Introduction
All videos are simply still images viewed in sequence one after another, usually at 25 frames per second. With a timelapse, we simply prolong the capture time by taking a photo every few seconds. When stitched together into a video sequence, the stills play back at that high frame rate, creating a clip that shows the passing of several minutes or even hours in a few seconds.
It's a magical effect that works particularly well on landscapes with moving clouds, but you can use it for other subjects too – to show a city lighting up as day turns to night, for example. Capturing the images for your timelapse is easy – all you have to do is mount your camera on a tripod, and set it up to shoot at intervals. Then it's just a case of turning your images into a movie using software. Here's how it's done...
Step 1: Use a tripod
A still camera is essential for timelapse shooting. If you have one, use a sturdy tripod. If not, you could place your camera on any solid surface. Be careful not to nudge the camera when the sequence has begun – even slight knocks will be very noticeable in the finished video. If you want to take the process one step further, you could try introducing incremental camera movement during the sequence by using a slow-moving rail, or a pan head like the Muvi X-Lapse.
Step 2: Interval shooting
We need to be able to time our shutter to go off at regular intervals in order to create a smooth sequence for our timelapse. There are lots of ways to set up for camera for interval shooting. Many newer DSLRs have an intervalometer feature built in, which you can set up through the camera menu. If not, you can use an external intervalometer like this Hahnel model, or inexpensive smartphone apps like Trigger Trap. Of course there's also the old-fashioned way: just hit the shutter button every few seconds.
Step 3: Settings and timings
Working out the interval time can entail a few calculations – in this case we want 25 frames per second of video. If you're struggling to work out an overall video length, shoot more frames than you think you'll need – you can always shorten the sequence later by selecting every other frame for the timelapse. As for exposure settings, use aperture priority mode, and lock the focus so the depth of field stays constant while the shutter speed varies in order to capture a correct exposure.
Step 4: Combine your shots
When it comes to piecing your images together, there are lots of software options (you can also buy dedicated software, which among other things can eliminate the flickering effect timelapses often produce). In Photoshop it's very easy. All you have to do is go to File > Open, then highlight the first image in the sequence and check the 'Image Sequence' box at the bottom of the Open dialog. Hit Open and choose a frame rate, such as 25fps. Then simply open the Timeline Panel (Window > Timeline) and hit Play.
Step 5: Export a video
Once your sequence has been stitched together you're ready to export it to a movie file. In Photoshop, go to File > Export > Render Video. This brings up a whole load of options for setting the quality, resolution and format of your video. The easiest thing to do is choose from the list of handy presets in the dropdown. These include several presets for Youtube videos, including the Youtube HD preset we've used here.
from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/1RE7ciu
via IFTTT
0 kommenttia:
Lähetä kommentti