Time Lapse Photography Tutorial
Read my review of LRTimelapse, the best software to create smooth day-to-night time lapse videos LRTimelapse it’s simply the best software to create flickering-free time lapse videos. Developed by the German photographer Gunther Wegner, it has gotten better and better over the years. Brinno Empower TLC2000 Time Lapse Camera - Step Video and Stop Motion Capture Modes in HDR and FHD - Flexible Schedule Setup, Long-Lasting Battery and LCD Display Screen - Compact, Portable Design $349.00 $ 349.
Time Lapse Example
So, I LOVE Timelapses. I can’t stop watching them for some reason! I recently published my own timelapse below after my move to New Zealand. It’s called 30 Days and 30 Nights in Queenstown.
(In Germany or can’t see the YouTube video? Here is the Vimeo Version.)
Time Lapse Photography Tutorial
Below is a video I made that shows the how-to of the video above. It’s fast paced, and I used a lot of cool tools to make it happen. Below, I’m listing out all the tools that I used in the production of the timelapse.
Time Lapse Filters
- Trey’s Lightroom Presets – about 80 Lightroom filters for just photos or timelapses
- I recommend Aurora HDR Pro if you edit on a Mac or Windows
- Magic Bullet Looks: Save 20% with STUCK20
- Topaz Adjust: Topaz Adjust Review and use STUCKINCUSTOMS to save 10%
Time Lapse Hardware
- SYRP from Genie – use STUCKINCUSTOMS coupon code to save $100 on the Deluxe. (This is the specialty ballhead I used in a few of the scenes) – Also see my Time Lapse Photography SYRP Genie Review
- An Array of Nikons – see my Camera Reviews section to see my recommended cameras… any of these will do.
Time Lapse Software
Over the years I’ve received a lot of questions about timelapse post production tools and apps… and for good reason, there is a lot out there. Finding and using a particular software application is simple, but so was hand sanding a detailed wood carving before I discovered a Dremel. Let’s just say knowing what tools exist is a very good thing.
From batch processing programs to Non-Linear Editors (NLE) from deflickering applications to HDR merging, we chat about them independently all over this site and in the timelapse book but what was a continuously updated single collection point. We’ll… lack no more because here it is:
[aside]What is your story?
What have you found to be the simplest to use and/or produce the best time-lapse results?
What have you found to be the simplest to use and/or produce the best time-lapse results?
Help collect all the different software tools for time-lapse photographers and make choosing the right app for getting time-lapse work done even easier.
Take a look at some of the categories below. If you’ve used the applications and have an opinion, please share by answering a few questions. This particular survey will act as an initial collection and lay of the time-lapse landscape to be tweaked and reviewed. What are your thoughts?[/aside]
I listed prices just because some folks might be searching for free time-lapse applications. Keep in mind a majority of paid apps offer free trials to test out before deciding if the investment makes sense for you. Discounts for students and educators are likely available as well as monthly subscriptions. Some of these programs do serve multiple purposes and overlap.
Standalone Batch RAW Image processors
Batch editing a collection of RAW images before creating the initial time-lapse sequence.
Aperture ($80)
Camera RAW (Free)
Adobe Lightroom (creative cloud LR and PS only, $9.99/mo)
Photoshop (creative cloud LR and PS only, $9.99/mo)
Photoshop Elements ($69)
Camera RAW (Free)
Adobe Lightroom (creative cloud LR and PS only, $9.99/mo)
Photoshop (creative cloud LR and PS only, $9.99/mo)
Photoshop Elements ($69)
Rendering the time-lapse sequence itself
Aftereffects ($699 or $49/mo)
LRTimelapse (Free eval version, $116)
Photolapse (Free)
Premiere Pro ($699 or $29/mo)
Quicktime Pro ($30)
VideoMach (Free)
VirtualDub (Free)
LRTimelapse (Free eval version, $116)
Photolapse (Free)
Premiere Pro ($699 or $29/mo)
Quicktime Pro ($30)
VideoMach (Free)
VirtualDub (Free)
Deflickering in post production
GBDeflicker ($99)
CHV Long Exposure plugin for FCP (Time-collection $39)
LRTimelapse (Free eval version, $116)
VirtualDub with MSU Deflicker (Free)
CHV Long Exposure plugin for FCP (Time-collection $39)
LRTimelapse (Free eval version, $116)
VirtualDub with MSU Deflicker (Free)
Main NLE (Non-linear editors) for creating final works
Final Cut Pro ($299)
Lightworks (Free – public beta)
Premiere Pro ($699 or $29/mo)
Sony Vegas ($525)
Lightworks (Free – public beta)
Premiere Pro ($699 or $29/mo)
Sony Vegas ($525)
Color Correction Any preferences?
Magic Bullet Colorista (Free)
HDR Batch Processing
Photomatix ($39)
HDR Expose ($149)
SNS-HDR ($120)
HDR Expose ($149)
SNS-HDR ($120)
Storage and Backup
BackBlaze ($5 month unlimited data!)
USB Stick
Secondary Internal and External Harddrives
USB Stick
Secondary Internal and External Harddrives
I hope this list is a helpful starting point to your next step.
I will be updating this list as more results come.
Thanks for your feedback.
Return to The Massive Time-lapse Photography Tutorial:
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