How to create professional looking time lapse videos

Technically any type of camera allows you to create a time lapse video. You can use your point and shoot digital camera, a D-SLR or a camcorder to get started. I have to say that it is going to be a lot easier with a D-SLR or a camcorder because many D-SLR cameras have a built-in intervalometer (timer) that allows you to take images in regular intervals automatically. With most point and shoot cameras you might not find that feature. As long as you work with a camcorder, iPhone or any other device that records video you're on the safe side, it can't get any easier than that.

The "post production" step can be split into two steps:

1. Image editing software: The recorded images have to be re-sized in order to comply to certain video standards. For example my Nikon D90 camera records images with a resolution of 4288x2848 pixels. That's way too big for a video clip. The images' size has to be reduced to less than 1920x1080 pixels which is Full HD video. Also, the images can/should be edited to make the movie more appealing for example by increasing saturation.

2. Video software: The processed images have to be merged together to create the actual video clip.

Certain things have to be taken into consideration when starting a time lapse project:
1. Make sure all your equipment is in good working order and clean (especially the lens)!
2. Prepare a bag that contains all necessary equipment (camera, tripod, timer, lens cleaner, batteries etc.) and fully charge all batteries to avoid disappointments at shooting location.
3. Always use a tripod when shooting a time lapse sequence
4. Never touch the tripod during the shoot - accidental or unintentional movement of the camera will ruin your shoot.
5. If you shoot outdoors check the weather forecast.
6. Try not to shoot when it's windy. The camera will shake very little during the shoot and you will only see it once the final clip is done.
7. If you still shoot when it's windy, keep the camera as low to the ground as possible. The wind gusts won't be as strong and also the fully collapsed tripod is much sturdier than extended all the way.
8. Always shoot in manual mode! Expose your shots properly and manually set the exposure time, aperture, white balance, ISO and focus. Turn off auto-focus!
9. Try to shoot with a camera that allows regular intervals (not by hand). The more precise the frames are recorded the more natural the result will look. Therefore use a camera with a built-in intervalometer, a camcorder/video recording device or a camera that can be triggered by an external intervalometer.
10. Take your time. Time lapse requires a lot of time. Don't shoot if you're on a tight schedule, it's just frustrating.
11. Learn from your mistakes. Rome wasn't built in a day. It does take time and experience to achieve better results.

Assuming you have read the list of things to consider above, we're ready to shoot now.

First, find your spot where you want to place your camera/camcorder. Pick a place that is safe for your camera out of the way where people walk past or a bit further away from water/wind exposure. Remember, the camera has to remain still at all times of the shoot. Otherwise your time lapse won't look good.

Once you located your spot, make sure that the camera is securely mounted, fully charged and the lens clean of dust.

Make sure you format your memory card before shooting (backup your old images before that)!
Shooting images for time lapse video with a point and shoot camera (P&S) is not impossible but may be a bit challenging, depending on your camera model. Some P&S cameras already have an internal intervalometer that allow you to program regular time intervals to take photos. Other cameras have a remote sensor or plug to trigger the shutter release from an external device like this one: Pclix LT - The affordable, portable, time-lapse solution or for Nikon cameras this infrared remote . If your camera doesn't have either option you have to press the shutter release by hand which is quite tiring and for long projects impossible to do. Take test shots to ensure proper focus and exposure!

Most D-SLR cameras these days even have a built-in intervalometer (timer) or record HD video directly. Depending on the duration of your project you can pick your preferred way of capturing the images. With video it's obviously a lot easier although a few things have to be considered: Mostly the default settings in the video mode of a D-SLR is auto-exposure which means that the camera automatically changes brightness settings when the lighting conditions in your scene change like clouds passing the sun or people at a party moving in front of table lamps. Turn the auto-exposure setting off to avoid those brightness changes. Video also takes up a lot more space on your memory card, so if you plan on recording a soccer game you better take individual images instead of straight video recording. Don't forget to take test shots to check focus and exposure!

This is the easiest way to create time lapse video with a couple of drawbacks. Obviously you can simply record a short period of time 30 minutes or 1 hour and speed the video up to get your time lapse clip. So far so good but if you would like to record the construction of a building or the decomposition of a banana you quickly realize that it's not practical to use a video camera for such projects. Some prosumer camcorders/video cameras even have a built in intervalometer to record time lapse straight in the camera. Take test shots to check focus and exposure!

Sure enough you can record time lapse video with the help of your smart phone and apps that were developed specifically just for that. For the Apple world you can use programs likeiTimeLapse Pro or Gorillacam. For Droid users you can use Time lapse. It's easy to find the apps for your device, just check your App store.

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If you didn't shoot video, you now have hundreds or thousands of images that need to be edited and re-sized. It's of great help to use a software that can do it all like Adobe Photoshop. There you can record all of your adjustments for one image and apply those changes to all other images automatically. Very convenient. Gimp, a free image editing software is also capable of doing that but it requires some programming to get the whole batch processed.

If you like the images the way they are you can use a free software like Picture Resizer to down sample your images.

This is the moment of truth. All your images will now be merged together to create the final video file. For PC users you can use Virtual Dub, a free program that allows you to import a JPEG image sequence and save them as a video file. For MAC (or also PC) users I recommend buying the Quicktime Pro Player ($29.99) which can produce video files from an image sequence easily and quickly.

Most people who own a video camera or camcorder also receive some software with their purchase to edit video on their computer. Each video editing software is a little bit different so I can't describe exactly how to speed up your recorded clip but usually you can look out for an option called "Time" or "Speed". Please refer to your manual or contact me so I can post a tutorial for that as well.