Picture it: the rumbling boom of an explosion. The hero is thrown backward. They hit the ground hard — and you’re right there with them as the camera shakes and bounces! Action movies have nailed the camera shake effect to perfection, but you don’t need millions of dollars to simulate an earthquake or car crash in your videos. Adding a video shake effect using software like Premiere Pro and After Effects is easy.
There are also plenty of downloadable presets to help get you started. In this blog, you’ll find 20 of our favorite camera shake effects for Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. Stick around for some hints and tips on how to implement them at the end of the list.
Summary
Part 1: Top 20 video shake effects to download
Premiere Pro
1. Camera Shake
This is a Premiere Pro preset that includes several realistic camera shake movements. Each shake preset lasts around a minute. Drag and drop them into your projects, and you’ll be ready to go.
2. Shake The Camera Or Text
This video shake effect can be applied to specific elements in your video, like text or particles. If you’re looking for a catchy way to introduce your title or grab the audience’s attention, this is it.
Download Shake The Camera Or Text Now
3. Short Shake Kit
The Short Shake Kit is brimming with camera shake presets. RGB, strobe, blinking, flickering, and glitch effects can all be applied to the camera or individual elements, giving you great versatility.
4. Hard Shake Text Transitions
Here’s something a little different — apply the camera shake effect to text in a video to create awesome transitions. This package includes 10 transitions and is ideal for enhancing text animations.
Download Hard Shake Text Transitions Now
5. Shake Text Transitions
Are you still looking for more text variety? Choose from 11 text-shake transitions to breathe vibrancy into your videos. This Premiere Pro preset requires no plugins, so it couldn’t be easier to use.
Download Shake Text Transitions Now
6. Wiggle Presets
With this handy preset, you can skip keyframes and add subtle movement to your text. It’s a simple drag-and-drop wiggle asset.
7. Ultimate Earthquake
Are you simulating an earthquake in your short film? Then this free pack is for you. There are six different types of video shake effects, so let your imagination run wild.
Download Ultimate Earthquake Now
8. Deadpool Handheld Camera Presets
Use these Deadpool presets to instantly give your footage a handheld camera look. The pack uses genuine camera movements rather than digital adjustments, so there’s no more authentic camera shake effect than this one.
Download Deadpool Handheld Camera Presets Now
After Effects
9. Shake Paper Transitions
If none of the exciting video shake effects so far feel quite right for your project, why not try something truly novel? With the look of paper and a shaky appeal that’s hard to beat, this is sure to hit the mark. There’s even a video tutorial included in the pack to help you.
Download Shake Paper Transitions Now
10. Real Camera Shakes
This shake mix includes some that require plugins, but they’re still worth exploring. Diagonal shakes can add a compelling visual impact to on-screen quakes, stomps, and impacts, or be a stylish transition. It’s up to you.
Download Real Camera Shakes Now
11. Shake Transitions
Enjoy 30 shaky transitioning effects in 3 different strengths: standard, advanced, and extreme. Make your next camera shake effect as splashy or subtle as you wish. No plugins are required and a helpful tutorial is included in the pack.
Download Shake Transitions Now
12. Smooth Camera Shake
This preset is easy to apply. Just click and drag, and you’re free to experiment to your heart’s content. It’s also fully customizable to give you exactly the result you need. This understated camera shake effect will give any project an intriguing twist.
Download Smooth Camera Shake Now
13. Shake Zoom Transitions
Do you want to shake and zoom in one? Then these 30 transitions in 6 categories are for you. By combining presets, you can get an infinite number of different transitions, too. Add them to action clips, dynamic social media projects, trailers, and more.
Download Shake Zoom Transitions Now
14. Warp Transitions
Five uniquely designed and dynamically animated transitioning effects are waiting for you. While the warp transition isn’t a traditional camera shake effect, it can be used to create genuine action on-screen. Simply drag and drop onto an adjustment layer and hit render. Impress your audience, whether you’re making a movie or looking to spice up a corporate presentation.
Final Cut Pro
15. Free Shake Transition
We couldn’t leave out all of you Final Cut Pro X video editors, could we? These free shake transitions are super stylish and easy to add to projects. This is a great place to start if you’re new to video shake effects.
Download Free Shake Transition Now
16. ProShake
Do you need a little more than the previous pack offers? Then try 50 presets and stackable effects, which you can combine for dazzling new results. While this pack has a small charge, it offers a ton of content.
17. Wiggle Transitions
You can put a little wiggle and giggle into your videos with these fun transitions. This pack has 12 wiggle expression presets, 6 floating presets, and 5 zoom presets. To get the most out of them, use a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Download Wiggle Transitions Now
18. Shaky Cam
This is probably the most realistic camera shake effect for Final Cut Pro we’ve seen. It’s the perfect way to add a post-production flourish to your next video. If you can only use a tripod for your footage, you can even use this effect to mimic a camera operator.
DaVinci Resolve
19. Real Action Camera Shakes
Here are 12 camera shake effects that can be applied directly to your clip or an adjustment layer. They have a realistic, explosive touch, so are best used where you want a true action-movie feel. Edit your footage like a professional for your next promo video.
Download Real Action Camera Shakes Now
20. Camera Shake Transitions
It’s time to get shaky! This pack has a little of everything: shake, bounce, flash, and camera offset movement. They’re perfect transitions for any cinematic or music video. You can even customize each transition macro, such as the strength of the shaking effect, flash effect, or speed, and take your projects to the next level.
Download Camera Shake Transitions Now
Part 2: Getting started with camera shake effects settings
With many of these effects, you can explore plenty of customization settings to get the perfect results. Here are some tips to help you customize your chosen camera shake effect. First, let’s look at common settings to understand. While not every preset pack will offer all of them, it’s good to know what they do.
Frequency
Frequency is how often the camera effect shakes. A really high frequency could look like a vibration, so use this carefully.
Direction
As you’d expect, direction shows you how the camera moves during the video shake effect. What’s best for each project is highly individual, so consider this carefully.
Motion blur
Motion blur can add realism to your camera shakes, particularly if they happen quickly. Adjust the amount of blur depending on how frequently the camera moves. The goal is 100% natural movement on-screen.
Element selection
Finally, consider which elements within the video you want to apply the shake to. Is it everything? Or just a few essential parts? How should the shake affect particles and text? Take some time to explore different settings and sliders — don’t just settle for the default.
The trick to adding camera shake effects is to stay moderate. Use the video shake effect sparingly to enhance your content, not dominate it. You don’t want it to be distracting. A bit of experimentation and careful thought can add a lot of depth and style to your videos.
