Transition from black to visible image through continuous brightness increase over 12–48 frames (0.5–2 seconds at 24fps).
Definition
A transition from a black screen or complete darkness to a visible image by continuously increasing brightness. A fade in typically occurs over a duration of 12-48 frames (0.5-2 seconds at 24fps), starting at 0% image brightness and increasing linearly or exponentially to 100%. The term originated in analog film technology through the mechanical opening of a variable aperture in front of the camera lens.
Technical Details
In digital systems, a fade in is achieved through mathematical interpolation of RGB values, with gamma-corrected curves (usually Gamma 2.2 or 2.4) ensuring more natural transitions. Standard fade-in times are 24 frames (1 second), 36 frames (1.5 seconds), or 48 frames (2 seconds) for 24fps material. In Avid Media Composer, this is calculated via dissolve effects with black slugs, while DaVinci Resolve offers dedicated fade tools with precise frame specifications. HDR material requires adjusted curves for the Rec.2020/PQ color space.
History & Development
The first documented fade in appeared in 1896 in Georges Méliès' "Escamotage d'une dame chez Robert-Houdin" through manual lens covering. D.W. Griffith established mechanical iris diaphragms as a standard transition technique from 1909 onwards. In 1920, the Bell & Howell Company developed the first motorized fade mechanism for cameras. Optical printers of the 1930s enabled precise fades in post-production. Electronic video mixers introduced stepless faders from 1965. Digital editing systems like Lightworks integrated mathematically exact fade algorithms from 1989.
Practical Use in Film
Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) uses 3-second fades in between sequences for epic dimensionality. Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978) employs 96-frame fades from black for poetic transitions. Modern blockbusters use 12-frame fades after studio logos (Marvel: exactly 0.5 seconds). Documentaries often utilize 60-frame fades for smooth chapter transitions. For HDR material, fades require special luma curves, as linear RGB interpolation causes visible color shifts.
Comparison & Alternatives
Fade Out operates conversely, from 100% to 0% brightness. Cross Dissolve combines the fade in and fade out of two clips with overlapping alpha values. Hard Cuts occur without transition in a single frame. Soft Cuts use 1-3 frame dissolves for imperceptible transitions. Push/Wipe effects replace fades for dynamic transitions. Modern color grading software offers power window-based selective fades for parts of an image rather than entire frames.