Yesterday I shared a timelapse I made with my Canon 600D. The basic idea is to shoot photos in an interval, like every 4 seconds etc. Then create a video with them. As you might know, in Europe 1 second video consists of 25 frames, in USA it is 30. So basically if you shoot 25 frames, it is 1 sec. of video.
(by wikimedia, creative commons license for reuse)
But how is that possible to shoot so many photos? should we press the shutter ourselves? No.
Normally, there are shutter releases (also called Intervalometer) which lets you control these settings. Most DSLRs doesn't have these feature on board so you need(ed) to buy one of this devices.
Intervalometer
HOWEVER, If you have Canon DSLRs, you can try using a specific firmware (not oficial, like a firmware hack) that allows you to do great things that you wouldn't do before.
For example here, you can see the intervalometer settings. This software brings you not only intervalometer, but also cropmarks, focus peaks, sound controls etc. so many more! You can check it, I'm going to write another article on magic lantern (this one was about timelapses particularly) but you can check its website here:
http://www.magiclantern.fm/
This software/firmware works with sd card, so if you remove sd card from the camera your DSLR will remain untouched - original version. I haven't had any problems with it but of course there are some cases, use it on your own risk.
Tips for Timelapse
- use a tripod! You wouldn't want a shaky timelapse.
- Use manual mode. Otherwise camera will adjust the light, and if you for example shoot a sunset, camera will make the photo brighter every time to compansate the darkness. No, you wouldn't want that.
You may ask, "Why don't we just record 1 hour video and fasten it?", well, with taking photos you can have RAW files, you can make a great color grading(that you couldn't do on video). Also you'll have a lot more pixels to work (Most DSLRs are 18-22 mp, FullHD video is just 2mp and 4K is 8mp) You can make digital camera movements, you can crop. So many benefits!
If you have a question, please feel free to write a comment and ask.
Cheers.