Creating a Time Lapse: GoPro Style

Time Lapse videos are super fun to make and relatively simple provided the proper equipment. GoPro cameras are perfect for shooting time lapse footage due to the small size. Because they are so small, they can be easily hid and left in one spot for a lengthy period of time without worry of someone finding and stealing the camera. In this post 5 tips for making a time lapse with a GoPro will be discussed. Please leave comments on how you enjoy shooting time lapse footage with your GoPro!

1. Movement Matters

The focus of your video should be on an area of terrain with objects are consistently moving. The whole purpose of time lapse footage is to capture long progressions of movement in a short period of time. Good subjects would include sunsets/sunrises, densely populated areas, automobiles, and changes in weather. In the end, make sure the movements of your subject are numerous enough to keep the attention and interest of your audience.

2. Vary Variety

Keep a healthy variety within in the kinds of footage you shoot. The general theme of the video should be consistent, but at the same time not boring. Be creative in the locations from which you film. Once again, you need to make your time lapses unique and created, otherwise they will put your audience to sleep.

3. Placement Pointers

Where you put your GoPro is very important. You want to make sure the very is good, but if you plan on leaving your camera unwatched, try to disguise the location of your camera. One of the advantages of using a GoPro is that they can be disguised very easily. When disguising your camera be sure the blinking red light which signals when the camera is recording is turned off. I have seen that there are several websites that offer camouflage skins which can be placed on the GoPro housing to increasing its invisibility.

4.Musical Magic

The music you use in your time lapse video should be appropriate for the theme involved with your video. For instance, scenery time lapse videos usually contain a piano accompaniment. Make sure the music promotes feelings similar to the visuals being shown. The music needs to compliment the time lapse instead of detracting from it. 

5. Blending Blurs

A cool feature which some people put in their time lapse videos is called Tilt Shift. It involves inserting horizontal blurs on the top and bottom of the shot using editing software. The result creates an illusion that the picture is farther away the subject seems to be smaller.