Fix Out of Focus Videos in Minutes with These Powerful Editing Hacks!

Shooting videos can be an exciting experience, but sometimes, things don't go as planned. One common issue is ending up with out-of-focus footage. However, blurry footage doesn’t have to ruin the day. Tools like Adobe After Effects and DaVinci Resolve come to the rescue. Both offer great techniques to enhance and sharpen videos. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to fix out of focus video using these two powerful software.

Part 1. Understanding Out-of-Focus Videos

Before jumping into fixes, let’s understand what “out of focus” means. Focus is how sharp or clear your subject appears in a video. A video may look blurry or soft if:

• The camera wasn’t properly focused.
• There was motion blur due to sudden movement.
• Poor lighting conditions caused softness.

While modern software can’t make an out-of-focus video perfectly sharp, it can still significantly improve its clarity and make it more presentable.

Part 2. Fix Out of Focus Video After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a go-to solution for refining blurry or soft footage. Its amazing effects library and fine controls make it a great choice to sharpen out of focus video.

Step 1. Import Your Footage

Open Adobe After Effects, import your video by clicking “File” > “Import” > “File,” and drag your clip to the Timeline Panel.

Step 2. Apply the Sharpen Effect

Next, go to the “Effects & Presets Panel” and search for "Sharpen.” Then, drag the Sharpen effect onto your video layer in the timeline. Afterward, adjust the “Sharpen Amount” in the Effect Controls Panel. Start with a value of 20–50.

Step 3. Use the Unsharp Mask (Optional)

For finer control, use the Unsharp Mask effect instead. To do this, search for "Unsharp Mask" in "Effects & Presets" and apply it to your video layer. Adjust the Radius (to control the area of sharpening) and Amount (to increase sharpness).

Experiment until you achieve the desired result without introducing artifacts.

Tip: Enhance contrast and brightness using Lumetri Color (Effects > Color Correction > Lumetri Color), and tweak “Contrast” and “Clarity” to make edges pop without overdoing it.

Step 4. Render Your Video

Once satisfied, render your video by selecting “Composition” > “Add to Render Queue,” then export it in your desired format.

Part 3. Video Out of Focus Fix in DaVinci Resolve

If you’re looking for a free yet professional tool, DaVinci Resolve is an excellent software to fix out of focus video. Known for its color grading capabilities, DaVinci Resolve also features advanced sharpening tools.

Step 1. Import Your Video

Open DaVinci Resolve. Next, start a new project and import your video into the Media Pool. Then, drag your clip onto the timeline in the Edit Page.

Step 2. Apply Sharpening on the Color Page

Next, switch the Color Page option at the bottom and click the Blur and Sharpness icon that looks like a droplet.

Step 3. Adjust Sharpening Settings

In the Inspector, tweak the “Radius” sliders. Drag the sliders downward to increase the sharpness and fix the out-of-focus video.

Remember to keep adjustments subtle to avoid artifacts.

Step 4. Export Your Video

Finally, set the in and out points of the fixed video and click “Deliver” at the bottom.

This will bring up a custom export menu.

Fill in the export details, click “Add to Render Queue,” and select “Render All” to export your fixed out-of-focus video in your own format.

Part 4. Tips When Fixing Out-of-Focus Video on Adobe After Effects and DaVinci Resolve

Fixing an out-of-focus video can be tricky, but with the correct approach, you can significantly improve its clarity. Here are some essential tips to help you get the best results when using Adobe After Effects and DaVinci Resolve:

1. Start with Subtle Sharpening

Over-sharpening can make a video look unnatural and introduce unwanted artifacts. In both After Effects and DaVinci Resolve, start with a low sharpening value and gradually increase it. Use tools like the Sharpen Effect or Unsharp Mask in After Effects and the Sharpen Tool in DaVinci Resolve.

2. Tackle Noise First

Sharpening can amplify noise in your footage. Before applying sharpening, use noise-reduction tools. In After Effects, apply the Reduce Noise Effect, and in Resolve, use the Noise Reduction Tool in the Color Page.

3. Combine with Contrast Adjustments

Enhancing contrast and clarity can further define edges and make the video appear sharper. Use the Lumetri Color panel in After Effects or the Color Wheels in DaVinci Resolve to tweak contrast.

4. Focus on Fine Details

When using sharpening tools, adjust the Radius slider for fine-tuned control. Smaller values sharpen finer details without exaggerating larger areas.

5. Preview Often

Preview changes at 100% resolution to assess how sharpening affects the overall look. What appears sharp at a lower zoom may look overdone when viewed in full resolution.

With these tips, you can transform blurry videos into polished, presentable content!

Part 5. HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer to Tweak Edited Out-of-Focus Videos

It’s very easy to sharpen out of focus video using Adobe After Effects and Devinci Resolve software. However, if you are a beginner and cannot edit your videos further to enhance their appeal, HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer can do this by itself in a few minutes.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Upload Video

In the first step, go to the HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer web page and click Login. After signing in, click “Choose Video” or use the drag-and-drop functionality to upload the video to the online tool.

Step 2. Select Models and Preview

Wait for the video processing to complete, and then, in the left menu, you can use any of the models to improve your video.

• Face Model: Retouch the human face details and upgrade the appearance.
• General Denoise Model: Get rid of video noise to make it clear and new.
• Animation Model: Repair animated video and restore the clarity.
• Color Enhancement: Sharpen the already existing colors in the video.
• Colorize Model: Convert black and white video to color.
• Low-Light Enhancement Model: Brighten your videos with AI.

Not only that, you can choose a fixed resolution for your footage, ranging from 720p to 8k.

Step 3. Download and Export Your Edited Video

Click the “Preview” button below to see the before and edited video. If satisfied, click “Download,” choose the download file type, enter your email address, and click “Confirm” to get the video in your email within an hour.

Part 6. FAQs of Fixing Out of Focus Video

Conclusion on Fixing Out of Focus Video

Dealing with out-of-focus footage can feel disheartening, but Adobe After Effects and DaVinci Resolve empower you to fix these issues. With the right techniques, you can fix out of focus video, apply creative adjustments, and make it look much better.

Remember, video editing is as much an art as it is a technical process, so don’t hesitate to experiment. Whether you’re working on a professional project or a personal memory, these steps will help you salvage your blurry clips and make them shine!