What is time-lapse?
Timelapse combines the classic photography: the ability to stop time; with the potentials of the motion picture.
The basic principle of motion picture is to show – up to 30 still images per second, so many that the eye perceives it as a continuous flow; “Moving picture” or what we call “Film”.
By allowing a still camera to expose between fixed time intervals, we create a new dimension called time-lapse.
The principle of time-lapse is that what you capture with the camera must be “changing”. Not everything needs to be time-lapsed.
Sunset and sunrise, the moving lights from vehicles in the dark, starry sky etc. are good examples of changing lights. Clouds, shadows, tides, melting ice and the construction of buildings are examples of other things that you can capture over a longer period.
By moving the camera between exposures, you can add another dimension. This can be carried out by two different techniques. Motion Control or Hyperlapse. Motion control is an electronically programmable camera head and sled on a rail. It allows the user to determine how the camera will move over time. Hyperlapse is a manual approach, it means to physically move the camera between exposures.
The advantage of motion control is that it is predictable, but the downside is that operating distance is limited. Hyperlapse has no limitations on distances, but because the movement is made manually, it is more difficult to master.
The result of the images that are captured with time-lapse techniques is limited only to the size of the camera’s censors. Today there are cameras with 100-megapixel censors! It is perhaps a little excessive. 4K and also 8K are (around 4,000 and 8,000 pixels in width) are two standards that we will see more of in the future.
Time-lapse combines the classic photography: the ability to stop time; with the potentials of the motion picture.
Exemples of time-lapses
Advertising & Fiction
Use time-lapse images as establishing shots. It works equally well for feature films, drama, television or commercials. Time-lapse footage is also excellent to use for transporting viewers into the future. Dusk, sunset or sunrise. One can even make a time-lapse between seasons to visualize that time has passed.
Editorial & Reports
Time-lapse can be used in a documentary or reportage. Here you can – freer than in feature films, go outside the box and viewers’ expectations. Embellish documentary or reportage with stock footage from the surroundings or show how the crowds gather and how they disperse. The first documentary film that frequently used the time-lapse footage was Koyaanisqatsi (1982).
Events & Exhibitions
Event? Take the opportunity to mix up the documentation of the event with time-lapse footage. Example: Guests mingle, roving exhibition visitors, the erection of marquees. Take advantage of the opportunity to document long periods. Documentation of the construction of buildings. Permanent or temporary. Show customers how you work and document for future projects, etc.
What can timelapse.se offer you?
Advanced time-lapse techniques
Hyperlapse: I master the technique called hyperlapse. That is to move long distances, all while time-lapse capturing is in progress.
Motion control: I have the equipment to do repetitive tracking shots at different times or for extended periods.
Day to night-time lapse: I mastered the technique that makes it possible to adjust the exposure while capturing, without visible changes in the end result.
I do post production techniques, like motion tracking, stabilization or digital camera movements that shifts the focus of the image to various interesting areas.