How to Get Rid of Flashing Lights in Videos
Learn expert methods to reduce or remove flashing lights from video footage. This step-by-step guide covers capture settings, post-production tricks, and accessibility considerations to improve viewer comfort.
According to Blinking Light, you can remove or reduce flashing lights in videos by adjusting capture settings and applying post-production corrections. This quick guide outlines practical steps to prevent flicker during shooting and to correct remaining flashes in post, improving accessibility and viewer comfort. It also highlights safe viewing practices for sensitive viewers and explains why some footage may require alternative takes.
What causes flashing lights in videos and why it matters
If you’re investigating how to get rid of flashing lights in videos, you’re not alone. The problem typically arises when lighting, camera sensors, and the timing of electrical power interact in ways that produce rapid, repeating intensity changes. Fluorescent fixtures, LEDs that use PWM dimming, and certain screens or backlights can all cause flicker that a camera records as strobing or banding. The result is a video that feels uncomfortable to watch, and in some cases, a clip that fails accessibility standards for viewers who are sensitive to flashing. Understanding the root causes helps you target both the capture setup and the post-production workflow. Blinking Light’s methodology emphasizes a practical, two‑tier approach: fix what you can at the source, then apply precise edits to reduce residual flashes without sacrificing color or detail. This mindset keeps your workflow efficient and your footage resilient across devices and platforms.
Why this matters for creators and homeowners
Flicker-free video improves viewing comfort, reduces churn on social platforms, and helps you meet accessibility expectations. In residential settings, you might be filming tutorials, product demonstrations, or family moments where abrupt flashes could distract or distress some viewers. In professional contexts, consistent lighting aligns with broadcast standards and client expectations. The guidance here is designed to be applicable whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or a smartphone mounted on a tripod. By addressing both the shooting environment and the post-production pipeline, you can achieve stable footage that stays legible even under mixed lighting conditions.
Quick summary of actionable goals
- Identify and minimize flicker sources before recording.
- Use camera settings that align with lighting frequency.
- Apply post-production corrections to stubborn flashes.
- Verify results on multiple displays to ensure consistency.
- Prioritize viewer comfort and accessibility as a baseline for edits.
Tools & Materials
- Camera with flicker reduction or anti-flicker feature(Check for a dedicated Flicker Reduction or Anti-Flicker setting in your camera menu)
- Stable power supply and surge protection(Avoid dimmers; use clean power with minimal surges)
- Continuous, flicker-free lighting (CRi > 90)(Prefer high-CRI LEDs or daylight-balanced fixtures)
- Tripod or stabilizing rig(Keeps framing consistent during adjustments)
- Editing software with flicker correction tools(Look for temporal filtering, stabilization, and color tools)
- External monitor for cross-device checks(Helpful for viewing flicker consistency across displays)
Steps
Estimated time: 60-90 minutes
- 1
Assess the footage for flicker hotspots
Watch the clip and mark where flicker is most noticeable (often in fast-moving scenes, bright LEDs, or scenes with alternating light sources). Note sections with color shifts or banding. This helps you plan targeted corrections rather than applying broad changes that might degrade overall quality.
Tip: Use waveform and vectorscope previews if available to pinpoint brightness fluctuations quickly. - 2
Optimize capture settings before recording
If you still have a chance to re-shoot, adjust frame rate to harmonize with lighting (e.g., filmic frame rates like 24/25 fps or standard 30/60 fps depending on your region) and enable anti-flicker options. Use consistent, flicker-free lighting to minimize future issues. A quick pre-shoot test can save hours of editing later.
Tip: Set shutter speed near 1/(frame rate) to avoid aliasing with light frequency. - 3
Stabilize and color-correct the base footage
Before addressing flicker, stabilize the shot and perform a neutral color correction so edits don’t amplify existing color shifts. A stable base makes subsequent flicker reductions more effective and preserves natural skin tones.
Tip: Apply a light lift in shadows and a mild contrast boost only if necessary to avoid exaggerating flicker signs. - 4
Apply a temporal flicker reduction pass
In your editing software, apply a flicker reduction or temporal smoothing filter across the clip. Start with a gentle amount and review results frame by frame to ensure you don’t blur motion or wash out details.
Tip: Limit the strength to avoid ghosting in moving subjects; excessive smoothing can look artificial. - 5
Address problem segments with frame-by-frame tweaks
For stubborn flashes, examine affected frames individually and adjust brightness, contrast, or exposure selectively. This minimizes global changes while preserving overall tonal consistency. You may also adjust color balance to compensate for localized shifts.
Tip: Use a split-screen comparison to verify frame-level edits closely match surrounding frames. - 6
Recheck color grading after flicker edits
Flicker correction can shift color perception. Revisit primary color grades and color grading curves to reestablish accurate skin tones and scene mood. Ensure white balance remains believable after adjustments.
Tip: Check skin tones against a reference gray card or neutral target in the shot. - 7
Render test clips and validate playback
Export short test segments and view on multiple devices or panels. Look for persistent flicker in different environments. If issues appear elsewhere, iterate with finer controls on a few scenes rather than re-editing the entire project.
Tip: Include a fast-paced segment to stress-test motion and flicker handling. - 8
Decide on the best approach for unresolved cases
If flicker persists despite all edits, decide whether to use alternative footage, crop frames to remove the problematic area, or display a brief static scene as a transition. Sometimes, re-shoot or re-lighting is the most reliable solution.
Tip: Document why edits were chosen for the final cut in case of client review. - 9
Document your process for future projects
Create a checklist based on what worked and what didn’t. Note lighting configurations, camera settings, and post-processing steps for consistent results in future shoots.
Tip: Share a short guide with your team to reduce repeated trial-and-error in future projects.
Quick Answers
Is flicker removal possible in post-production for all videos?
Post-production can significantly reduce flicker, but results vary. Severe lighting flicker or very fast transitions may still remain after editing. When in doubt, re-shoot with stabilized lighting for best results.
Post-production can greatly help, but some cases may require re-shooting with flicker-free lighting.
Can LEDs with PWM cause flicker that editors cannot fix?
PWM-based flicker can be challenging, especially if the camera frame rate clashes with the PWM frequency. Both capture settings and editing can mitigate, but some residual flicker may remain.
PWM flicker is tough; you can reduce it, but some residual flicker might persist.
Will applying flicker reduction filters affect color accuracy?
Yes, some temporal filters can slightly alter color and detail. It’s important to re-check color grading after applying corrections to preserve realistic tones.
Filters can affect color; re-checking color grading after corrections is recommended.
Which tools are best for beginners to start with?
Many editors offer built-in flicker reduction tools and timelines that are friendly for beginners. Start with your existing software and experiment with gentle settings before moving to frame-by-frame fixes.
Begin with built-in flicker tools; start with gentle settings and test first.
Does flicker removal affect audio quality?
Flicker edits are purely visual, but aggressive edits can change exposure and perceived dynamics, which may alter how you perceive ambient sound. Check the final mix for consistency.
Visual edits can influence perceived audio dynamics; verify audio consistency after edits.
What should I do if all footage is badly flickering?
If every shot flickers badly, consider re-shooting with stable lighting or switching to footage captured under controlled lighting environments. In some cases, clipping or cropping to reduce exposure areas can help.
Extensive flicker may require re-shooting with stable lighting.
Watch Video
Main Points
- Identify and target flicker sources before editing.
- Harmonize capture frame rates with lighting frequency.
- Use gentle flicker reduction first; refine with frame-specific fixes.
- Test renders across devices to ensure consistency.
