<p>In After Effects, there is an effect <code>Exposure</code> that controls the exposure of the layer. You could probably use that instead of a white shape layer.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-19T22:22:09.167Z
2012-12-19T22:22:09.167Z
Jeeter
<p>I suppose you mean that you've filmed a flash that you want to "fire" in After Effects.
If you buy the Video Copilot <strong>Optical Flares</strong> or Red Giant <strong>Knoll Light Factory</strong> you can simply put a lens flare on the flash and animate the strength.</p>

<p>Download a trial and see for yourself!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-12T11:08:05.623Z
2012-03-12T11:08:05.623Z
Friend of Kim
<p>As a photographer, a flash is simply a very short burst of white light (as you're no doubt aware). The maximum time at full power is usually around 1/250th of a second, which is equal to 1/10th of a frame. In that case, if you were to accurately represent a flash being fired, you would simply boost the exposure of a single frame by several stops (to make it almost completely white, whilst retaining a little bit of detail).</p>

<p>Something as simple as this would suffice.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qjGwN.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>For one frame.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/zKx91.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>If you really wanted to be technically accurate, you could simulate the CMOS flicker of a flash by only boosting the exposure on a horizontal portion of the frame, say the top 2/3rds or something.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-12T22:59:43.990Z
So, we've given him two different answers. One that simulates a subject getting hit by a flash, and one that simulates a flash firing into the camera.
Friend of Kim
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-03-12T22:14:39.457Z
2012-03-12T22:14:39.457Z
Nick Bedford
<p>Can anyone give me some tips on simulating a camera flash in After Effects. I am trying to make it keyframing the scale and opacity of a white shape layer but I can't get it to look right.</p>

<after-effects>
Simulating a camera flash
TheSwansonCode
# Simulating a camera flash

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-03-12)

Can anyone give me some tips on simulating a camera flash in After Effects. I am trying to make it keyframing the scale and opacity of a white shape layer but I can't get it to look right.

**Tags:** after-effects


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-03-12. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

As a photographer, a flash is simply a very short burst of white light (as you're no doubt aware). The maximum time at full power is usually around 1/250th of a second, which is equal to 1/10th of a frame. In that case, if you were to accurately represent a flash being fired, you would simply boost the exposure of a single frame by several stops (to make it almost completely white, whilst retaining a little bit of detail).

Something as simple as this would suffice.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/qjGwN.jpg)

For one frame.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/zKx91.jpg)

If you really wanted to be technically accurate, you could simulate the CMOS flicker of a flash by only boosting the exposure on a horizontal portion of the frame, say the top 2/3rds or something.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: So, we've given him two different answers. One that simulates a subject getting hit by a flash, and one that simulates a flash firing into the camera.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2012-12-19. Score: 2

In After Effects, there is an effect `Exposure` that controls the exposure of the layer. You could probably use that instead of a white shape layer.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2012-03-12. Score: 0

I suppose you mean that you've filmed a flash that you want to "fire" in After Effects.
If you buy the Video Copilot **Optical Flares** or Red Giant **Knoll Light Factory** you can simply put a lens flare on the flash and animate the strength.

Download a trial and see for yourself!


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