The purpose of this article is to whet your appetite for creating a time lapse photo movie. It all starts with using your DSLR in an unconventional way. While I won’t go into an explanation of exactly how to do it (umm, mainly because I’ve never done one and am far from being able to personally elaborate on best practices) I have provided a video that is hopefully intriguing enough to pique your interest and prompt you to ponder how time lapse photography is done. I hope you’ll then go on to read the tutorial on how to make a time lapse from Timothy Allen (a guy who’s totally qualified to explain what’s going on).

This blog, WIDE OPEN, is generally devoted to topics that beginners will want to read. But my sense is that while beginners are not necessarily going to run out and attempt a time lapse project, they’re still interested in it and want to learn about it. So that was my thinking. Let me know your reaction.

Time lapse photography is a lot like stop motion [film] photography, like the old ’60s TV show, Davey & Goliath.

The big difference is that now we are using a still shot camera (not film). And we have “prosumer” grade DSLRs – more computing power baked into our camera’s firmware than the computers that helped chart the Apollo 11 mission to The Moon.

With some [...a lot of...] blood, sweat, and tears you too can venture out and create a cool time lapse video.

The following time lapse movie is a stunning example of what can now be done outside of Hollywood. It was created by Tom from Timescapes.org. Keep in mind that each 10 seconds of a time lapse movie typically requires starting with hundreds of photographs.

How did they do this?

Timothy Allen is a photographer for the BBC’s EARTH series and has posted an easy-to-read article on how to create a time lapse movie. It’s a great article and will give you a sense of what you’re in store for if you fancy going out and doing a time lapse.

Here’s another one – a time lapse of the Milky Way, as seen from Joshua Tree in California…

Joshua Tree Under the Milky Way

Some of the stuff you’ll need:

• DSLR camera
• Patience
• Tripod and something to weight it down (to reduce movement)
• Wide angle lens (preferred)
• Use manual mode on your camera
• Remote shutter trigger
• Patience
• Use a camera that has the ability to program time lapse (The Nikon D300S has this) or use a tethered sync accessory.
• Maybe a telescope motor
• Patience
• Maybe a generator
• Plenty of battery life in your camera battery
• Video making software
• Patience
• A giant memory card
• Oh yeah, something interesting to photograph in time lapse (fast forward)
• Maybe a ND filter if you’re going to photograph a transition from night to day
• Soundtrack idea
• And I’m probably leaving off a few dozen other things!

Related Links:

Timescapes Blog

Tom Lowe on Vimeo

Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo