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Time-lapse Critique/ Help

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BeerWeed
Posts: 180 - Karma: 563

Using the Nikon D5000's Interval Timer Shooting setting to create a time-lapse of some nice nighttime sunsets. These are my first photographic time-lapses, and I'm still learning how to correctly capture a time-lapse. Can anyone help me/tell me the reason for the constant bouncing of the shots? I used a tripod and kept it very still, but it was on a very windy roof.. maybe that affected it? Any feedback is appreciated.. +k  =]

Jun 3 2011 12:27PM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
Wind for sure. Try draping a bag of sand over the camera to add weight and reduce the effects of wind.
Jun 3 2011 2:27PM
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BeerWeed
Posts: 180 - Karma: 563
that's some great feedback, thanks! I figure now i should try and avoid windy trees altogether as well because it makes them too shaky?
Jun 3 2011 5:15PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
work on your intervals too. they should be around 4-10 seconds depending on movement and focal length.

make sure your auto focus is off too
Jun 3 2011 6:39PM
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eheath
Posts: 61091 - Karma: 118,105
Yeah that could help, if you drag your shutter, aka use a low shutter speed (below 1/15) action will be more blurred together. But yeah, avoid trees if you can, stick with things that move in a more fluid motion, like cars, clouds, people, etc.
Jun 3 2011 6:49PM
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
while on the subject of timelapses, does anyone have any good advice for frame rates? i've been shooting clouds at a frame every 2- 5 seconds.
also, i'm thinking of doing a sunset from my roof tonight (inspired by op's vid). would every 5 seconds be good for that?
Jun 3 2011 7:25PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
depends on clouds or not. If you can easily see the clouds moving from the naked eye. then they're moving relatively fast, 3-5 second intervals. if it's clear out then do 8-12 second intervals and like eheath said, you'll want to increase the exposure time to get a little motion blur.

my timelapse from a trip last week


Jun 3 2011 7:46PM
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BeerWeed
Posts: 180 - Karma: 563
Awesome, thanks for the advice. good examples with the fluid motion as well.
Jun 3 2011 10:04PM
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BeerWeed
Posts: 180 - Karma: 563
very solid work!
Jun 3 2011 10:07PM
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
That's so sick! how do you do the movement? is that an editing effect?it seems like it would be hard to move the camera so much and keep the shot so smooth and steady

thanks for the help also
Jun 4 2011 7:51AM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
I think he just expanded the clip then key framed it back to normal size.

There are automated track systems out there that can enable you to get constant movement throughout your shoot but I have to imagine they're expensive, haven't really looked into it myself.
Jun 4 2011 8:31AM
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Deluge
Posts: 4398 - Karma: 767
yeahh i was just about to say keep the auto focus off
Jun 4 2011 9:17AM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
its called ken burns crop in imovie. i only use the best
Jun 4 2011 10:56AM
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