overlay to your videos and you can pick one to get started. Now it's your move.

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