Animated GIFs for Instagram in Photoshop
A course by Andre RuckerCreative Photographer
A course by Andre Rucker, Creative Photographer
Learn how to photograph, edit, and animate still life photography to create engaging GIFs for social media
Enter the realm of still life animation and develop a new way of looking at the world with creative photographer Andre Rucker. He’s been using the streets and his urban upbringing as inspiration for his playful images for over ten years, collaborating with brands including Anthropologie, Nair, and Myro.
In this course, Andre teaches you how to make fun and colorful GIFs and videos in Photoshop using animated still life images. Learn how to add a creative touch to your content and attract attention on Instagram by animating conventional objects in unconventional settings.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 13 downloads
What Will We Do in This Course? - Materials
4 minutes, 25 seconds
Types of Photograph Animation
3 minutes, 49 seconds
Developing Your Concept
4 minutes, 11 seconds
Sketch It Out
3 minutes, 16 seconds
Preparing to Shoot
2 minutes, 21 seconds
Lighting
2 minutes, 49 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know Andre and the story which inspired his career. Find out how he went from playing video games and skateboarding to becoming a successful creative photographer.
Look at the different types of photo animation you can use to create your GIFs. Explore the differences between stop-motion and post-animation and learn to understand when to use them individually and together. Then develop your concept, plan it out on paper, and prepare for a smooth and successful photoshoot.
Time to start shooting! Discover how to use artificial light to create hard shadows and how to set up a flat surface before shooting your everyday objects and processing your images using Capture One.
Start the post-production process by learning how to cut out each object efficiently and layer them in Photoshop, ready for animation. Andre shares the secrets of the Photoshop timeline and explains the different elements involved in the animation of your images.
Learn what keyframes are and how to use them for professional results before exporting your finished animation ready for social media or your portfolio. To finish the course, Andre shares actionable tips for a career in creative photography.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a GIF by taking everyday objects and transforming them into fun and colorful still life animations.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at anyone interested in expanding their creative photography abilities or learning how to create still life animations with Photoshop.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of photography and Photoshop is recommended.
You will need a digital camera, a tripod, a computer with Photoshop, a lens, and other materials specified by the teacher in this course.
Reviews
- 10 months ago
Loving this class. It's opening my mind to new concepts.
- 1 year ago
¡Brillas, eres mi luz, eres mi guía! ¡Gracias!
- 1 year ago
Recomendo :) O conteúdo entrega o que promete de forma clara e rápida.
- 2 years ago
Very limited explanations. Very limited effort by the creator ex. he did not even make an effort naming his layers properly. Hid took more time talking about himself than on the actual subject.
- 2 years ago
I thank the trainer for this course. I enjoyed it very much and did not feel bored during the course. He gives you the gist and professional and simple work. There is no complexity in the explanation. It was clear and simple. I hope that such a course is available for the advanced and more complex level.
With ten years of experience as a commercial photographer under his belt, he has worked with brands like Anthropologie, Nair, and Myro. Andre is always looking for new skills to add to his photography toolkit, from 3D printing to animation, and he’s passionate about teaching others how to translate their creative energy into the images they create.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- What Will We Do in This Course? - Materials
- U2
Preparation
- Types of Photograph Animation
- Developing Your Concept
- Sketch It Out
- Preparing to Shoot
- U3
Photoshoot
- Lighting
- Setup
- Shooting Individual Pieces
- Processing
- U4
Post-Production: Photoshop
- Cutting Out Objects
- Photoshop Timeline
- Keyframing
- Exporting
- U5
Looking to the Future
- More Layers
- Exporting as a GIF for a Website
- Big Picture Thinking
- FP
Final project
- Animated GIFs for Instagram in Photoshop
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational skills in still life photography, animation, and digital post-production.
You’ll need a camera (even a basic DSLR or mirrorless), a laptop with Photoshop, simple lighting (or natural light), and everyday objects. Optional tools include a tripod, wide-angle lens, and basic props.
You’ll learn how to plan, shoot, and animate still life images, use Photoshop for animation, master lighting setups, and develop creative concepts using everyday objects.
Yes, the course covers both stop motion and post-animation techniques, teaching you how to animate objects frame-by-frame or digitally in Photoshop.
No prior animation or Photoshop experience is required. The course starts with the basics and guides you through each step, making it accessible for complete beginners.
The course shows you how to use household items and simple backgrounds to set up a functional home studio for still life and animation photography.
Yes, you'll learn about various lighting setups, including hard and soft light, using both natural and artificial sources, and how to control shadows and reflections.