Timelapse photography - what do I need to know?
Discussion
Whilst scouting the Google Play market recently I came across a time lapse app (Lapse It Pro) which after some messing about with I've quite taken to - the camera on my Xperia Z1 is reasonably good and I'm quite happy with some of the results. I've had the vague idea to stick the Z1 on a tripod with a Joby smartphone mount to capture a time lapse whilst I'm taking photo's with the SLR.
But I'm also considering getting an intervalometer remote for my SLR as well and having a play with that. Hoping that trying to get to grips with a different style of shooting will convince me to get out a bit more often.
Anything I need to consider or read up on for either approach?
But I'm also considering getting an intervalometer remote for my SLR as well and having a play with that. Hoping that trying to get to grips with a different style of shooting will convince me to get out a bit more often.
Anything I need to consider or read up on for either approach?
I do it from time to time.
Here's a short one: http://stevecarter.com/random/clouds.mov
D800 - Photo every 10 secs for 2 hours... then used the free GoPro software (which is really good for time-lapse). Sped up in the software to smooth it out.
Manual everything is the way to go or the camera will screw you. I usually use the in camera intervalometer, but this was on an external one that rotates. Don't face the sun!
This one was 24 hours - one pic every 45 secs http://www.stevecarter.com/summer-solstice.mpg
Here's a short one: http://stevecarter.com/random/clouds.mov
D800 - Photo every 10 secs for 2 hours... then used the free GoPro software (which is really good for time-lapse). Sped up in the software to smooth it out.
Manual everything is the way to go or the camera will screw you. I usually use the in camera intervalometer, but this was on an external one that rotates. Don't face the sun!
This one was 24 hours - one pic every 45 secs http://www.stevecarter.com/summer-solstice.mpg
Don't under estimate how quickly your memory card will fill up and your battery will drain. Or how long it will take to process the timelapse.
When it comes to setting the interval I prefer to work backwards from roughly how long I want the clip to last 30 seconds to 5 minutes etc and how long I will be filming for and use those to work out roughly what interval I need to use.
When it comes to setting the interval I prefer to work backwards from roughly how long I want the clip to last 30 seconds to 5 minutes etc and how long I will be filming for and use those to work out roughly what interval I need to use.
GetCarter said:
I do it from time to time.
Here's a short one: http://stevecarter.com/random/clouds.mov
D800 - Photo every 10 secs for 2 hours... then used the free GoPro software (which is really good for time-lapse). Sped up in the software to smooth it out.
Manual everything is the way to go or the camera will screw you. I usually use the in camera intervalometer, but this was on an external one that rotates. Don't face the sun!
This one was 24 hours - one pic every 45 secs http://www.stevecarter.com/summer-solstice.mpg
Couldn't get the second one to play - maybe too big?Here's a short one: http://stevecarter.com/random/clouds.mov
D800 - Photo every 10 secs for 2 hours... then used the free GoPro software (which is really good for time-lapse). Sped up in the software to smooth it out.
Manual everything is the way to go or the camera will screw you. I usually use the in camera intervalometer, but this was on an external one that rotates. Don't face the sun!
This one was 24 hours - one pic every 45 secs http://www.stevecarter.com/summer-solstice.mpg
On the first, what equipment did you use to make it pan etc? Or was that all in the processing?
No idea why that mpg won't play. It did when I posted. hmmmmm ETA... now works on my Mac but not PC. Strange.
The first one was taken using one of these: http://petapixel.com/2012/07/18/astro-a-time-lapse... (I invested in a Kickstarter)
The first one was taken using one of these: http://petapixel.com/2012/07/18/astro-a-time-lapse... (I invested in a Kickstarter)
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th July 11:23
GetCarter said:
No idea why that mpg won't play. It did when I posted. hmmmmm ETA... now works on my Mac but not PC. Strange.
The first one was taken using one of these: http://petapixel.com/2012/07/18/astro-a-time-lapse... (I invested in a Kickstarter)
Ah I see - that acts as the trigger then also.The first one was taken using one of these: http://petapixel.com/2012/07/18/astro-a-time-lapse... (I invested in a Kickstarter)
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th July 11:23
Is it possible to download that larger one? Still not working here.
I guess the next bit to work out is powering the camera for a considerable period of time.
The Moose said:
Ah I see - that acts as the trigger then also.
Is it possible to download that larger one? Still not working here.
I guess the next bit to work out is powering the camera for a considerable period of time.
Can you right click/save as from this? If not, let me know and I'll send you a PM, when I'm sure you'll be able to. http://www.stevecarter.com/summer-solstice.mpgIs it possible to download that larger one? Still not working here.
I guess the next bit to work out is powering the camera for a considerable period of time.
When I did my 24 hour, I got up every 3 hours during the night to change the battery. PITA - luckilly (as you'll see), it was never really dark.
ETA sent pm, and also to myself. Right click/save as works here.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th July 13:30
If you're a Canon person, Canon themselves provide a free app that will drive your camera from a laptop which is pretty powerful.
When we built our house, I used a cheap (£40) Powershot bought on Ebay and a version of GBTimelapse which could give fine-grained control over shots and save them all to disk so I could do a shot every 10 seconds for two weeks. The results are here: http://youtu.be/bDw6Eh8wa0Q
I managed to find a security camera housing on ebay that was the right size to fit the camera, so it could stay outdoors unattended. A mains power supply kept the whole lot running without batteries.
Once you've got the images, if you're outdoors you may well need to run de-flicker software over the results as natural changes in daylight can cause a strobe effect that makes the films hard to watch.
When we built our house, I used a cheap (£40) Powershot bought on Ebay and a version of GBTimelapse which could give fine-grained control over shots and save them all to disk so I could do a shot every 10 seconds for two weeks. The results are here: http://youtu.be/bDw6Eh8wa0Q
I managed to find a security camera housing on ebay that was the right size to fit the camera, so it could stay outdoors unattended. A mains power supply kept the whole lot running without batteries.
Once you've got the images, if you're outdoors you may well need to run de-flicker software over the results as natural changes in daylight can cause a strobe effect that makes the films hard to watch.
GetCarter said:
The Moose said:
Ah I see - that acts as the trigger then also.
Is it possible to download that larger one? Still not working here.
I guess the next bit to work out is powering the camera for a considerable period of time.
Can you right click/save as from this? If not, let me know and I'll send you a PM, when I'm sure you'll be able to. http://www.stevecarter.com/summer-solstice.mpgIs it possible to download that larger one? Still not working here.
I guess the next bit to work out is powering the camera for a considerable period of time.
When I did my 24 hour, I got up every 3 hours during the night to change the battery. PITA - luckilly (as you'll see), it was never really dark.
ETA sent pm, and also to myself. Right click/save as works here.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th July 13:30
I love the way the clouds 'bump' into the mountain just off centre to the right of middle of the shot.
I was going to ask about the night time/darker images but I see what you mean - didn't get too dark. I assume manual is the only real way to roll with timelapse.
Might invest in one of these as I can't be arsed to keep changing battery, especially through the night. Then all I need to worry about is the memory card...
Yea, mostly manual, esp focus or it'll faff about. Setting f number to get depth of field, and letting shutter sort out the timing is the best way I've found. Auto WB if you are doing a long one, or manual for a short sunny day.
Any dust on the sensor will show up, so keep it around the f9 - f11 mark if you can, to stop them being visible.
Any dust on the sensor will show up, so keep it around the f9 - f11 mark if you can, to stop them being visible.
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th July 14:51
Cheers for the tips. Did the first one I've been reasonably happy with last night on my phone - nothing imaginative, just a tree and sky with the clouds rolling overhead whilst the sun set.
Tuna said:
Once you've got the images, if you're outdoors you may well need to run de-flicker software over the results as natural changes in daylight can cause a strobe effect that makes the films hard to watch.
Exactly what happened. I figured this was down to me foolishly leaving it on auto white balance though, I'm going to leave it on one of the presets next time I try.Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff