Time lapse workflow
There are lots of different ways of creating time lapse movies, but this is my favourite method:
- Estimate the length of the process to be recorded.
- Work out how long you want the final time lapse movie to be.
- Calculate the best interval between shots. You can use the calculator here to help.
- Clear memory card.
- Set up camera on tripod with power supply somewhere where it won't get disturbed.
- Choose the image size you are happy with. I normally choose the size big enough to make HD movies for upload to YouTube (1920x1020).
- Set camera to take photos at the required interval. I use the CHDK tool and the lapse.lua script (there are lots of others if you prefer) for my Canon A470 or a third party intervalometer for my Canon 300D.
- Set it going and be patient.
- Once finished download the photos.
- Convert to a movie using Photolapse3 (Google it).
Note of caution!
Camera shutters don't last for ever. The exact number of shots is difficult to predict and probably varies from model to model. Some sources suggest 50,000 - 300,000 for DSLRs depending on whether they are amateur or professional models. Compact digital cameras may have smaller life expectancies. If you get bitten by the time lapse bug it is easy to start clocking up 10's of 1000's of shots so think carefully before you use your favourite camera for a really long series of shots.