Update!
With the increasingly widespread support of the animated WebP format our display software is now effectively unnecessary! In fact, all of the images displayed on this site have now been converted to the animated WebP format.

Animated WebP addresses the key issues we had in mind when we developed the Still-Motion software- mainly, support for 24-bit color and much better compression. Advantages that remain with Still-Motion are the ability for the page designer to easily adjust the frame rate and having an option to reverse through frames to reduce the download size. Even so, animated WebP still has a significant savings in download time and reliability.

The process for creating these unique images remains the same however - all that has changed is the display format. We'll continue to create these unique and attention catching images for clients.

Below is a historical FAQ, preserved for posterity.

What is this?
Still-Motion is software able to display high quality cinemagraphs on almost any device, without the typical limitations of animated gifs such as grainy color and small display size. We also produce and create these kinds of images for innovative, forward thinking clients looking for new ways to communicate.

What is the purpose?
To create an expression that is a middle ground between still images and video. Video tells the story of a concept or product in detail, but requires a significant investment of time on the part of the viewer and is thus not suitable for many venues. Photographs tell a story in an instant, but may not be engaging enough. Still-Motion images bridge the gap by presenting extra information in a brief and intriguing format that catches the viewer's attention. It is well suited for venues that may only hold a viewer's attention for a few seconds.

Where would I use these?
Besides the countless possibilities of the web, there's also commercial advertising uses like digital out of home displays at point of purchase, public displays, transit, and tradeshows. Also editorial publications and apps and then non-commercial uses like art installations and signage.

Can you make some of these for us?
Yes! We are an experienced and professional production team composed of stylists, photographers and software developers with extensive editorial and advertising credits including Volkswagen USA, BBDO, McCann-Erickson, FedEx, Verizon, Texas Monthly, Golf Digest, Men's Health and others large and small. We like to make cool stuff. Contact us about it.

Technical Questions:

Are these gifs?
The images displayed on this site are not gifs. Gifs are an image format from the 1980s, made for 1980s computers. They can display only 256 colors at a time and have rudimentary compression, while modern image formats such as JPG or the various video codecs can display millions of colors at a time and compress much more efficiently.

256 colors are not enough for true photo realism. This is why animated gifs often appear grainy or desaturated. Our display software doesn't have this limitation.

Does this require a browser plug-in or special download?
No. The software is embedded in a webpage and works natively with any modern browser including mobile phones and tablets.

Can these be used in an app?
Yes. Contact us and we'll help you out.

How are they made?
At a higher level, the key is to have a concept that you can tell the story of with a short looping film where only part of it is moving - the focus is on the motion.

Technically speaking, they are produced and filmed as a video is and then edited, graded and VFX'd into their final form in post-production using professional compositing tools.

What about HTML5 video?
As of this writing, HTML5 video is still an uneven user experience. Different web browsers have different quirks in displaying it, and some devices like the iPad and iPhone require the viewer to press a button before it will begin playback. Still-Motion software doesn't have this limitation. UPDATE: As of this writing the iPhone can be set to autoplay inline videos - but not in low power mode.

H.264 format video offers high quality in a small space, so we include it in every delivery package. It might also be a good choice for projects where total control is available such as point of sale, display installations etc.

Can you also deliver animated gifs?
Yes, animated gifs are part of the package. They will have the limitations that gifs have and may not appear the same as the high quality Still-Motion images.

Can I use the software for animations that don't require filming?
Yes, it's quite useful for that. Contact us for software licensing details.