Joe's Filters: Joe's Diffuser

Joe's Diffusion is a part of Joe's Filters, a set of shareware utility and image processing plugins for Final Cut Pro.

What it does

Joe's Diffuser can simulate the look of video shot through a diffusion or Pro-Mist style filter. This effect is achieved by compositing a blurred copy of the original image back onto itself. The result is gently reduced detail, softened contrast and gently flared highlights. A complete set of compositing modes allows Joe's Diffuser to create many other effects. Basic levels controls are included for tweaking the image to change the diffusion characteristics.

Another name for this sort of effect as coined by Trish Meyer is "Instant Sex", though I have no idea what a tranparent blurry layer has to do with sex. But maybe that's just me.

Example Images

Original Image
Same scene shot with a Tiffen Black Pro-Mist 1	Same scene shot with a Tiffen Black Diffusion FX 3
Joe's Diffuser Blur: 10 Mode: Normal Opacity: 30 Input Black: 25 Input White: 200 Output Black: 30 Output White: 225	Joe's Diffuser Blur: 10 Mode: Normal Opacity: 50 Input Black: 50 Input White: 255 Output Black: 35 Output White: 160
Joe's Diffuser Blur: 50 Mode: Lighten Opacity: 50 Input Black: 50 Input White: 255 Output Black: 35 Output White: 160	Joe's Diffuser Blur: 10 Mode: Normal Opacity: 50 Input Black: 50 Input White: 255 Output Black: 35 Output White: 160 Same as above, with Joe's Color Glow added to create a flare around the candle.

The Joe's Diffusion examples are brighter than the raw source video because the camera's iris was not adjusted to compensate for the darkening effect of the Pro-Mist and DiffusionFX filters.

Controls

• Blur (0 - 50)

  Sets the blur of the diffusion image.

• Mode

  Determines the compositing method for the blurred image.

• Opacity (0 - 100)

  Blending opacity for the blurred image.

• Input Black, Input White, Output Black, Output White

  Levels controls for manipulating the blurred image before compositing.