Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Photography and portraiture - The problem of time-lapse photography

The problem of time-lapse photography

Time-lapse photography is similar to frame-by-frame photography in film photography, also known as low-speed photography, timing photography and "time-shrinking" photography. It is a means of recording regularly and reproducing the slow changing process of the scene with obvious changing images.

Objects suitable for time-lapse shooting should have the following characteristics:

Time-lapse photography-the right theme

Objects suitable for time-lapse shooting should have the following characteristics:

There are obvious changes in the form and content of the theme (such as flowers blooming and falling);

The light effect and shadow of the subject have obvious changes;

The color, color temperature and brightness of the subject have obvious changes. [ 1]

Time-lapse photographic equipment

Low-noise full HD digital camera or digital camera with time-delay shooting function, stable tripod, spare battery, spare tape or memory card, watch, small flashlight (headlights are better), and electronic equipment with time-delay setting. [ 1]

Time-lapse photography-shooting skills

Use the time-lapse shooting function in the camera menu. Many high-definition cameras and home DVs have this function. Please read the instructions carefully and master the usage before use.

The effect of time-delay shooting can also be achieved by using a camera without time-delay shooting function-shooting according to normal settings, and extracting frames during post-production to achieve the effect of time-delay shooting.

Use the short film function of digital camera, such as Canon 5DII, with time-delay shooting function.

Take photos with a digital camera and synthesize short films through software. The camera takes digital photos every certain time (for example, 10 second, 30 seconds to several minutes and hours), and finally synthesizes them into a single frame scene in the post-editing software to achieve the effect of delayed shooting. If you shoot in this way, you'd better buy a camera delay controller, set the interval of delay shooting, and the camera will shoot automatically. However, it should be noted that due to the large format and resolution of photos, in order to save memory card space and facilitate later editing, it is best to use a small format in the camera to shoot. [ 1]

Determine the time interval

The determination of the time interval of delayed shooting directly affects the final shooting effect. First of all, three factors should be made clear: the final picture speed effect, the lens length and the shooting time span, in order to decide the time interval of delayed shooting. Do more experiments: the flow of clouds, the traffic at night, the shadow of the sun and the pedestrians on the street can help you find the time interval setting that adapts to different effects as soon as possible. [ 1]

Recommended time

Fast moving clouds on windy days: 1-2 seconds

Slow cloud: 5- 10 second

The shadow of the sun moving on the ground: 10-20 seconds

The track of the sun on a clear day: 20-30 seconds.

The state of the stars running in the sky: 10-60 seconds.

Close-up of the sun at sunset: 1-2 seconds

Crowd in the city: 1-2 seconds

Plant growth status: 5-40 minutes.

Time-lapse photography-precautions

Stability is overwhelming. Be sure to fix the camera firmly on a solid tripod to avoid the camera shaking due to wind and other reasons, which will lead to shooting failure.

Avoid unnecessary sundries from entering the screen. If shooting on the road, in order to prevent pedestrians from entering the picture, the camera must be placed away from the sidewalk.

Prepare enough spare batteries and memory cards. Time-lapse shooting usually takes several hours or even dozens of hours, so you must prepare enough accessories according to the length of the required material. If conditions permit, it is best to turn on the alternating current to shoot.

Pay attention to the protection of machines. Because it takes a long time, in order to protect the safety of the camera and avoid the damage caused by natural and human factors, we must pay attention to taking good care of the camera when shooting in time delay, and avoid exposure and low temperature. [2]

Time-lapse photography-recommended equipment and post-production software

Equipment recommendation

Canon XF300 camera

Canon XL H 1S professional HD digital camera

Canon EOS- 1Ds markIII

Canon EOS-5D markII

nikon d700

Nikon D90

Nikon D800

Household DV products with time-lapse photography function