![](http://i.imgur.com/qVKTbu9.jpg)

Once you have mastered the art of HDR photography, time-lapse is the next step to becoming the creator of what is in my opinion, the most beautiful art of all.   

If you don't already know how to shoot HDR, please check my previous post in which I explain everything:  https://steemit.com/photography/@samstonehill/how-to-shoot-hdr-or-in-simple-terms-how-to-shoot-really-trippy-looking-shots

Just to get you all fired up before we start, here is a quick film showing what a finish time-lapse film can look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG3gFZ2rYbo&list=PLqX-TWGEim2hcEou72qQTlP-J-UGeC7CN&index=11&t=2s
This film was shot in Barcelona in 2013 with a friend by the name of Dominika Martincova, who like me was also interested in time-lapse.

![](http://i.imgur.com/IKTgdvX.jpg)

## Let's get started!

So, the key to making any of this happen is having the ability to 'batch' your shots.  Not all HDR software offers the batch option.

Photomatix Pro (the software I currently use) has a simple batch option.  If you are a PC user, I recommend SNS-HDR, which also batches in a very simple way.

http://i.imgur.com/Y8zdWVS.jpg

## Why batching?

We must batch process because when we shoot time-lapse, we end up with hundreds, sometimes thousands of shots that need to be processed from 3 exposures back down to 1 final image, giving us that High Dynamic Range surreal feel we love so much.

Most HDR software can only do this one at a time.  Each shot needing to be worked on individually.  To batch means that you apply your desired processing settings to the whole lot, you hit enter and go watch a movie!  Coz even with the fastest processors this won't be quick.  Especially as I shoot medium RAW on my Canon 5D mkiii.  Meaning that the files are pretty huge and take extra long to process.  Most of the time it's an overnight thing for me.  Hit batch and go to sleep.  And it makes mornings that much more exciting... to see your finishing shots as a time-lapse!

![](http://i.imgur.com/sSuEKHn.jpg)

## The basics

You are going to need a tripod for your first time-lapse. 

You are going to need a DSLR with intervalometer or a DSLR with the ability to accept the software known as magiclantern.  You will find supported cameras for magiclantern software at the bottom of this link: http://www.magiclantern.fm/index.html

Canon do not support this software because it is not affiliated with them and being offered for free.  And using it on your Canon camera will make your warranty invalid.

![](http://i.imgur.com/TPtz1qM.jpg)

## Why use magic lantern?

To shoot time-lapse we need an intervalometer.  This is the device that tells your camera to take take photos every few seconds.  Canon would like you to buy their external intervalometer for around $30.  But magiclantern offer it for free as one of the hundreds of extra features that can be added to your camera by installing their open source software.  I should point out that this is illegal, but these software developers do it because they are trying to give us something that Canon is not providing as a standard feature...yet...just to make sure we keep buying their cameras!

I cannot advocate the breaking of our mighty laws here so I suggest you go out and buy an intervalometer.  But if you feel like a bit of law-breaking today, download the latest build of magiclantern and put the all the files on your memory card.  Make sure you have a full battery and insert memory card into camera.  Go to Upgrade Firmware in your settings and hit upgrade.  Your camera will do some strange things for a few minutes and then... hopefully... tell you it is done.  If you are having trouble, the most common problem is that your original firmware was not up to date.  So you will need to go to the upgrade firmware page of whichever camera you and follow their instructions.

The two features I use the most are the intervalometer and the HDR bracketing function.

In this way I only have to play with one menu before each time-lapse.  Some DSLRs have an in-built HDR bracketing feature, but using this may obstruct with the function of the magiclantern intervalometer.  Of course, if you have an external intervalometer, go ahead and use the camera's internal HDR bracketing option.  And forget about magiclantern altogether! 

![](http://i.imgur.com/BbFxDZG.jpg)

## Intervalometer rate

This is key to shooting a time-lapse.  How long to have the camera wait between shots.  Which with HDR is actually three shots.

Experimenting is the best way to learn but as a basic rule of thumb I shoot ever 3 seconds when there is fast cloud or shadow movement and every 6 when it is slow.  And it depends too how long you want your time-lapse to last.  Though this is really about the size of your memory card, but in short... the longer your intervals, the longer the period of time you will capture.

Make sure you practice a little with the intervalometer & HDR functions before you head out at sunrise.  It can be very frustrating watching the changes colours fade away while you battle with your camera.

![](http://i.imgur.com/CwKd7tD.jpg)

## Shooting your first HDR time-lapse

When you have found your perfect location, put your camera on a tripod!  Make sure it is stable and bear in mind that any movement at all during the shot will mess with the final results, so be conscious even of wooden floor boards upon which your tripod my be placed and the way in which they move as you walk around the room.  I speak from experience.  And once the shot is running, the golden rule is DONT TOUCH THE CAMERA!

To be fair you can touch it if you are super gentle, but you will only need to do this when you are a more advanced time-lapser, needing to adjust your aperture with the changing light of sunrise or sunset.  

So, the camera is on the tripod and you have a big memory card in it!  I use a 32G and fill it every time.  

And make sure your battery is fully charged!

![](http://i.imgur.com/2syzHPG.jpg)

## Framing 

Line up your desired shot, taking some time over this...as clearly this is the most important aspect of your final work.  Thinking for a moment about which way the clouds are moving.  Having them move towards you is always the most dramatic.  Framing is key to creating a great shot, so always think about your shot like it were a painting, filling all of it with information that flows in a way that is pleasurable to the eye.

I was taught about the golden ratio when studying art at school.  It represents the natrual form of creation and is pleasurable to the eye.

![](http://i.imgur.com/30UO7LN.gif)

And this is a useful tool for knowing if you have the right kind of framing.  Use this diagram to see the lines that fit the mathematics of this ancient understanding.

![](http://i.imgur.com/76Vztqs.png)

Try to line up your horizon, prominent buildings or landscape features with these lines.  Once you have had some practice, you will find yourself breaking these for various reasons!  Every situation is different and to apply one set of rules to a photograph would be madness.  This is just a good place to start if you are a beginner.

If you are shooting on a single tripod and you camera is running, all you have to do now is sit back and relaxing, taking in the awesomeness of your surroundings.  

![](http://i.imgur.com/nPrc5Pc.jpg)

## What to do with all your processed shots?

Once you are done shooting your time-lapse it's time reap the rewards!  And this is the best bit of all... seeing the finished film.

You can do this is a variety of ways:  

- Personally I use After Effects to connect all the processed shots into a sequence which I then export as a high rez quicktime file.  

- You can alternatively drop the shots directly into the time-line of your editing system, which also works pretty well.

- You can get a plug-in for Lightroom which will adds the ability to export your shots as a film. 

These three options seem like the best to me.

So that's it!  Now you have your finished time-lapse :)

And in time you will desire more.  Which will come in the form of motion control.  This adds camera movement to your shots.  And takes it to a whole new level.  This I will cover in the next post.

## In conclusion

I very much enjoy making these posts for you and hope they inspire you get out there and make start making some awesome time-lapse movies!

Looking forward to your comments, feedback and perhaps even some samples of your work?

Happy to give advice to anyone who wants it :)

In this final shot you can see me relaxing on the banks of the Lower Zambezi river in Zambia in 2011, while my camera does its work.

![](http://i.imgur.com/Y19LFPR.jpg)

Steem on my friends!