How to Apply Ken Burns Effect in Premiere Elements

Add some motion to still photos shown in movies with pan and zoom.

If you've paid attention to slideshows or historical documentaries, then you're probably familiar with an effect that pans across a photo. In video editing programs such as iMovie, this effect is called the "Ken Burns Effect," after the historical documentarian of that name who frequently uses it. In other video editing programs, it's commonly known as "pan and zoom." If you're working with Adobe Premiere Elements, you can achieve this effect using the "pan and zoom" tools available within the platform.

Instructions

1. Click on the still photo to which you want to add the effect on the Premiere Elements Storyboard.

2. Click "Enable Pan & Zoom" from the Properties box that appears.

3. Look for the green "Start" box within the Properties window. Drag one of its corners to display the portion of the photo that you want to appear when the photo first displays in the video project.

4. Repeat the process in the "End" box by dragging the corners of the photo to display the portion of the photo that you want to appear when the photo is done displaying.

5. Type the number of seconds you want the photo to appear in the "Duration" box.

6. Press "Play" to preview the effect. The effect is applied to your photo.

Tips & Warnings

• The pan and zoom effect is only available for still photos and not for video material.

References

• Poynter: Meaning in Motion: Ken Burns and His "Effect"; Regina McCombs; June 2007
• Adobe Elements Organizer 8: Set Pan and Zoom