The Art of Timelapse and Hyperlapse Photography
Ian Norman, Photographer / Creator of Lonely Speck
The Art of Timelapse and Hyperlapse Photography
Ian Norman, Photographer / Creator of Lonely Speck
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1. Introduction
1:30 -
2. Picking your Timelapse Subject
1:23 -
3. Timelapse Equipment Introduction
2:44 -
4. Setting Up and Shooting your Timelapse
4:38 -
5. Batch Processing Timelapse Frames in Adobe Lightroom
12:16 -
6. Compiling the Timelapse
9:38 -
7. Closing Remarks and Adding Motion in Timelapse II
4:06 -
8. Motion Types and Anchor Points
2:12 -
9. Hyperlapse Shooting Techniques
2:47 -
10. Stabilizing with YouTube
2:50 -
11. Advanced Stabilizing in Adobe After Effects
8:22 -
12. Camera Preparation and Setup
3:16 -
13. Shooting a Holy Grail Timelapse Sequence
2:05 -
14. Exposure Leveling in Lightroom and LRTimelapse
5:43 -
15. Color Grading with Lightroom and LRTimelapse
6:51 -
16. Explore Photo Classes on Skillshare
0:36
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About This Class
Digital photography has become a daily part of our lives. We consume and create photography almost constantly in our daily travels, advertising and social media. A natural stepping stone to still photography is timelapse, the art of capturing change over time. Only since the advent of modern digital cameras has timelapse photography become so accessible.
In this 70 minute class, you’ll start by learning how to create your own timelapse videos using as little as a basic digital camera and a tripod. From there you will level up to create a hyperlapse, a specialized timelapse with camera motion over large distances. As a final lesson, Ian goes through the challenging yet attainable “Holy Grail” of timelapse: the seamless transitions from day to night.
Go on location with Ian in Berlin and Norway to learn his exact techniques, tips, and tricks behind capturing breathtaking timelapses.
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What You'll Learn
- Introduction. Time-lapse photography produces stunning images that give viewers a glimpse of the world as they rarely see it. When done correctly, it may seem like it took a team of professionals using expensive equipment to produce. In this course, however, skilled time-lapse photographer Ian Norman can show you how to achieve beautiful results, even if all you have is a smartphone.
- Picking your Time-Lapse Subject. When choosing a subject for your time-lapse photography project there are two elements to keep in mind; one is the static setting of your shot, and the second is the subject itself. It is important to choose a subject that will provide enough motion to be interesting without becoming a blur. Ian gives a few examples of his favorite types of time-lapse projects, including construction, traffic, and clouds, as well as a few tips to help your project come alive with dynamic, interesting motion.
- Time-Lapse Equipment Introduction. With just a few bits of kit, anyone can take beautiful time-lapse photos, and in this section, Ian covers the necessary accessories for a successful shoot. The most crucial element, besides the camera, is the tripod, and Ian gives examples of the different types which can be used, including a few designed to work with smartphones.
- Setting Up and Shooting Your Time -Lapse. Unlike taking photos indoors with studio light, several factors must be considered when shooting time-lapse sequences. In addition to understanding exposure so that you can adjust to the light as it changes, you will also need to determine the correct interval for each individual shot, how long your finished sequence should be, and how many frames you will need.
- Batch Processing Time-Lapse Frames in Adobe Lightroom. Once you have your collection of time-lapse frames, it’s time to take them into Lightroom and do some basic adjustments. Small tweaks to vibrance, contrast, and exposure can make your images leap off the screen with just a little bit of effort.
- Compiling the Time-Lapse. Before you share your project with the world, you will first have to compile the images into a movie. Certain considerations will determine your settings during this phase, and Ian gives you some tips on aspect ratio, frame rate, and frame size to ensure that your project achieves an optimal balance between size and quality.
- Adding Motion. When camera motion is added to a time-lapse sequence the result is known as “hyperlapse” photography. Previously, such shots required the use of expensive equipment, but Ian shows you how to get the same results using nothing more than a smartphone.
- Motion Types and Anchor Points. In this section, Ian covers the four types of camera motion that work best for hyperlapse photos and give you tips on how to perform these movements to get suitable results. He’ll also show you how to find an anchor point in your subject which will remain stationary throughout your shot.
- Hyperlapse Shooting Techniques. Using frame markers, you will lock your focus and anchor point to minimize jitter while shooting your hyperlapse sequence. You will also learn how to achieve faster or slower motion in your shots.
- Stabilizing with YouTube. YouTube has great tools for enhancing your videos, including one which can stabilize your sequence to further reduce shaking.
- Advanced Stabilizing in Adobe After Effects. For more advanced stabilizing, professional software such as Adobe After Effects can use tracking markers to create sequences that flow smoothly and seamlessly.
- Camera Preparation and Setup. To shoot a sequence that progresses from day to night, otherwise known as a “Holy Grail” shot, you will need a few tips on setting up your camera to avoid flickering, choosing the correct interval, and shutter speed.
- Shooting a Holy Grail Time-Lapse Sequence. During your Holy Grail sequence, you will need to keep a few things in mind in order for it to be successful. As the light changes, you will need to adjust various settings, such as ISO and exposure, between the intervals you have set. This may seem complicated, but with just a little guidance you will be able to adapt to the light as it changes from day to night.
- Exposure Leveling in Lightroom and LRTimelapse. Your sequence will likely still have sections that flicker as the settings were adjusted, but this can be easily solved using Lightroom and LRTimelapse. A few adjustments can create a smooth transition between your images.
- Color Grading with Lightroom and LRTimelapse. Using keyframes, you can easily adjust colors across your project to achieve a coherent sequence of images with the correct white balance, contrast, and vibrance.
Meet Your Teacher
Ian Norman is a commercial photographer specializing in Timelapse Photography and Night Photography. He is the creator of Lonely Speck, where he shares astrophotography techniques and tutorials, and Photon Collective, a creative photography project community.
You can find more about Ian at his site's facebook pages for Lonely Speck, Photon Collective and on twitter and Instagram.
See full profileHands-on Class Project
Create timelapse sequences of a local landmark
Creating a Timelapse
- Project Brief
This class will take you through techniques to capture professional level timelapse and hyperlapse sequences. You will challenge yourself by creating three different sequences: a timelapse, a hyperlapse, and a day-to-night timelapse. You will complete the overall project in the following suggested order:
- Post 1-3 written sentences describing the landmark that will be the subject of your project and why you chose it.
- Create a timelapse sequence of the landmark you chose and post it to your student project as a .gif or video link
- Create a hyperlapse (a timelapse when the camera is moving) of a local landmark and post it to your student project as a .gif or video link
- Create a day-to-night timelapse sequence (the holy grail of timelapse because it is pretty tough!) and post it to your student project as a .gif or video link
Tools & Materials
- Digital Camera (DSLR, compact or even a smartphone).
- Tripod.
- An Intervalometer is optional but helpful.
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, LRTimelapse, and Adobe After Effects (all of which have free trials available).
- Share: Write a 1-3 sentence description of the landmark you will be shooting and why
In this first section of the class you will be completing a timelapse of your favorite landmark. You'll start by choosing the landmark and then move on to take the steps necessary in order to capture the timelapse.
- For a detailed rundown of the steps to take in order to complete your timelapse, please download the attached PDF for this section.
SHARE: Write a 1-3 sentence description of the landmark you will be shooting and why
- Share: Post your final timelapse sequence in your student project section
After following along with the videos and the project brief PDF from the previous project step, you will be all set to complete your timelapse sequence.
You can share your timelapse sequence in one of two ways:
- Save the file as a .gif and post it into your student project (ideal format because we can all see the projects right away!)
- Upload the file to YouTube or Vimeo and then post the link in your student project section
Share: Post your final timelapse in your student project section.
The Art of Hyperlapse
- Share: Create you hyperlapse sequence of a local landmark
In this part of the class you will build on the skills you learned in the first section to add camera movement to your sequence, therefore creating a hyperlapse. Download the attached PDF for a detailed breakdown of all the steps you need to take in order to complete a hyperlapse sequence.
- Once finished, save your hyperlapse sequence as either .gif or YouTube/Vimeo file.
Share: Upload your hyperlapse sequence (or post the video link) to your student project.
Holy Grail Hyperlapse
- Share: Create a day to night timelapse sequence
If you have made it this far, congrats! Now it is time to take it up a notch... this section of the class teaches you how to create the "Holy Grail" of timelapse: a seamless transition from day to night. Download the attached PDF for a detailed breakdown of all the steps you need to take in order to complete a day to night timelapse sequence.
- Once finished, save your day to night timelapse sequence as either .gif or YouTube/Vimeo file.
Share: Upload your day to night timelapse sequence (or post the video link) to your student project.
Additional Resources
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Large Sensor Cameras with built-in intervalometers
Here's a list of all the large sensor cameras available that have built-in interval timer functions.
Hack your Canon point and shoot to enable a built-in intervalometer.
Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK) is a firmware hack that allows owners of Canon point and shoot cameras to enable advanced features on thier point and shoot cameras. This includes a built-in intervalometer function for timelapse photography.
Hack your Canon EOS camera to enable a built-in intervalometer.
Magic Lantern (ML) is a firmware hack for Canon EOS cameras that enables advanced features including a built-in intervalometer. I use ML on my Canon EOS cameras since it's much more convenient than carrying an accessory intervalometer.
Check out the download list below to see if your camera is supported in the stable releases. If it's not listed, you may be able to find a nightly build that supports your camera but keep in mind that nightlies usually are not fully developed and may be unstable or missing some features. I have personally had good luck with the nightly builds for my Canon EOS M and Canon EOS 6D but your experience may vary.
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Download Links for Photolapse 3 and Timelapse Assembler
Photolapse3 for Windows:
http://home.hccnet.nl/s.vd.palen/photolapse.htmlTime Lapse Assembler for Mac:
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/33252/time-lapse-assembler
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