How can I turn 6,500 timelapse photos into a 30-second video and create a frame-persistence effect?
Asked 10/1/2015
3 views
2 answers
0
I have about 6,500 still images for a timelapse. At 30 fps, using every image would make a video around 216 seconds long, but I want the final result to be 30 seconds or less. If I simply skip frames, some people only appear in a single frame, which looks distracting. Is there PC software or a workflow that can import a numbered image sequence, set the frame rate, and optionally create a blended or "persisting frame" look so motion carries across multiple frames?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
1
This is a video question, let's see what is the future of it.
Backup your photos.
Resample them to a manageable size. I would batch resample them with a bit of sharpening using IrfanView. https://www.irfanview.com/ I would use 1920 px on the base. You can also crop it to a FullHD aspect ratio.
Make a video. I would use Virtual Dub, http://virtualdub.sourceforge.net/ probably using Xvid Codec or something similar https://www.xvid.com/. It takes the first numbered image and loads the rest as an image sequence. Set the framerate and save this as V0.
Some math
6500photos / 30fps = 216seconds
216seconds / 30seconds = you need to reduce it by 7
Then we have to do some decisions.
As you have plenty of images I would make a 60FPS video which would look nicer on youtube for example. But the trick is similar.
On the framerate of virtual dub you can decimate the video by 2, 3 or x number. Let's say you choose to use a 60fps frame rate. You need to decimate the video by 3. Save this version as V1.
Open V0 and drop the very first frame of it. Decimate by 3 again and save as V2.
Repeat: open, drop 2 initial frames and save as V3.
Take a video editor that can use layered videos. One free is Davinci Resolve and another one is HitFilmExpress.
Stack the V1, V2, and V3 with a transparency of let's say 33.3%
Done. You have 3 images stacked on each other on a time-lapse video.
It would be interesting to play with different transparency to somehow simulate different "persistent images" More opacity to V2 and a small one on V1 and V3 or something like that.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. A practical PC workflow is:
- Back up the photos.
- Batch-resize them to a manageable video size first, such as 1920 pixels on the long side / Full HD framing. IrfanView can batch resample and sharpen.
- Import the numbered images as an image sequence into VirtualDub.
- Set your output frame rate and export using a video codec such as Xvid.
For timing: 6,500 images at 30 fps is about 216 seconds, so to get close to 30 seconds you’d need to reduce the sequence by roughly a factor of 7 if you want a standard 30 fps result.
If smoother motion matters more than strict 30 fps, making a 60 fps video may look nicer on platforms like YouTube.
Your desired “persisting frame” or blended-motion effect is essentially frame blending/overlay across adjacent frames. The provided answers don’t name a specific tool for that effect, but the core sequence-to-video workflow above is valid and should get your timelapse assembled cleanly on PC.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI10y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I extend a low-light time-lapse when long exposures and processing delays limit frame count?
Can a Canon Rebel T3i capture 30 fps full-resolution stills, or only video frames?
Why can a 60 Hz monitor show 240 Hz flicker in photos from a rolling-shutter camera?
How can I use off-camera flash with burst shooting for a falling object?
Why do digital cameras still use a mechanical shutter instead of only an electronic shutter?