There is nothing more rewarding than creating a silky smooth time-lapse. From slow moving clouds to the gentle growth of a plant, time-lapses produce mesmerizing images that create a sense of amazement. Whether you are looking to add a new dimension to your video project or just doing it for entertainment, I will guide you through the basic camera techniques that will help you achieve stunning time-lapses.
What Causes This Effect?
Time-lapses are designed to emphasize slow moving objects that we would not ordinarily recognize with our eyes. This is achieved by taking a single picture in set intervals over a long duration of time. These pictures are then compressed into a video. The key to achieving fluid looking time-lapses is consistency. Below I have outlined four major guidelines that will help you achieve consistency in your photographs.
1. Use an Intervalometer
An Intervalometer is an instrument used to remotely control your camera. It can be programmed to automatically take pictures at a set number of intervals for any length of time. Using this tool is the easiest way to achieve time-lapses. Visit John Mason’s Site for more information on intervalometers and how to use them.
Intervalometer
2. Use Manual Mode
By eliminating the camera’s ability to adjust itself automatically, each shot will stay consistent – shot after shot. To work in manual mode, switch your camera’s dial to M. You must understand how Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO each affect your image in order to work in manual mode. Visit Cambridge in Colour if you are still unsure about these three settings.
Camera Modes
3. Use Manual Focus
Another way to achieve consistency can be done by using manual focus. Using manual focus will stop the lens from refocusing during the time-lapse. Below I have provided a short demonstration that shows how automatic focus negatively affects a time-lapse.
Notice that the white fence on the left twitches? This is because the lens was automatically picking different focus points, which changes the distance of everything in the frame. For instructions on how to set your camera to manual focus, refer to your camera’s manual.
4. Use a Manual White Balance
White Balance is the camera’s understanding of the light’s color temperature in the scene. Using a manual white balance will prevent the camera from automatically adjusting the light’s color temperature of each photograph. Below is an example of the negative effects caused from using automatic white balance.
Notice how the video has a strobe looking effect? This undesirable effect is called “Flicker”. For instructions on how to set your specific camera to a manual white balance, refer to your camera’s manual.
How Many Pictures Do I Need For My Time-Lapse?
Essentially, a video is just a very fast slideshow. Videos are measured by the frame rate. The frame rate is the amount of pictures that are shown during one second of video. The most frequent frame rate used is 24 frames per second (24 pictures per second).
To figure out how many pictures you need for your time-lapse, use the equation below:
Desired length of your video (in seconds) X the video’s frame rate = the amount of pictures you will need.
How Long Should My Intervals Be Between Photos?
There are no concrete numbers used to determine how long the intervals should be between pictures. However, I have provided you with a chart below that outlines the basic starting points for intervals used by other photographers.
Editing Software
This post is about camera techniques, but I will still recognize the last important step in creating your time-lapse – editing. There are many software programs available on the market today. I have had the smoothest experience working with Adobe Lightroom 4. I will link you to Saun McCormicks’s video on how to assemble your time-lapse within Adobe Lightroom 4.
Six Steps to Achieve a Time-Lapse
Now that you know the basics about creating fluid looking time-lapses, I will provide you will some basic steps you can follow to achieve this effect:
1. Determine the interval time you will use
2. Set your invervalometer
3. Set the camera to Manual Mode
4. Set the camera to Manual Focus
5. Set the camera to Manual White Balance
6. Begin your time-lapse!
Call to Action!
Go out and try a time-lapse! Post in the comments what you will be taking a time-lapse of, and send in your links for all of us to see!
Send your videos to mattplatz@hotmail.com and I will feature them on my blog!
Tune in next week for useful techniques on photographing sports!
Photography for Everyday Amateurs 