Ultimate tips for Time Lapse Photography

Time-lapse photography is a great way to capture time and show events as they would occur in weeks, months, or even years, in a few minutes. The basic principle behind time-lapse photography is capturing images in a specified time interval and making a video of those combined images. Time-lapse photography is a way to capture long time intervals into small ones. Capturing a blooming flower or the sky changing in different seasons is done with the help of this technique.

Most important equipment

• A DSLR
• Tripod
• Intervalometers
• ND Filters

In time lapse photography, the equipment that you use is different. In addition to the regular photography equipment, like a DSLR camera, you’ll need a sturdy tripod. Next is an intervalometer. An important part of time-lapse photography, an intervalometer is an automated camera trigger that is programmable and snaps pictures at precise intervals. Some cameras come with in-built intervalometers. Other than this equipment, you’ll need ND (Neutral Density) filters to control light density and capture motion blur in moving objects in the video.

Tips to keep in mind while doing time lapse photography:

• A sturdy tripod: The camera has to be kept still for a long duration for time-lapse photography; so having a strong and stable tripod is paramount. When you buy a tripod, make sure you choose an easily portable and metal-based tripod. While setting up, you can add weight to the tripod’s central stick or place small weights on the camera.
• Shooting in low resolution: Shoot in low resolution to save battery. Since the time frame is long, reduce the resolution as much as possible to save space.

• Motion and composure: When you are shooting a time-lapse video, you need to make sure of the movement of your subject and the composure of your shot.

• Manual mode: Shooting in manual mode is the best option. When you shoot for a long period, the light changes multiple times. The camera would try to adjust itself according to the light to get a true picture. Shooting in manual mode for everything ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance will avoid it.

• Save battery: Activate auto focus before you start shooting, and then change it to manual focus. This will prevent the camera from auto focusing after every shot and save battery.

• Music for your video: Keep in mind the music for your video. Choose something that goes with your subject and is pleasing to the ears.

• Google maps: Avoid getting lost in your city or outdoor adventure by downloading and keeping maps in your phone.

• Supplies: If you’re going to camp out, carry supplies. A set of warm clothes for the night, a flashlight, an iPod filled with music and movies, and a power bank are very important.

The video making process:

The first step is to choose your subject and the scene you want to shoot. It can be anything at all, from the sunrise or sunset to the melting ice. After you’ve done that, you need to get the details right. You need to set up the equipment and see what fits where and how. Keep in mind the length of the event, the batteries required, the sturdy tripod, the modes, etc. Read the tips carefully and plan everything in detail. Shoot your still photos and if you want later you can also do touch ups in Photoshop before compiling in the video.

Time-lapse photography is almost like time travel. Manipulating time and reducing it to a few minutes is a fun photography technique. It lets you see the natural progression of time, while not having to wait through the actual length of it. Do try time-lapse photography and let us know your experience.