How to Shoot Time Lapses

Some tips how to do timelapse photography.

How to Speed Up Footage:
In Final Cut X, go to the ‘retime’ menu next to the effects panel, and choose ‘custom’. Then type in a percentage, 200% = 2x speed.
In Adobe Premiere, right-click over a selected clip and choose Speed/Duration.

Change Duration to 1 Frame:
In Final Cut X, drop all of the images into the timeline, select all then Ctrl-D and type '1', then hit enter.
In Adobe Premiere, Choose File, Import, and click the first image in your image sequence. Click the Image Sequence check box at the bottom of the Import dialog box, then click the Import button.

Host and Creator - Simon Cade

(I earn a commission from purchases ^^)

[MAZELEE]

I need to know what apples you use to make my timelapses better.

[droffelcash]

What's great about Simon's videos is that they are not just informative, but also beautiful to watch.

[JaxsonNZ]

ideas:

Premiere has a frame blend option, which simulates a longer shutter speed.  I'm sure other editors will have something similar.  In Premiere, right click on the video track on the timeline, select Frame Blend from the menu, done.  This simulates motion blur, and removes the staccato effect from timelapses shot without real motion blur/longer shutter speed photos etc.

Pentax has an intervalometer built in.  I can't believe others don't include such a simple bit of software.  It's half written if you have a 2s shutter timer included already for example.

Watch for exposure flickering (example at say 1:22 in this video).  This often happens when you use your camera to set the lens aperture.  One way around this is to use a lens with a manual aperture ring, which ensure the exact same aperture is used every time, by physically fixing it in the same position.

If you have something like lightroom, you can edit the photos there, and then batch resize them down to the size they'll be used in your video editor.  Reason I mention this is because Full HD video is only roughly roughly 2MP in size, so dropping in full size DSLR photos may be a bit much for your software/system to handle.  You can crop to aspect ratio 16x9 first and resize to 1920x1080, or leave a bit larger, so you have some options to scale the images over time in your editor.  This creates the illusion of being on a slider, as you get motion across the photos, whilst the timelapse is playing.  It's a nice trick for in post.

I know this is DSLR guide, but my favourite timelapse option now is the GoPro.  The Hero 4 line up even includes a nightlapse mode, which works incredibly well.  I was surprised and really impressed with this, and being weather proof you can clip it somewhere and forget as such.  Well until the battery runs out.

Oh and an egg time works well if you want a right to left shot, that travels for 1 hour max.  After that, the Syrp products are definitely awesome, fully agree.

[TheAudioConnect]

Best how to on time lapse, i've ever seen. I actually went out yesterday afternoon to record a time lapse of the sun going down but I wish i would have watched this first lol. I can tell you put a lot of time, effort and attention to important details to put these videos together so that they get the point across in under 10 minutes and I just wanna say I really appreciate that! A lot of us have busy lives and don't have much time to spend watching videos on youtube but you consistently and effectively teach people what they need to know in a short amount of time so they can immediately start applying these tips. Most people don't realize it but it is NOT easy to do that as content creator and it takes a lot of practice and mastery to be able to do it each and every time. Definitely gonna subscribe, thanks man!

[damiesdiary]

Your explanation of shooting time-lapse is the best I have found on YouTube. Your tips are so helpful, Thank you.

[GoalGuys]

Your videos are always really helpful man. I love the look with the low shutter speed. definitely trying that out!

[reallysmallfrisby]

The bit with the apple at the end was adorable and made me smile. Great video! I've been thinking about trying time lapses for a little while so this is the perfect inspiration!

[iamkilos]

You've been a big help for me when it comes to learning about filmmaking you have no idea how grateful I am for your channel.

[BRENDANGOSS]

I like the positive attitude towards people stopping and asking what you're doing. I normally get annoyed with that! lol

[BirdSpyAustralia]

I was out today filming and tried a bit of time lapse. It looked alright so I might use the technique in future videos.

[funkeu]

This is my 3rd video I've watched...subscribed! Thanks for your video shooting tips!

[ElliaIvyMcLeod]

Some of the best educational videos on YouTube, thanks.

[danjoto]

I am so happy to see the great, traditional apple at the end again! Keep that apple forever! Please.

[NomadicInThePhilippines]

I love doin timelapses and long exposure ones at night. GH4 makes it so easy

[AlecGugel]

Jeez this channel is almost at 200k subs! Keep it up Simon, you're killing the game!

[WillChidlow]

I love shooting timelapse, so nice to chill while it's happening!

[socbenny]

Hi Simon what apples do you use? Thanks

[LuluBejot]

Great ! thank you so much ! Your Channel help me a lot for my video ! I love to have someone that can inspire and teach me ;) . I huge thank you

[keeganhall]

Thank you so much for this! I'm currently working on a project for a film festival through school, and I will be using time-lapse to show the character is not affected by time. This video helped me greatly. Again, thank you!

[HadyElcott]

The best explanation to time lapses ever! And I've seen a bunch of them believe me!
Thanks Sam ✌🏻️