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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Duplicate your clip onto the track above
Put your clip on the timeline, then hold Alt (Option on a Mac) and drag it straight up onto V2. Holding the key makes a copy instead of moving the original. You now have two identical clips stacked on top of each other, and the one on top will become the glow layer.
Step 2: Add Gaussian Blur to the top clip
Select the clip on V2. Open the Effects panel, search for gaussian blur and drag Gaussian Blur from Video Effects > Blur & Sharpen onto it. Pick the one in the Blur & Sharpen folder, not the Convolution Kernel version.
Faster with BetterFX: skip the Effects panel. Press your BetterFX shortcut, type the first letters of Gaussian Blur and press Enter to apply it to the selected clip. Get BetterFX
Step 3: Set the blend mode to Screen
With the top clip still selected, open Effect Controls. Under Opacity, click the Blend Mode dropdown, which says Normal, and choose Screen. Screen only adds light, so the blurred copy brightens the clip underneath without covering its details. The bright lights now bleed softly into the dark areas around them.
Step 4: Increase the blurriness until it glows
In the Gaussian Blur settings, drag Blurriness up. The video uses a value of around 210, but the right amount depends on your footage and its resolution. Increase it until the glow looks soft and dreamy, but you can still recognise the details of the shot. If the effect feels too strong, lower the Opacity of the top clip a little.
Tips
- Works best on bright highlights. City lights, sunsets, candles and windows give a more obvious glow than flat, evenly lit footage.
- Adjust the opacity for a subtle look. A lower opacity on the top clip gives a gentle haze rather than a heavy glow.
- Nest both clips for reuse. Select both clips, right-click and choose Nest so you can move or trim the finished effect as one clip.
FAQ
How do I add a glow effect in Premiere Pro?
Duplicate the clip, apply Gaussian Blur to the top copy and set its Blend Mode to Screen. Raise the blur until you like the look.
Why does my glow look washed out?
The blurred layer is probably too strong. Lower the Opacity of the top clip or reduce Blurriness so the contrast of the original shot shows through.
Can I use this on text or graphics?
Yes. The same method works for any clip or graphic. Duplicate it, blur the top copy and use Screen. For text outlines, see our guide to the text outline effect in Premiere Pro.
Want ready-made glows you can drop on any clip? Download the free glow presets.
