A time-lapse is a series of photos taken at regular gaps and played back quickly, so slow change looks fast. To shoot one, hold the camera perfectly still, lock your settings, choose an interval that suits the subject, and take enough frames to fill the clip length you want.
The Arithmetic of Time-Lapse
Playback usually runs at 24 or 30 frames per second. A ten-second clip at 24 frames per second needs 240 photos. If you shoot one frame every five seconds, that is 1200 seconds of shooting, or twenty minutes. Work this out before you leave the house, and your battery and memory card will not surprise you.
Choosing an Interval
| Subject | Typical interval | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Moving clouds | 2 to 5 seconds | Smooth drift |
| Busy street | 1 to 2 seconds | Keeps motion flowing |
| Plants growing | Minutes to hours | Very slow change |
| Building work | 30 seconds to minutes | Slow progress |
Faster subjects need shorter gaps. When unsure, shoot more often than you think, since you can always drop frames later.
Setup and Shooting
- Mount the camera on a tripod or fix it firmly to a stable surface. Even a tiny nudge shows as a jump.
- Frame the shot with something interesting in the foreground and plenty of room for movement.
- Switch to manual exposure, so brightness does not flicker between frames.
- Set manual focus, then turn autofocus off.
- Fix the white balance to a named setting instead of auto.
- Use the built-in interval timer, or a phone’s time-lapse mode, and set your interval and number of frames.
- Connect to power or begin with a full battery, and make sure the card has space.
- Take a few trial frames and check them before you walk away.
Assembling the Clip
Import the frames as an image sequence in a video editor, set the frame rate and export. Many cameras and phones do this for you and give a ready clip. If the brightness varies slightly, a deflicker option in your editor helps smooth it.
Practical Cautions
- Do not leave equipment unattended in public places where it may be knocked over or taken.
- Respect local rules about tripods and drones, and ask permission when filming on private land.
- Protect gear from rain and wind with a cover.
Think about the story of the shot too. Sunsets, tides and traffic all have a rhythm, so run the camera a little before and after the main change. Extra frames cost nothing and give you room to trim the clip in editing.
FAQ
Can I use my phone?
Yes. A phone on a stable mount with its time-lapse mode works well for short clips, though manual control is more limited.
Why does my clip flicker?
Automatic exposure is usually the cause. Lock exposure, aperture and white balance manually.
The Short Version
Work out frames from clip length, keep the camera still and lock every setting. Choose an interval to match how fast the scene changes and check your first frames.