Did you know that 23 million GIFs are posted to Tumblr every day? GIFs have taken the internet by storm and are shared, posted, and created millions of times every day.
Want to go viral on social media? Don’t post without the perfect GIF to match! Learn how to turn a video into a GIF with this easy step-by-step guide.
What is a GIF?
A GIF is a looping video that is shared online through social media, email, or text messages. It is the in-between point between a photo and a video. A GIF usually lasts fewer than five seconds and is contained in a small file size perfect for mobile use.
GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format and was developed by a CompuServe employee in 1987. However, it became an internet sensation in the past decade.
GIFs can be used for anything from business ads to pop culture memes. A GIF is a sharable, sometimes viral, media clip. It is a creative and fun way to share your content, emotions, or opinions.
1. Select Your Theme, Content, or Subject
So, you want to make a GIF? First off you need to select a theme, content, or subject. You can make your GIF about anything you want and featuring almost anyone you wish, even celebrities.
GIFs can be made for personal or professional use. If you’re making a GIF for professional use try to pick a theme that is related to your organization’s goals or a client’s campaign.
For personal use, you can make a GIF from home videos or clips from the internet. However, it is very important to use high-quality videos for your GIFs.
2. Record a High-Quality Video
Ready to start making your GIF? Now that you’ve selected what you want your GIF to be about, it is time to record a video to use in your very own clip.
It is easy to record good videos on personal devices like iPhones and Macs. You don’t need any fancy equipment anymore to make a GIF. If you need tips on how to record video on Mac check out this page.
When recording your video on your device, make sure to take a few different takes. It is important to have enough good footage to pare down into the short GIF. It is easy to record extra footage in the moment then go back to the filming stage after you’ve wrapped filming.
3. How to Turn Video into a GIF
Now that you’ve picked a theme, and recorded your video, it is time to convert video into a GIF. To make a GIF you can use a GIF creating software. We’ve rounded up a few of the most popular sites to use when creating your own GIF.
Giphy
Giphy is a widely poplar GIF library and creator. You can select a pre-made GIF on Giphy or make one of your own. Giphy has one of the quickest and easiest GIF makers.
Go to the website, click on the create button and follow the on-screen instructions. It really is that easy! No account, information, or payment is needed to make a GIF on Giphy.
Are you interested in making GIFS on the go? Do you need to use a mobile device to quickly create a GIF? Giphy’s ‘Giphy Cam’ feature is essential for mobile GIF-making.
Once you upload a video to Giphy Cam you can add your own filters and stickers. After these steps are complete you’ve made your GIF and now you are ready to share!
Photoshop
If you would like to get a bit more technical with your GIF-making skills, consider using Photoshop. Photoshop can come with a hefty price tag, but if you already own or have access to the software this is a good option for you.
Photoshop allows the most control in the editing process for professional GIF makers. These GIFS will be the highest quality.
In order to take a clip and turn it into a GIF on Photoshop, import the video and select video frames to layers. Next, select the segment of the clip you would like to make a GIF of. Select the ‘make frame animation’ box and then save for web.
Now you can play around with advanced GIF design options.
Make a GIF: YouTube to GIF Feature
Are you missing a home video clip to make into a GIF? Do you want to create a GIF of your favorite movie scene? Make a GIF‘s YouTube to GIF feature is the place for you.
In order to make a GIF with a YouTube clip, you must find the web address of the video you want to use. Using the website ‘Make a Gif’ you can input the YouTube URL.
From here all you need to do is drag and drop your cursor until you have the right timeframe selected. You can make GIFS for free at Make a GIF, or you can upgrade to a premium account to create high definition GIFS and remove their watermark.
Make Your Own GIF Today
GIF-making is fun and easy with these tips and tools. Follow these simple steps to learn how to turn video into a GIF.
GIFs are a universal language that can fit pop culture, corporate, or personal preferences. Start expressing yourself, or your company, by making your own unique, original GIFS.
Are you interested in learning more about creative possibilities? Read more on the blog.
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