What is a Time-lapse?
Time-lapse
is where a camera takes a sequence of images of a subject with
an interval of time between each image. The interval can be anything
from less than a second to a day or more. When the images are
played back the interval of time is speeded up creating shorter
time. Photo right is 8 sample shots of the different stages of
a daffodil opening over a period of 20 hours. You can see the
actual
daffodil
timelapse here...
The time that lapses can vary from less than a second to days
months or years. Examples showing the different time scales you
can try are:
Ice
melting over a period of less than 30 minutes here...
to the cycle of a
tree
photographed over 11 months here...
Equipment needed
Camera: You can take a time-lapse sequence with most cameras
types, digital format has made the process easier due to the large
number of frames taken and the ability to view as a movie with
a computer.
Certain cameras have the ability to take timed shots where you
set the length of time, this is called an intervalometer or an
interval shooter. The benefits are you can leave the camera to
photograph the subject rather than you having to manually take
the shots. You can also buy a remote release for some cameras,
they help as you do not touch the actual camera and so reduce
camera movement. If you do have to press the shutter, to minimise
camera shake I would suggest using the camera's timer.
Tripod: A vital piece of equipment which enables you to
set the camera up in a fixed position. When taking a time-lapse
it is very important that the camera does not move or the effect
well be spoilt. You can pan and zoom the camera, but it should
be done as a slow sequence as part of the time-lapse. In this
sequence of a
Narrowboat
ascending a lock here... I panned and zoomed the camera
incrementally.
Shots
that require a long duration or are in a place where a tripod
would be difficult to use I make a simple base which I can drop
the camera into. This also means your camera is not tied up to
just doing that time-lapse. The shot of a
tree
photographed over 11 months here... was done this way
as positioning a tripod over the 11 months would have been impractical
as on some occasions a shot was taken just 2-3 times a week. It
is important to make sure the base takes the camera with little
movement, this helps to make sure each shot is in the same position.
If you do make a base you need to ensure that nothing can interfere
or damage the camera.
Batteries: Good batteries are essential especially if you are time-lapsing outdoors, it also helps if your camera battery can be changed without removing the camera off the tripod. If the time-lapse is taken indoors it is better if you use the cameras mains charger to avoid draining the battery.
Memory: You need to make sure you have enough space for
the time-lapse, this can be anything from70 to 1000 or more shots.
I would suggest setting the camera on a low jpeg setting and see
how many shots it allows.
