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Rotational time-lapse video (example)

October 26, 2015 Neil vN 7 Comments

Rotational time-lapse video (example)

Testing a new time-lapse rig in Times Square that shoots rotational time-lapse sequences. The Dynamic Perception Stage R Motion Controller is a finely crafted machine that smoothly rotates the camera. It is a very slick setup that is controlled via an app from my iPhone, all the settings are entered and controlled via a bluetooth connection from my iPhone. No more guessing with an analog controller.

Here is my very first test shoot with this set up – a 180 degree rotational time-lapse view of Times Square. It came out much better than I thought it might, considering this is actually a first test with this rig. (Why waste time shooting something less spectacular for a test?) It would’ve been a 45 minutes shoot for the 360 degree view, but someone bumped my tripod – so I shortened it to this 180 degree view you see here.

One of the neat additions to this setup is the angled bracket with which you can tilt the camera upwards. It helps in keeping the horizon even while the camera is tilted up. It would be more difficult to get right with just a ball-head on the tripod.

I shot the individual images as RAW files so that I could bump up the contrast, and bring up the shadow details in post-processing. Then the video was compiled in Lightroom.

I can see a few problems in this video clip – my shutter speed was a touch too slow for the timing of the rotation, and this caused a few stutters. The next test will be smooth though … I have the hang of this!

I would love to repeat this in a few months – can you imagine how this would look during a snow storm with the car’s headlights coming in through the snow, while the electronic billboards are lit up!?

 

Equipment used during this shoot

  • Nikon D810
  • Nikon 16-35mm f/4G AF-S VR   /equivalent  Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS
  • Manfrotto 057 Carbon Fiber Tripod  with the Manfrotto 057 Magnesium Ball Head
  • Dynamic Perception Stage R Motion Controller

 

Related links

  • Camera settings for Time-lapse photography
  • More articles on Time-Lapse Photography
  • Everything you want to know about Time-Lapse Photography, an E-book by Ryan Chilinski

 

Timelapse photography – a complete introduction

As with everything in photography – or as with everything in life really – there is a learning curve. Then you have two options. You can reinvent the wheel, and figure it all out from scratch by yourself … or you can do some homework and study what people before you have done.

There are several websites that are loaded with information – and then there is this thorough primer on the topic, written by Ryan Chilinski: Everything you want to know about Time-Lapse Photography. (Amazon)

Filed Under: time-lapse photography


 

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I also offer photography workshops and tutoring sessions, whether in person, or via online video tutoring sessions.

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You can also join our thriving photo community in the Tangents group on Facebook, where we show our photos and discuss all things photography.

Thank you,

Neil vN

Books by Neil van Niekerk


 




7 Comments, Add Your Own

  1. 1Franco says

    October 26, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    Neil, That’s a pretty darn good first attempt!! What were your settings?

    Besides Times Square in the snow, I always loved the time lapses where day turns to night!

    Reply
  2. 2Phil says

    October 26, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    I have been meaning to give time lapse a go, this has given me the motivation thanks

    Reply
  3. 3Tommy Timelapse says

    October 28, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Great clip, vivid colours but the low resolution doesn’t do it justice though.

    Reply
    • 3.1Neil vN says

      October 28, 2015 at 11:45 am

      Try watching it on Vimeo, using a WFi connection?

      Reply
  4. 4Valent Lau says

    October 28, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Interesting the 2 people who stood still long enough to register. I’m surprised you didn’t get bumped more in such a crowd. Are you getting into time lapse commercial work?

    Reply
  5. 5Neil vN says

    November 4, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    Valent – it is a natural progression for me, with my interest in photography, and my love for movies and my expanding interest in video as a medium.

    This is an interesting intersection – time-lapse where the camera isn’t static. It gives a cinematic feel to the final clip.

    Reply
  6. 6dr frank says

    December 2, 2015 at 6:24 am

    Nice work! I have been to this location many times and there are times this is what it feels like in real time. :D

    Reply

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