
Generally speaking, a light leak overlay can be used to add dimension to your image and engage audiences with eye-catching movement and shimmer. Whether you seek flashes of light or a subtle glow, our AI can make your vision a reality.


With Runway, it’s never been simpler to manipulate light leaks in order to achieve your desired aesthetic and surpass the unreliability of traditional film light leaks. With a light leak overlay tool at your disposal, you can determine where and when to apply these entrancing glitches-adding a warm, comforting dimension to make your work an instant classic or cleverly distorting a subject to imply a shift in character or narrative. (Unless, of course, you’re working with an intelligent editing suite like Runway.) If you’re working with a digital camera, you can harness the impact of natural light leaks (without any of the unpredictability or overblown distortions) in post-production, thanks to light leak overlays. Although light leaks in the film are technical glitches-the unintentional results of an error in the filming process-these “accidents” can sometimes bring a certain otherworldly style and vintage ambiance that can be difficult to replicate. Even a pinprick of light through a camera’s interior can result in anomalies: flares, flashes, streaks, halos.

Light leaks traditionally occur with film cameras when stray light penetrates the light-tight chambers of the camera and exposes the film. A light leak overlay is a digital, flexible filter that mimics a natural light leak, or unintentional over-exposure, for artistic purposes.
