Time lapses are so much fun to create and even at their most basic they can be very impressive.
So here are some pointers to get you started.
First of all you need a camera. duhhh!! It can be a either a DSLR or a point and shoot.
For night time work you will need to be able to take long exposures. Most cameras will take 15 - 30 seconds shots without having to throw a remote timer into the works. I'll come back to that later.
Second, you will need a tripod. This is essential for keeping the camera in exactly the same position for the entire sequence. If the camera moves just a few millimetres it will give the time lapse a jerkiness that isn't very appealing.
It's best to practice in the day time before taking up a night time challenge. A time lapse of clouds crossing the sky is ideal.
So, let's get started.
1. Choose where you will shoot from. If the day is breezy try for a sheltered position so the wind won't buffett your camera strap around and ruin any of the shots. ( tie down the camera strap with velcro if you have to )
2. A nice wide lens is best. I've used the 18-55mm kit lens @ 18mm to good effect. For a point and shoot, don't zoom in.
3. Don't forget to fully charge your batteries!!!
4. Frame your shot to suit. Make sure the Sun won't move into the field of view during the session.
5. Set your camera to Manual Mode. Take some test shots to make sure they won't be over or under exposed.
On a sunny day try ISO 100, F6, exp 1/300.
Experiment with the settings.
6. You will need to be able to time your intervals between your images. If you're shooting clouds scudding, an interval of 10 seconds will probably suit.
With a DSLR you can use a digital remote timer to set the interval and number of shots, so you can just click the Go button and not have to do
anything else until the run is finished.
If you have just a basic shutter release you will need to manually time the interval and press the shutter release button for each exposure.
Some form of count down timer is advised to make sure of the accuracy of your interval between the shots. Most phones have a timer function you can utilise.
If you don't have either of these, you will have to go fully manual. The biggest concern here is camera shake from pressing the shutter release button. To avoid that you will have to set your inbuilt camera timer to 2 seconds. That will give the camera time to settle before taking the photo. Again, some form of count down timer will be needed to accurately time the interval between shots.
7. Capture your sequence. Take around 50 shots for this trial run.
8. Processing.
Download your photos to your computer. You will need to resize them. I use Image Resizer for Windows (freebie download) . Selecting all the photos at once, right click and select Image Resize and Medium.
We will use "Startrails" (another freebie) to create the time lapse.
Simply open the program.
File - Open Images
Build - Video
A window will come up, select the size you want the video to be and the frame rate ( 15 fps is pretty good but experiment to see what suits you)
Choose where you wish the final video to be placed. I generally choose Desktop, so I don't have to dig into folders to find it.
Click ok.
Now minimise the program, because hiding behind it is another small window where you choose if you wish to compress the video to a smaller size. I don't generally use this function. But again, experiment if you wish.
And there you have it, you're first Time Lapse, done.
The photo shows 3 types of shutter releases.
The first is a Remote Control that activate an LCD Timer Battery Grip for a DSLR.
The second is a basic Shutter Release for a DSLR.
The third is an LCD Timer Remote.
Software for Mac
