Camera flash effect using Final Cut Pro X

In Final Cut Pro X, it easy to create a camera flash effect.

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To start, select a clip in your event library.

Then drag the clip to the primary storyline within the timeline area.

Skim through the clip within the timeline and park the skimmer over an area that you want to freeze.

Then use the keyboard shortcut command B to break the clip into two pieces.

Now press the X key to select the second portion of the clip.

Use the keyboard shortcut shift+ H to create a hold frame based on the position of the skimmer.

Notice how Final Cut Pro X creates a hold frame at the beginning of the edit point.

You can decrease the hold time by dragging the red hold area of the retiming bar.

The last step is to apply a transition to simulate a camera flash.

First, navigate to the Final Cut Pro menu and select preferences.

Change the parameter of applying transitions to use available media.

Now move over the upper right corner of the timeline area and click on the transitions browser button.

Click on the lights category.

Find the light noise transition and drag it onto the edit point between your two clip segments.

Now click on the transition within the project to select it.

Use the keyboard shortcut control D to change the duration of the light noise transition to 10 frames.

Okay now we've got our camera flash transition.  

This next step is to add a sound effect.

Navigate to the Music and Sound browser button and click on it.

At the bottom of the Music and Sound browser,  type the keyword camera in the search box.

Drag the camera shutter sound underneath the light noise  transition in your timeline.

Okay that's it!

Back up and watch the final result.

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