If you ever need to soften or add texture to a sequence, there’s a good chance you’ll use light leaks to do it. Thanks to the advent of instant filters, this accidental film burn effect—which used to be the bane of every analog filmmaker’s—is now widely popular and readily available in the form of overlays.
Summary
Nowadays, filmmakers use light leaks overlays for many reasons. Sometimes it’s to signal that the scene taking place is a memory, premonition, or hallucination. But more often than not, you’ll see light leak overlays being used stylistically, as a way of creating a wistful or vintage vibe within a scene, as seen in the example below.
One of the great things about light leak overlays, in addition to making your videos look 10/10, is that they’re really easy to use. (We explain how further down). One of the not-so-great things about them: they aren’t so easy to find. On the cheap, that is.
Yes, the Internet has tons of light leak overlays just sitting there waiting to be downloaded. But the vast majority of these come with price tags which, when you’re making a lot of projects, can add up.
So, since we know that a lot of you guys and gals don’t have the time to trawl the web looking for quality light leaks, nor the budgets to splash on each individual one you find, we’ve put together this list of the top 25 free light leak overlays just for you. And since we were feeling extra friendly, we’ve also thrown in a tutorial on how to make your very own light leaks in-camera, from scratch. Enjoy!
Part 1: Top 26 Free Light Leak Overlays
1. Free Light Leaks Footage
This bundle contains 10 different light leaks, perfect for overlays or transitions.
Download Free Light Leaks Footage Now
2. Free Rainbow Light Leak Overlay
This stock video of a cool rainbow light leak overlay will work a charm with any slow-motion or cinematic footage.
Free Rainbow Light Leak Overlay Download
3. 5 Free Soft Color Light Leaks
Infuse your video projects with a soft touch of light, especially if you are working on wedding footage or romantic announcement projects.
Free 5 Soft Color Light Leaks Download
4. Free Light Leaks
You can create something new and fresh in your feed with this pack of 17 light leaks and lens flares that will fit into all your different video projects. Simple drag and drop on top of your video and wow your audience!
5. 15 Ultra HD 8K Light Leaks Texture Pack
Lookin’ to add some vintage vibes to your videos? This pack of holographic, light leaks and gradient textures provides the perfect solution.
Free 15 Ultra HD 8K Light Leaks Texture Pack Download
6. Free 20 Light Leaks/Film Burns
These fast flickering light leaks are great for adding a splash of faux glare.
Free 20 Light Leaks/Film Burns Download
7. Free Light Leaks Overlay Pack
After some sweet rainbow light leaks overlays? This pack has your back. It comes with four types: Orange and Purple, Fast Golden, Royal Blue, and Are You Nuts (which is basically a bit of everything).
Free Light Leaks Overlay Pack Download
8. Free Light Leaks Pack
In this pack, you’ll score 15 Full 1080p HD clips of real light leaks.
Free Light Leaks Pack Download
9. Free 30 HD Light Leaks
If you like a bit of diversity in your light leak packs, then this option is for you. Thirty different overlays, each one unique.
Free 30 HD Light Leaks Download
10. Free 15 4K Light Leaks
In this pack of el naturale 4K light leaks you’ll score lens flares, overlays, glows, and more.
Free 15 4K Light Leaks Download
11. 27 Light Leaks and Lens Flares
Bring on the motherload! Here you’ve literally got every light leak option for film. From warm wipes, multicolored sparkles, pastel shades, to colorful strobes, cool washes, and even film burn effects, just to name a few.
Free 27 Light Leaks and Lens Flares Download
12. Free 13 Light Leaks
Super spiffy handmade light leaks courtesy of the good ol’ Panasonic GH5.
13. Real Light Streak Wipes 4K
This simple, soft, light leak comes all on its own, making it a great one for beginners to get down and dirty with.
Free Real Light Streak Wipes 4K Download
14. Free 24 4K Light Leaks
This bundle contains 25 4K lens whacking clips (3840 x 2160 UHD) that’ll blend perfectly with over any promo or slideshow footage.
Free 24 4K Light Leaks Download
15. Free Flares & Leak Lights
Pack of 4 HD lens flares and light leak that can easily be upscaled to 4K if need.
Free Flares & Leak Lights Download
16. Light Leaks and Lens Flares
Pack of 4K light leaks and lens flares + tutorial on how to use them.
Free Light Leaks and Lens Flares Download
17. Free 5 Light Leaks
5 free light leaks and film burn effects available to use with any video software of your choice.
18. Free 9 Light Leaks
In this Vimeo collection by VFX Footage you’ll find 9 kickass light leaks plus a plethora of other effects including shutter flickers, reveals, and color explosions. All free, all easily downloadable.
19. Free SPECTRA 15 4K Light Leaks Pack
If you’re looking for that classic, oh-so-dreamy light leaks effect, look no further than this pack right here.
Free SPECTRA 15 4K Light Leaks Pack Download
20. Free 500+ Professional Light Leaks Collection
10 4K light leaks overlays which adjustable hues and opacity. (Can be scaled to work with HD, 720p, and SD resolutions).
Free 500+ Professional Light Leaks Collection Download
21. Free 36 Rainbow Light Leaks
Need to get some color up in those vids? This pack of 36 rainbow light leak clips should do the trick.
Free 36 Rainbow Light Leaks Download
22. 4K Lens Flare/Bokeh Overlays
MASSIVE collection of natural and not-so-natural 4K and HD light leaks and lens flares.
Free 4K Lens Flare/Bokeh Overlays Download
23. Free Light Leaks 4K
This pack of 25 4K light leaks (3840×2160) delivers all the tones — warm, cool, and rainbow.
24. 5 Light Leak Stock Videos
Included you’ll find: Light Leak Hard Edge, Light Leak Fast Motion, Light Leak Orb, Light Leak Soft Focus, and Purple Light Leak.
Free 5 Light Leak Stock Videos Download
25. Free 50 Light Leaks
26. Free Professional Soft Light Leaks Film Overlay
Bundle of gentle, warm light leaks handmade with nothing more than a glass cup and exposed camera lens.
Free Professional Soft Light Leaks Film Overlay Download
Part 2: How To Use Light Leaks
Now that you know how and where to get your hands on dozens of free light leaks, let’s look at how to use them in Premiere Pro.
- Start with the clip or clips that you want to add light leaks on. Ensure each clip is positioned on your timeline.
- Go to the Media panel and select the light leaks file you want to use and drag and drop it directly over the clip or clips in your timeline.
- You will notice that at first, the light leak clip will completely cover up the clip below. To change this, simply go to the Effects Control panel and click on the Blend Mode drop-down box.
- In the drop-down menu select Screen. This will cause the original clip to reappear with the light leak effect layered over the top.
- From there, you can increase or decrease the Opacity of the light leak by sliding the opacity control slider on the clip up or down.
And that’s pretty much it! See we told you — easy peasy.
Part 3: How To Make Your Own Light Leaks In-Camera
If you’re more of a purist who would prefer to make your own light leaks from scratch, then that’s totally doable as well. All you need is a camera, some light, and to follow these five steps:
- Carefully remove the lens from your camera. (*Doing this will expose your sensor, so make sure you’re in a clean and dry area).
- Turn your camera on and set it to record video.
- Take your lens (ensure the lens cap is on for this bit) and hold it up to your camera mount but without actually re-attaching it.
- As you gently move the lens around the camera mount, you will notice light leaks forming on your camera’s display screen.
- To achieve different light leak effects, experiment with angling your camera towards, away, and perpendicular to different light sources like the sun, ceiling lights, or candles. Alternatively, you can also try having an object (like a branch or flag) or person create subtle movements in front of the camera.
As you’ll quickly realize, the options for creating different types of light leaks are endless and achieving the look you want will take time. The main thing is to be patient, experiment with as many different methods as you can, and try and have fun along the way.
As you can see, light leaks are an easily obtainable effect that doesn’t require you to open up your wallet every time you want to use one in your videos. The Internet has dozens of freebie overlays hiding deep within its belly and thanks to this post, you now know exactly where to find them.
But better yet, why not take the sustainable approach and try creating some on your own. You’ll learn a cool new skill along the way and when you’re done, you’ll be able to give back to the videomaking community by sharing what you’ve made in the comments section below. The team here at Motion Array, plus all you fellow filmmakers, will love you for it!
