Uploaded December 2014 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Nick of Mister Photon Media provided one-man-band cameraman services to a producer for Discovery. This sample will be aired mid 2015. This was shot in Sony XDCAM format. There are several ways to shoot time-lapse video with modern day cameras. Many now have built in time lapse or interval recording where you can specify the frame rate of the recording, however many times this feature does not record the audio. We added the wind sound effect, compliments of freesfx.co.uk
Here are some tips for recording the best time lapse, video DSLR, HD video camera or via 35mm motion picture film camera.
DSLR or SLR:
- Auto Aperature work well in some instances or auto ISO when dramatic or large changes in exposure are to occur.
- Always have the camera secure in a weather & tamperproof environment.
- Avoid film based cameras if your subject matter is dynamic in exposure changes.
- DSLR often have this recording feature built in, without having to rely on an intervalometer, unlike SLR.
- Shooting a higher frame rate will yield better smoothness.
HD Video
- Record a separate soundtrack at normal speed that matches the duration of your video recording, or experiment with recordings at different frame rates & speeds.
- Also use exposure control in auto iris or avoid it pending the situation. If you think the sun or other hot light source with hit the camera it would be a judgement call.
- Use a tripod head that can be locked down to avoid shake in case you have to adjust the iris.
- Experiment in advance various frame rates on a similar scene to review and plan your shoot.
- Recording at normal speeds (at least 24 fps or higher), or higher speeds can always be sped up in post, therefore increasing the smoothness of the video. This also reduces drastic changes in motion or exposure as well.
35mm Motion Picture Film
- Most of the same tips are from SLR and HD video acquisition as mentioned above.
- On older cameras an intervalometer is needed. Many modern Arri & Aaton film cameras are easier to use to film time-lapse.
- Film is less forgiving than video so more diligence is required for time lapse.
These spellings for time-lapse, time-lapse, or time lapse are all referring to the same techniques.
Many of these tips works across all types of time-lapse filming, recording.
For more examples please visit other samples on our YouTube.com channel at: youtube.com/user/mrphotonmedia
or our websites for services at:
coloradodirectorofphotography.com - for DP/DOP, director of photography services, along with personnel for production
http://www.misterphoton.com- for a HTML summary of the same summaries, as well services of HD or SD camera crews, HD or SD video or television crews, ENG, EFP, or film crews, among other related services.
misterphoton.com/sound - is a HTML summary of our location production sound services (sound mixer, sound man, sound guy, or other synonyms).
coloradosoundrecordist.com - Is a word press summary on location sound services.
Thank You, Nick Teti, Mister Photon Media, Colorado
Nick of Mister Photon Media provided one-man-band cameraman services to a producer for Discovery. This sample will be aired mid 2015. This was shot in Sony XDCAM format. There are several ways to shoot time-lapse video with modern day cameras. Many now have built in time lapse or interval recording where you can specify the frame rate of the recording, however many times this feature does not record the audio. We added the wind sound effect, compliments of freesfx.co.uk
Here are some tips for recording the best time lapse, video DSLR, HD video camera or via 35mm motion picture film camera.
DSLR or SLR:
- Auto Aperature work well in some instances or auto ISO when dramatic or large changes in exposure are to occur.
- Always have the camera secure in a weather & tamperproof environment.
- Avoid film based cameras if your subject matter is dynamic in exposure changes.
- DSLR often have this recording feature built in, without having to rely on an intervalometer, unlike SLR.
- Shooting a higher frame rate will yield better smoothness.
HD Video
- Record a separate soundtrack at normal speed that matches the duration of your video recording, or experiment with recordings at different frame rates & speeds.
- Also use exposure control in auto iris or avoid it pending the situation. If you think the sun or other hot light source with hit the camera it would be a judgement call.
- Use a tripod head that can be locked down to avoid shake in case you have to adjust the iris.
- Experiment in advance various frame rates on a similar scene to review and plan your shoot.
- Recording at normal speeds (at least 24 fps or higher), or higher speeds can always be sped up in post, therefore increasing the smoothness of the video. This also reduces drastic changes in motion or exposure as well.
35mm Motion Picture Film
- Most of the same tips are from SLR and HD video acquisition as mentioned above.
- On older cameras an intervalometer is needed. Many modern Arri & Aaton film cameras are easier to use to film time-lapse.
- Film is less forgiving than video so more diligence is required for time lapse.
These spellings for time-lapse, time-lapse, or time lapse are all referring to the same techniques.
Many of these tips works across all types of time-lapse filming, recording.
For more examples please visit other samples on our YouTube.com channel at: youtube.com/user/mrphotonmedia
or our websites for services at:
coloradodirectorofphotography.com - for DP/DOP, director of photography services, along with personnel for production
http://www.misterphoton.com- for a HTML summary of the same summaries, as well services of HD or SD camera crews, HD or SD video or television crews, ENG, EFP, or film crews, among other related services.
misterphoton.com/sound - is a HTML summary of our location production sound services (sound mixer, sound man, sound guy, or other synonyms).
coloradosoundrecordist.com - Is a word press summary on location sound services.
Thank You, Nick Teti, Mister Photon Media, Colorado
