Top 5 Tips for Capturing Time-lapse

 A series of still images of the same frame at regular intervals over a period, and then you create an illusion that makes it seem as if the subject is moving rapidly. It’s that simple. But is it?

Armed with a time-lapse camera, you may decide to replicate the results of professional time-lapse video production services. But if you don’t know how to create the perfect time-lapse, your efforts would be wasted. For example, shaky or blurred images, flickers, or a sudden shift in the focused object could destroy hours of your hard work.

So, here we bring you five tips that would help you practice and perfect the technique of creating stunning time-lapse videos.

Plan it all

From making sure you arrive at your chosen spot on time and carry the necessary equipment, to visualizing the story or scenes you want to capture, plan it all. Don’t forget to determine the number of points of view (POV) you want to capture these shots from. Rather than doing it in a hurry, it always pays to do it in a planned way for better results.

Shoot in Manual and Save in RAW

Turn off the autofocus and shoot in manual modes (not Shutter Priority or Aperture mode) to ensure every image you capture doesn’t have varying exposures. Remember to never shoot in JPG and opt for RAW instead. While JPG images are 8-bit images, RAW works in 14 or 12-bits. Thus, RAW gives you better color depth and gradation between levels.

Go for Multiple POV

2-3-minute time-lapse videos that capture one or two/three subjects from a single point of view would bore your audience. Ideally, shots taken from the same POV should have a reduced length (under 5 seconds) in the final time-lapse video. You should try to shoot your subjects from different angles since filming from more points of view holds the audience’s attention.

Choose the Right Interval Settings

Unless you set your shutter speed relative to what you plan to shoot, your results won’t be close to what professional time-lapse video production services offer. In case you are shooting a surfer, who moves quickly on a wave, your shots should capture the action every 2 seconds. However, when shooting a sunrise or sunset that are much slower events, you can capture a shot every 30 seconds. The key is to set an ideal shutter speed so that you don’t miss the important details of a scene or event.

Focus on Every Aspect

Be it the motion of people, cars, or equipment, or the shift in light and clouds in the background, some believe time-lapse videos are just about movements. Thus, they ignore other important aspects like framing, light, composition, and the subject that needs to be photographed. Make sure you strike a balance between all these aspects to shoot the perfect time-lapse.

Don’t feel disappointed if you are unable to get the desired result the first time. You shouldn’t try to do everything in your very first time-lapse. When using a time-lapse camera for the first time, have patience. Put in your best effort, learn from your mistakes, and keep practicing to hone your skills. And very soon, you would be getting results comparable to professional time-lapse video production services. To know more about how such services can be an asset for your business, reach out to us today!