Timelapse
Timelapse is a type of stopmotion animation. Concatenating still frames to provide motion when viewed consecutively. Timelapse has evolved and different genre have emerged. Here I try to categories the:
Timelapse
A simple static camera taking shots with a set interval. |
Motion-Timelapse
A timelapse with incremental changes in position between shots. Often a pan or slow dolly using a slider. |
Hyperlapse
A timelaspe where the camera position changes through longer distances |
Flow-Motion
This then takes a hyperlaspe to the next level by zooming and flowing from one scene to the next. |
Equipment
Tripod
To stop jumpy footage you will need a stable tripod. In my experience shooting timelapse will show you the difference between a cheap tripod and one made for the job. |
Trigger
A devise to trigger the camera and regulate the interval. This is an basic example but you can get all sorts that are programable by smart phones and the like. |
Motion controlled slider
If you want movement you will need some sort of slider and motor to propel the camera along it. These units often will trigger the camera as well. |
Motion controlled panning
Panning devices can be used on their own or in conjunction with sliders to create more complex movement. |
Settings
Shooting over a period of time may cause lighting conditions to change, sun movement, cloud movement or any number to things. you may be tempted to use one of your cameras auto settings to combat this. Namely Program mode, aperture priority or even shutter priority. However this will often lead to flicker in your footage and detract from the final product.
To combat this the best solution is to shoot in manual mode. If you to reach a point where exposure changes are needed you can make the adjustment in between photos. This will then need smoothing out in post. Which is easily achieved with the right software and of course shooting in RAW.
You will also want to be using manual focusing. This will ensure that at every interval an image is immediately taken and not left searching for focus or jumping focus to a different part of the image.
Shooting over a period of time may cause lighting conditions to change, sun movement, cloud movement or any number to things. you may be tempted to use one of your cameras auto settings to combat this. Namely Program mode, aperture priority or even shutter priority. However this will often lead to flicker in your footage and detract from the final product.
To combat this the best solution is to shoot in manual mode. If you to reach a point where exposure changes are needed you can make the adjustment in between photos. This will then need smoothing out in post. Which is easily achieved with the right software and of course shooting in RAW.
You will also want to be using manual focusing. This will ensure that at every interval an image is immediately taken and not left searching for focus or jumping focus to a different part of the image.
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Interval
The time between each shot will determine how fast you speed up time. The desired effect and speed of what you are shooting will determine what interval length you want. Here are some basic guide lines:
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The duration of the final sequence may also be a deciding factor. If you are working at 25 frames per second, for a 10 second clip you will need 250 frames allowing you to work backwards to find the interval required to capture a certain event.
Shutter Speed
This video looks at how shutter speed effects your timelapse and how you can add a senses of speed and energy to your video by allowing motion blur of moving elements. This example is based on people walking by and the speed of the elements in your frame will dictate the required speed for the desired look.
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Timelapse 101
Day to Night
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How To Make a Hyperlapse
Astronomy timelapse
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James Balog - The Ice Survey
James Balog used timelapse to track the collapse and movement of glaciers to better understand our impact on climate change.
James Balog used timelapse to track the collapse and movement of glaciers to better understand our impact on climate change.
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