Camera shake using FFMPEG

shaker.sh

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
crop=iw-24:ih-24:
12+12*(random(1)-0.5):
12+12*(random(2)-0.5),
scale=iw:ih" output.mp4

In that “realistic default” command, amplitude is controlled by just one number.

Here’s the command again, annotated:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
crop=iw-24:ih-24:
12+12*(random(1)-0.5):
12+12*(random(2)-0.5),
scale=iw:ih" output.mp4

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The one number that matters

This part appears twice (X and Y):

12*(random(...) - 0.5)

👉 That 12 is the shake amplitude (in pixels)

• It defines how far the frame can move from center

• Actual motion range is roughly:

  ± (amplitude / 2) pixels
  

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How to change the shake strength

🔹 Subtle, barely noticeable (tripod-like handheld)

6*(random(1)-0.5)

Full command:

crop=iw-24:ih-24:
12+6*(random(1)-0.5):
12+6*(random(2)-0.5)

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🔹 Natural handheld (phone / DSLR)

12*(random(1)-0.5)

(this is your current setting)

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🔹 Strong handheld / action cam

24*(random(1)-0.5)

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🔹 Violent shake (impact, chaos)

48*(random(1)-0.5)

⚠️ At this point, you must increase the crop margin (next section).

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Important: match crop margin to amplitude

You also need enough padding so the frame doesn’t hit edges.

Rule of thumb

crop margin ≥ amplitude

So if you use:

24*(random()-0.5)

Then change:

crop=iw-48:ih-48

Example (strong shake, safe margins)

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
crop=iw-48:ih-48:
24+24*(random(1)-0.5):
24+24*(random(2)-0.5),
scale=iw:ih" output.mp4

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Cheat sheet

Look | Amplitude | Crop margin -- | -- | -- Ultra subtle | 4–6 | 12–16 Natural handheld | 10–14 | 24 Strong handheld | 20–28 | 48 Impact / chaos | 40–60 | 80–120

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Bonus: make shake “heavier” (less jittery)

If you want weight instead of jitter, lower randomness per second:

random(floor(t*10))

instead of:

random(1)

Example:

12*(random(floor(t*10))-0.5)

This updates shake ~10 times per second, which feels more like a real camera.