Time Lapse Photography Tutorial Below is a video I made that shows the how-to of the video above. Database program for mac like access. It’s fast paced, and I used a lot of cool tools to make it happen. Time Lapse Assembler for Mac is available as freeware, with only a one-time request for (voluntary) donations. The program's small size makes installation and setup quick and easy.
Time lapse photography requires a series of photographs taken over a period of time. You cannot do this natively in most SLR's that I am aware of - you would need a programmable trigger to tell the camera to take a picture, say every 5 seconds for a period of several minutes or hours. Free or low cost programs such as Time-Lapse Assembler, Time-Lapse Tool, TLDF or Sequence (shown here, for MacOS) can do the job, all offering options for the final movie’s format. Generally, an HD or 4K video in the H264 format, or “codec,” is best.
Edited by Pat Bitton
March 22, 2019
You’ve probably heard of time-lapse photography. This technique is an interesting hybrid of animation, still photography, and videography. You can use it to create videos in which time is compressed so that everything seems to move much faster than in real life.
To make a good time-lapse video, you’ll need a still camera or a video recorder and good video software. We recommend Movavi Video Editor – it’s an easy movie maker for both PC and Mac. If you would like to know how to do time-lapse with Movavi Video Editor, download the program and follow the tutorial below.
To inspire you, we’ve also prepared a demo video made with Movavi’s time-lapse software. Check it out!
Click the links below to view that section of the tutorial:
Choosing a Subject
There are some subjects that are commonly chosen by fans of time-lapse photography. Here’s a list to start you thinking about ideas for your own video:
Sunrise/sunset
Moving clouds
City lights at night
Plants and fruit growing
Construction process
Drawing or other creative processes
Opening of flower buds
Starry night
Time Lapse Photography Images
Any beautiful natural landscape
DSLR Camera
Pros:
Can shoot high-resolution photos in RAW format
Adjustable settings, interchangeable lenses
Tips:
Buy an intervalometer (a device that presses the camera shutter at preset intervals)
Turn off auto focus and focus manually
Recommended shutter speed: 30-50
Recommended aperture: F4-F8
Smartphone
Pros:
Love the color choice options and doesn’t seem to be a limit on how many you can use. Stickies app for mac.
Easy-to-use
Always on hand
Tips:
Use the built-in time-lapse tool (available in Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, LG G4)
Download a time-lapse app (e.g. Hyperlapse, Lapse It)
GoPro or other action camera
Pros:
Accessibly priced
Compact and convenient
Tips:
Select Multi-shot mode
Use Time-lapse mode (if available)
Reduce resolution to 7 megapixels to save space
Choosing a Method
Making a time-lapse video with this technique is as easy as it sounds: record a long video, then open it in a video editing application and speed the footage up 5 times or more, depending on how fast you want the objects in your video to be moving or how long you want your finished video to be.
This approach is more difficult, but can also be more rewarding: assemble a time-lapse video from hundreds (or thousands) of still images. You may ask: “Why should I bother with taking so many photos when I can just record a video using the first method?” Well, there are at least three good reasons:
Quality. Your final result will look good even if made with consumer grade equipment because of the high resolution of the photos. With video, your resolution will be lower.
Size. Videos can be space hogs, especially if you’re shooting in 4K for a long period of time (3-5 hours). Still photos will need less space on your memory card and will demand fewer computer resources for post-production.
Fun! There’s some old-school magic and mystery in stitching photos together to produce a spectacular video. Why deprive yourself of this experience?
No matter which method you choose, Movavi Video Editor can help you. Check out our guide below!
How to Make a Time-Lapse Video with Movavi Video Editor
1. Record Your Footage
First, here’s a list of general recommendations on shooting a time-lapse video:
Use a stable tripod that won’t wobble.
Use large-capacity memory cards - you’ll need a lot of space.
Think about battery life beforehand if you’re preparing to shoot a long take.
If you chose the first method mentioned above, just set your camera or other device on the tripod and shoot your video.
If you chose the second method, you should take photos at predetermined intervals (e.g. every five seconds). To do this, use an intervalometer or the corresponding built-in function in your device.
It’s best to record/make photos for at least 10-20 minutes. Remember that your final video will be speeded up, so 20 minutes of your footage will turn into a 10-second time-lapse video.
Note: The following steps relate only to the second method. If you use the first method, go straight away to our guide on how to speed up a video after you’ve finished filming your footage.
2. Download and Install Movavi Video Editor
Download Movavi Video Editor for Windows or Mac, open the file you’ve downloaded and follow the installation instructions. After that, launch Movavi Video Editor and choose New Project.
3. Upload Your Material to the Program
Plug in your video recording device and transfer your photos to your computer’s hard disk. Then click Add Media Files in the Import tab of the Video Editor, locate the folder with your photos and upload them all to the program.
4. Create the Time-Lapse
All your photos should be automatically selected on the Timeline. If they are not, press Ctrl + A to select them all. Click the Clip properties icon and locate Duration in the Tools menu. Manually change the duration of your frames to 00:00:00.100 (change the milliseconds first, then the seconds).
5. Add Music
A successful time-lapse video always has an appropriate soundtrack. Go back to the Import tab, click Add Media Files and choose some atmospheric audio for your soon-to-become time-lapse video. The audio you’ve added will appear on the separate Audio Track. Alternatively, you can also choose one of the built-in tunes: to open the collection, click Music and then drag the desired audio onto the Timeline.
6. Save Your Video
You’re almost there! Now, here’s when the magic comes in: all that’s left to creating a time-lapse video is to convert the sequence of still photos to a video format. To do this, click Export, choose the video format you want, and hit Start. Et voila! You’ll be amazed when you see the results.
Movavi Video Editor
Creating videos has never been so easy!
Add transitions, filters, titles, and callouts
Export videos in any popular format
Movavi Photo Editor
An intuitive photo editing app that lets you retouch any photo on the fly. Improve quality, add filters and captions, remove unwanted objects, change backgrounds, and more!
Movavi Screen Recorder
An easy way to record from your screen in HD. Make video footage of any application, record online streaming video, webinars, even Skype calls, and save clips in all popular formats.
Time-lapse is a known technique used in photography to lower frequency of capture as compared to viewing of the sequence. From a casual view, it looks complicated but this article will simplify such complexities for your understanding. When this technique is used in photography to make time-lapse video in iMovie, time seems to be fast moving thus leading to a lapse. Time-lapse has been used severally in crowded shooting like traffic where an impression of motion is created from nowhere. Don’t confuse that to be black magic; it is time-lapse technique well in use. We will show you how to make time lapse video easily.
Best iMovie Alternative to Make Time-Lapse Video - Filmora Video Editor
Filmora Video Editor is one of the effective and highly preferred software programs for making video with all kinds of feature. It should be your best iMovie alternative for Mac (macOS 10.13 High Sierra included) if you are keen on makeing time-lapse video. It has some outstanding features that make Filmora Video Editor a force to reckon with in the industry. There are assorted editing tools to use, it performs color correction through adjusting contrast and brightness and there are animated templates as well as faceoff which are good for making time lapse video without hassle.
Key Features of Filmora Video Editor:
Doing Time Lapse Photography
Easy to use interface for effortless video editing.
A wide range of text and titles to suit every occasion (animated text is supported).
A variety of music tracks to choose from, with support to add own tracks to the library.
Overlays and filters that are specifically designed to give your video a professional touch.
Support for all commonly used video, audio and photo formats from any device (camcorders, smartphone cameras, and ordinary cameras).
Steps to Make a Time-Lapse Video in Filmora Video Editor
Step 1: Import video or photo to the program
Begins with drag and drop the video or images that you will work with to the project. Alternatively, click on the 'Import Media' button to select the video or photo and import it to the program.
Step 2: Make time-lapse in video
Drag and drop your video to timeline. Then double click the video clip and a window will pop up for you to adjust the settings of video. Find the 'Speed' option and move the slider bar to adjust the speed. After that, click the 'Play' button to preview the result.
Step 3: Save the project
When you finish editing the video, click on the 'Export' button to save your project. Filmora Video Editor should always be among your top priorities for making time-lapse videos.
Part 2. How to Make Time-lapse in iMovie
If you want to have your still pictures changed into a movie or video, it will consume very little time and it is all because of iMovie. This technique has been designed in a very unique way such that it takes limited time to accomplish the task. In this part, you will learn about how to make time-lapse in iMovie. The initial step will be filming the subject of your project by using the time-lapse setting right in your camera or manually. The manual process is a bit tedious because you will be required to drive the shutter button for some time in a span of one minute repeatedly.
Time Lapse Photography Flowers
The choice will be all yours to make but ensure the camera is firm enough on the tripod to cushion it from falling off. The next step will be importing the shot video to the iMovie. The camera should be connected to the Mac using a USB cable or even card reader since that option is provided. Make sure the video is saved to the timeline where you can access it easily.
See the detailed step-by-step guide on how to make time-lapse in iMovie
Step 1. Open the iMovie and add your movie project
It will now be the moment to kick start your project through clicking on the “applications” folder and then launch iMovie. On the lower side of the project library, you will see the (+) button which you will click to allow you add the project name, set a suitable theme and click “create” to have the project created. Naturally, iMovie settings are automatic but you must have to change that so that you have the full control of the proceedings. Go to “file”, click on the “project properties” icon and set the duration for transition as per your preference. This step is important but not mandatory because it will allow you to have time-lapse video assume your own preferences for total satisfaction.
Step 2. Start to make time-lapse
The next step will be adding your time-lapse video to the timeline through dragging. Once there, you will be able to make more editing just to make your time-lapse video more appealing and interesting. Music is the common addition at this stage and you can add by clicking on the “music” button located below the viewer. When it is highlighted, drag the song to the library and it will add automatically. Finally, export your fully edited video clip through hitting the “share” button on the top side. You can choose either to export it as a movie or have it published in the online video sharing sites.
You can add pictures on top of pictures to create a scene you want. Layer are also a feature when it comes to photoshop. Gimp for mac free.
The processes will be the same if you are using still images to come up with a movie sequence. However, be keen to differentiate parts that require distinct treatments like playback since that is only possible with video and not still images.