> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.magichour.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Image to Video Tool - Magic Hour Docs

> Convert static images into dynamic video content with AI-generated motion.

export const ToolSection = ({type = "image", outputs = [], title = "", productSlug = "", apiSlug = ""}) => <>
    {outputs && outputs.length > 0 && <Tabs>
        {outputs.map((output, idx) => <Tab key={idx} title={`Example Output ${idx + 1}`}>
            <Frame>
              {type === "video" ? <video controls preload="metadata" playsInline className="rounded-lg h-80" src={`${output.src}#t=0.001`} type={`${output.src?.endsWith("mp4") ? 'video/mp4' : "video/webm"}`}>
                </video> : type === "audio" ? <audio controls preload="metadata" className="w-full" src={output.src}>
                  Your browser does not support the audio element.
                </audio> : <img height="320" className="rounded-lg h-80" src={output.src} />}
            </Frame>
          </Tab>)}
      </Tabs>}

    <CardGroup cols={2}>
      <Card title="API Spec" icon="webhook" horizontal href={`/api-reference/${type}-projects/${apiSlug}`}>
        See API details
      </Card>
      <Card title="Product Page" icon="video" horizontal href={`https://magichour.ai/products/${productSlug}`}>
        Learn more about {title}
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>

  </>;

## Overview

Image to Video converts static images into dynamic video content with AI-generated motion and cinematic effects. The API analyzes images and creates realistic movement, camera motion, and environmental effects to bring still photos to life.

<ToolSection
  title="Image to Video"
  productSlug="image-to-video"
  apiSlug="image-to-video"
  type="video"
  outputs={[
{
  src: "https://d28dkohlqf5vwj.cloudfront.net/products/image-to-video/examples/cinematic-2.mp4",
},
{
  src: "https://d28dkohlqf5vwj.cloudfront.net/products/image-to-video/examples/halo.mp4",
},
]}
/>

## How It Works

1. **Provide a source image** - Upload the image you want to animate
2. **Describe the motion** - Use a text prompt to describe how it should move
3. **API generates the video** - AI creates natural motion and effects
4. **Download the result** - Retrieve your animated video

## Use Cases

* **Social media content** - Turn photos into engaging video posts
* **Marketing videos** - Create dynamic content from product photos
* **Storytelling** - Bring static images to life for narratives
* **Real estate** - Animate property photos for virtual tours
* **E-commerce** - Dynamic product showcases

## Best Practices

### Source Image Quality

<Tip>
  **Use high-quality images with clear subjects** - Better images produce smoother, more realistic
  animations.
</Tip>

* **High resolution** - At least 720p for best results
* **Clear subjects** - Well-defined elements animate better
* **Good composition** - Leave "room" for motion in your frame
* **Appropriate content** - Images with implied motion work well

### Motion Prompts

Describe the motion you want to see:

**✅ Good prompts:**

* "Camera slowly panning right, leaves gently swaying in wind"
* "Zoom in on the subject with slight parallax effect"
* "Water rippling, clouds moving slowly across the sky"
* "Person walking forward, hair blowing in breeze"

**❌ Avoid:**

* No motion description: "A beautiful landscape"
* Impossible physics: "Person flying through wall"
* Conflicting motions: "Zoom in and zoom out simultaneously"

### Image Types That Animate Well

| Image Type     | Animation Potential | Tips                                |
| :------------- | :------------------ | :---------------------------------- |
| Landscapes     | Excellent           | Add wind, water, cloud motion       |
| Portraits      | Good                | Subtle movements, blinks, breathing |
| Product photos | Moderate            | Camera motion, lighting effects     |
| Abstract art   | Excellent           | Morphing, flowing effects           |

## Code Examples

### Basic Image to Video

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  from magic_hour import Client
  import os

  client = Client(token=os.getenv("MAGIC_HOUR_API_KEY"))

  result = client.v1.image_to_video.generate(
      assets={
          "image_file_path": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/runshouse/Sample_Assets/main/sunset.jpg"
      },
      style={
          "prompt":  "Sunset landscape with subtle parallax effect while panning, clouds moving cinematic depth"
      },
      end_seconds=5,
      name="Sunset Animation",
      resolution="480p",
      wait_for_completion=True,
      download_outputs=True,
      download_directory="."
  )

  if result.status == "complete":
      print(f"✅ Video complete!")
      print(f"Downloaded to: {result.downloaded_paths}")
      print(f"Credits charged: {result.credits_charged}")
  else:
      print(f"❌ Job failed with status: {result.status}")
      if hasattr(result, 'error_message'):
          print(f"Error: {result.error_message}")
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  import { Client } from "magic-hour";

  const client = new Client({ token: process.env.MAGIC_HOUR_API_KEY });

  const result = await client.v1.imageToVideo.generate({
    assets: {
      imageFilePath: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/runshouse/Sample_Assets/main/sunset.jpg",
    },
    style: {
      prompt: "Sunset landscape with subtle camera movement, gentle parallax effect, cinematic depth",
    },
    endSeconds: 1.5,
    name: "Sunset Animation",
    resolution: "480p",
    waitForCompletion: true,
    downloadOutputs: true,
    downloadDirectory: ".",
  });

  console.log(`✅ Video complete!`);
  console.log(`Status: ${result.status}`);
  console.log(`Downloaded to: ${result.downloadedPaths}`);
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Pricing

Image to Video uses credits based on video duration:

| Duration   | Approximate Credits |
| :--------- | :------------------ |
| 5 seconds  | \~150 credits       |
| 10 seconds | \~300 credits       |

Higher resolutions cost more per second.

## Resolution Limits

Image to Video has a maximum resolution of **1080p** (1920x1080 or 1080x1920).

<Tip>
  **Try this in our Google Colab Cookbook:** [Run this API with sample
  code](https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1NTHL_lr_s-qBJ-mSecSXPzRLi9_V5JiU?usp=sharing). Just
  add your API key.
</Tip>

## API Reference

<Card title="Image to Video API Reference" icon="webhook" href="/api-reference/video-projects/image-to-video">
  View full API specification
</Card>

## Related Tools

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Text to Video" icon="text" href="/tools/video/text-to-video">
    Generate videos from text descriptions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Animation" icon="film" href="/tools/video/animation">
    Create animated videos with motion effects
  </Card>
</CardGroup>