[SML] Time Lapse Suggestions

[Pat Kight]

ani via Stagecraft wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I am being requested to provide a time lapse video of an upcoming
> load-in that will be roughly 5 days long.  I have done this in the
> past with a still camera and a human at predetermined intervals, and I
> don't really have a budget to record 60 hours of video.  I know iOS
> now offers a time lapse feature, but I'm certain my phone does not
> have that much video.  Those of you who've done these recordings in
> the past, what was the preferred method?  I welcome any and all
> suggestions.

There's a good basic tutorial at

http://digital-photography-school.com/timelapse-photography-tutorial-an-overview-of-shooting-processing-and-rending-timelapse-movies/

Basically, you need to set up your camera so it automatically shoots at 
a frame rate much lower than it will be played back.

You need:
* A good, stable tripod (and a shooting position where it won't get 
bumped, vibrated, etc.)
* A DSLR camera, with image stabilization/vibration reduction turned 
OFF, and (especially if you're shooting RAW format) a few high-capacity 
memory cards (over 5 days, you're probably going to need several, 
depending on the intervals you choose). Time-lapse can be done with a 
point and shoot, but the results from a DSLR will be much better in 
terms of noise, etc. I'd be skpetical of using a smartphone or tablet 
for anything but short projects - both capacity and battery life are 
going to be a problem.
* An intervalometer. Modern DSLRs have timers of a sort built in, but 
they may need to be reset several times for long projects. Attachable 
intervalometers offer better control than the camera's self-timer, and 
are advisable for projects as long as you want. You can find them 
starting at about $50 at B&H Photos and elsewhere. People I shoot with 
say the Shutterboss line is good value for the money if you aren't doing 
this kind of stuff full time.

You'll want to shoot a shortish sequence of test images before the real 
thing to get the camera settings and interval right. And don't forget to 
check the camera regularly during the project. You're likely to need to 
change batteries, at the very least.

-- 
Pat Kight
kightp at peak.org