How to Create Zoom Effect in Premiere Pro

When working with still images or videos featuring limited movement, adding motion can be an effective way to spruce up your project. With these instructions, learn how to simulate a camera zoom effect in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Zooming in on a particular portion of an image can help attract the viewer’s eye to the focal subject, while also adding life to an otherwise static presentation. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this effect.

Starting the Pan & Zoom Tool

Zooming in and out is typically done using keyframes in the Effect Controls panel. This is how it works.

Import your video clips into the Project Panel.
Drag your chosen video clip to the Timeline.
Click to select the video clip you wish to manipulate in the Timeline.
Go to the “Effect Controls” panel. If it’s not visible, go to Window > Effect Controls to open it.
Under the “Motion” category in Effect Controls, you will see “Scale” and “Position”. These are the parameters you’ll be altering for your zoom effect.
To set your starting point (no zoom), click the stopwatch icon next to “Scale” to create a keyframe at the current scale value (usually 100% for full frame).
Move the play head to the point where you want the zoom to end. Increase the “Scale” value to zoom in. A new keyframe will be created automatically.
If necessary, adjust the “Position” values to center the zoom where you want it.

Please note: Stable footage generally produces the best results for zooms. Footage with minimal movement shot from a tripod or other stable platform is ideal.

Premiere Pro allows you to make your video productions dynamic and engaging with its robust tools and features. And when you need high-quality image content, consider resources like Shutterstock for a comprehensive selection of categorized, royalty-free content. Use these resources to enhance your media projects to the next level.

Cover image via Sharaf Maksumov