CNN iReport

From time to time we see iReporters using advanced video techniques, like time-lapse photography. Taking photographs at a constant interval shows us gradual changes in a novel way.

iReporter craezer captured a Seattle sunset over a 4.5-hour period using this technique. He set up his Canon digital SLR with an intervalometer, which tells the camera to take a photo at constant intervals. The camera was set to fire once every three seconds, giving craezer more than 4,000 images!

I learned a lot about time-lapse from my conversation with craezer. Photography and time-lapse are hobbies of his. He said the trickiest part of the process was the changing light. The transition from day to evening provides an added challenge because you have to adjust the exposure settings.

As we learned from each other, the biggest tip I gave craezer was to speed up his video. In TV land, two minutes is a long clip. An easy remedy would be to use video-editing software – Final Cut or Adobe Premiere – to speed up the frame rate. Voila, the clouds will soar faster and night will descend quicker.

And, for those who want a bigger challenge, you can capture the same scene with multiple cameras set up at different angles. For the record, craezer is experimenting with this idea.

Excellent work, craezer! Thanks for teaching me a thing or two as well. See you next week with more tips.