Time-lapse Holy Grail: Get great results with Advanced & Expert Methods

This is an example of what has been called The Holy Grail of Timelapse! In the example videos below, my subject is a clear sky sunset - which is a worst-case-scenario for creating a time-lapse. The sunset transitions from a bright blue sky to darkness, with a bright moon. It’s nearly impossible to get smooth results in these conditions - even the tiniest variation in brightness between frames results in a noticeable flicker.

In the examples, I’ve used this tricky lighting situation to showcase side-by-side the Advanced and Expert Methods in GBTimelapse 3.1. As you’ll see below, GBTimelapse 3.1 delivers awesome results - the smoothest possible time-lapse I’ve been able to achieve. There’s no other tool like this on the market!

•Advanced Method Example

Technical details: Using a Canon T2i with 10-22mm lens, the time-lapse began at f22, 1/15" ISO 100. As the scene darkened, AutoRamp gradually decreased Tv and then switched to bulb mode at 0.7 seconds. From then on, AutoRamp incrementally decreased the Av by 1/3 stop whenever the bulb exposure time increased to 16 seconds. Once the Av reached its minimum value of f3.5, AutoRamp incrementally increased the ISO by one f-stop whenever the bulb exposure time increased to 16 seconds. Once the ISO reached 1600, AutoRamp continued to increase the bulb time to a maximum value of 30 seconds.



In the Advanced Method demo, some flicker occurred in the original time-lapse images due to Tv stepping at the beginning when not in bulb mode. The flicker was easily removed using GBDeflicker.

•Expert Method Example

Technical details: Using a Canon 5D MkII with 16-35mm lens, the time-lapse began at f2.8, 0.5" bulb and ISO 100. Three ND8 filters were stacked on the lens reducing the exposure by 9 f-stops to allow the 0.5" bulb exposure at such a wide aperture. As the scene darkened, AutoRamp gradually increased the bulb exposure time. Whenever the bulb time increased to 10 seconds, I carefully removed one of the ND filters and AutoRamp adjusted the exposure time accordingly. After all three filters were removed, AutoRamp incrementally increased the ISO by one f-stop whenever the bulb exposure time increased to 20 seconds. Once the ISO reached 1600, AutoRamp continued to increase the bulb time to a maximum value of 24 seconds.



In the Expert Method demo, there was virtually no flicker in the original sequence. Absolutely no adjustment of the original images was needed. This is the Time-lapse Holy Grail: a sunset with no flicker!

Stay tuned - upcoming posts will showcase more examples from GBTimelapse 3.1, and will help out with technical details & info.

Basic, Advanced and Expert Methods in GBTimelapse 3.1

GBTimelapse 3.1 gives you new levels of control over your exposure settings. Prior versions of GBTimelapse only had the Basic Method for controlling camera settings. The Basic Method relies on the camera’s program mode, or manual settings, to determine exposure.

Now, Basic is joined by the new Advanced and Expert Methods. These two new methods utilize the AutoRamp feature, giving you more control to produce great time-lapse in changing light conditions.

Three levels of control:

• Basic Method - Set the camera to Program or Manual mode and let GBTimelapse capture the images at a set time-lapse interval. Any flicker can be removed later using GBDeflicker. Ideal for scenes when light isn’t changing, or quick and easy time-lapse. Basic Method is compatible with unattended capture.
• Advanced Method - Use AutoRamp to adjust Av, Tv and ISO and automatically switch from standard Tv settings (at 1/3 f-stop intervals) to bulb exposures (at 0.001 second resolution). Any flicker due to Tv stepping when not using bulb exposures can be removed later using GBDeflicker.
  This gives excellent time-lapse results in most situations, including sunrise and sunset. Great for pros and amateurs alike. The Advanced Method is robust, totally automatic and can be run unattended
  
• Expert Method - Use AutoRamp with neutral density filters during the time-lapse. Filters can be removed during the time-lapse session, as the sun is setting and the scene is getting darker. Or, add filters as the sun is rising and the scene is getting brighter. GBTimelapse adjusts the bulb exposure time when a ND filter is removed, or added. The Expert method requires your timely action to remove or add ND filters as needed during the time-lapse session.
  Flicker is virtually eliminated - AMAZING time-lapse results! This method is for the pro who wants to tinker with detail and achieve the most precise results possible. Because it requires monitoring, Expert Method is not suitable for unattended capture.

My next blog post will show examples of Advanced and Expert Methods in a side-by-side comparison. I’m so pleased to be posting the video - it shows how amazingly smooth and flicker-free your work can be when using Advanced and Expert Methods.