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Killer Timelapse
Preparation
There are a few things you need to plan out before
starting your timelapse in order to get the best
result possible. Firstly, use a tripod. There’s no
getting out of using one unless you want a terrible
outcome. Put your camera in a tree branch if
you need to (I’ve done this before and wouldn’t
recommend it over just using a tripod).
Secondly, either decide how long you want the final
timelapse to be or how long you’re willing to take
the timelapse for. The formula if you’ve decided
the length of the final timelapse duration is: Frame
Rate (Usually 24fps) x duration of timelapse
(in seconds) = Number of photos required. For
example 24(fps) x 8 (seconds) = 192 photos.
The formula if you’ve decided on how long you
want to capture the timelapse for is Capture
Time (in seconds) / Frame Rate (Usually 24fps) =
Duration of the Final Timelapse. For example 200
(seconds) / 24 (fps) = 8.3 Seconds. These formulas
are both based on taking one photo per second,
and obviously will increase capture time or reduce
timelapse duration if the time between each photo
is more than a second.
Finally, make sure your SD cards have enough
storage available, you’re batteries have enough
charge, and you’ve exposed correctly in manual
mode so your settings won’t change throughout
the timelapse. It’s also handy to account for loss of
light in your exposure if you’re shooting a sunset,
or account for overexposure if you’re shooting a
sunrise.
Step 1:
Assess your surroundings and ensure there will
be enough movement in your frame to ensure
the timelapse will be engaging and interesting. In
my scenario, I’ve allowed more space for the sky
because this will be where most of the movement
occurs.
Double-check your composition and your exposure
settings. Now set up your camera’s timelapse
mode either through the inbuilt timelapse mode
or through an intervalometer if your camera
doesn’t have a timelapse function. Use the formula
mentioned before to set your timelapse settings.
To make the motion of your timelapse more
smooth and cinematic, use a slower shutter speed
so that the environment’s movement is blurred.
Don’t stress about your shutter speed because
most of the time this isn’t achievable, and there is a
quick and easy way to do it in post-production.
Step 2
Start the timelapse and sit back, breathe in nature’s
air, and relax. There’s a good chance you’ll have a
long wait, and this is where having a second camera
comes in handy. Usually while my timelapse is
being taken, I’ll continue to walk around with my
other camera and continue to take photos while I
wait.
Step 3
Once the timelapse is finished, you’ll continue
the rest back at home. Import your photos into
lightroom or you’re preferred editing platform.
Use one of the photos from the midpoint of your
timelapse as the photo to make edits on so that
there is minimal bias to lighter or darker portions
of your timelapse if your lighting conditions
changed. Keep your edits to a minimum to ensure
a smooth transition between different lighting
conditions of your timelapse. Copy and apply these
edits to all the photos and export them out. I use
the settings shown in the screenshot.
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