In 2021, I have finally been able to engage with the objective I set for myself last year — developing and solidifying my skills in timelapse photography!
As time-consuming as this engrossing venture is, timelapse photograpy is really a lot of fun. Similar to when I first delved into night photography over a decade ago, part of my psyche feels revitalized in experimenting with timelapses. The novelty of the genre provokes my curiosity and stimulates my imagination. It requires some considerable patience and, like scientific experiments, one must be able to anticipate that the final result may not always match one’s initial, envisioned hypothesis. This can be both advantageous and frustrating depending on your perspective and investment of time. However, I don’t intend to let the mistakes deter me. In fact, I use some of my failed outcomes to challenge myself to do the project over and correct the faulty segments of my experiments. To date, my biggest challenge is exposure adjustment, especially when capturing a timelapse that begins at night and ends during the day, or vice versa.
Like the art and science of photography itself, timelapse photography is a creative subset which requires contemplation, preconception, travel time, execution, and post-production. (Don’t forget to bring something to drink, a few snacks, and some reading material. I also keep a folding chair in my car just in case). All of these aspects consume time. Alas, I’ve observed that one must really have an affinity for timelapse photography because it will occupy your personal time significantly. Nevertheless, the outcome, if you love timelapse photography, is almost always worth the investment and effort!
For example, the video below — of which I am very proud — is less than a minute in length but took almost two hours to execute on location. This, however, does not include the travel-time (which involved a drive and a walk) or the post-production activity to transfer thousands of images and compile them for presentation on my computer. (I have a newfound respect for Final Cut Pro X and my iMac’s internal processors).
For me, it’s been an enjoyable yet formidable challenge in patience and planning, similar to many of my night photography endeavors unrelated to timelapses. I’ve recorded a few timelapses in the last week of March and the first week of April, mainly during the weekends and a few evenings on weekdays when I can spare the time!
Can’t wait to see where this goes. Tune in again (and again)!
Thanks for reading this article. If you enjoyed the timelapse video here, please visit my official website @ www.tia-international-photography.com for an indelible, visual experience.
Fabulous work, Tosin!
Cheers, my friend. Very happy you enjoyed this. Many more timelapses to come in 2021.