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Create HDR Time-lapse Video With a Digital Camera

Posted by Unknown on Sunday, February 20, 2011

You’ve seen time-lapse video footage. You’ve probably seen High Dynamic Range (HDR) digital photography too, even if you didn’t know it. For the past couple of years I’ve been combining these two bits of digital photo nerdery into one result–HDR time-lapse. Below are some examples of what I’ve produced and how, all with a digital still camera.

HDR shooting

HDR photography has been all the techie rage for the past few years. This article is really about how to shoot it for time-lapse, so check out a great blog called Stuck In Customs to learn the basics of HDR shooting. This Website has several how-to articles on shooting HDR stills with a digital camera that supports automatic bracketing–the ability to shoot a normal exposure, then also automatically shoot additional frames that are over and underexposed.

By using software such as Bracketeer ($30) or Photomatix Pro ($99), you can combine those bracketed shots into a single image that contains the shadow detail from the overexposed shots and the highlight detail from the underexposed shots all in one frame. This offers more shadow and highlight detail (also known as increased dynamic range) in the final image.

Time-lapse shooting

To shoot time-lapse, you’ll need an intervalometer–a device that takes a picture (or a bracketed series) at regular intervals. If your camera doesn’t have one built in, there are hardware intervalometers that plug into many cameras (about $40 and up). There’s also software for the Mac, such as Canon’s EOS Utility that comes free with your camera, that connect to and control the camera via USB. Nikon offers Camera Control Pro 2 for about $150, but it has a 30-day free trial. Breeze Systems offers auto bracketing time-lapse software for many Nikon and Canon DSLRs that lack those features. For extra nerdy points, BlueSLR makes a nifty bluetooth dongle that allows for iPhone remote control, and it plans on adding time-lapse capabilities.

Camera setup

Every camera is a little different, so here are some general steps based on how I set up my Nikon D300S.

1. Set up the composition and focus for the shot.

2. Set the camera to full manual control (white balance, exposure, f-stop, focus).

3. Turn off any image stabilization–you’re on a tripod; you don’t need it, and it’ll introduce its own misalignments.

4. Set baseline exposure, knowing that bracketed shots will gather more highlight and shadow detail.

5. Set the shooting mode to Continuous High, meaning it will rattle off the bracketed shots at its fastest 8 frames per second.

6. Set up the intervalometer appropriately (see below), start it up, and keep out of the shot!

Frame size and format

The camera raw format provides the best looking image, but it takes up the most space and takes the longest to record to the card. JPEG format can be smaller in pixel dimensions as well as file size, fitting more frames onto your image card faster–better for more bracketed shots per set and longer final movies. Unless you’re a pro, you’ll probably be satisfied with JPEGs–even at roughly 2000 pixels across, that is plenty of resolution to make a decent looking 1920-by-1080 HD video.

How many shots should you bracket and how much exposure variation should you use? Most cameras that bracket only allow for three shots, and most will allow two or perhaps three stops of latitude at most between each shot. Two stops is usually a pretty good spacing if you can only take three shots. More shots means more and finer dynamic range capture.

I make sure to set my shooting interval for longer than it takes to shoot and record each set of bracketed frames to the camera’s card. This is important because if the next set of shots begins before the last set is done recording, Things Go Wrong. So use a stopwatch to time how long it takes to shoot and finish recording a bracketed set, and then set the interval to something longer than that. Also, it’s essential to set the shots per set to the same number as in the bracketing controls, otherwise you’ll end up with a mess of misbracketed, mismatched shots.

How long should you set the interval for? The shorter you set it, the slower the subject (such as the sun or clouds) will move through frame. The longer an interval, the faster the subject will move across the frame, and the shorter your final movie will be.

Making HDR frames: Batch time

OK, now you’ve got a big pile of bracketed shots–what do you do with them? Batch ‘em! After you separate out your bracketed shots into their own folder on your Mac, both Bracketeer and Photomatix Pro allow batch mode operation. In batch mode, you tell the software how many shots in each bracket, point it to the folder where the frames are, tweak your settings, and the software will crank out HDR merged shots. Slowly. I often run these overnight. Bracketeer is dirt simple, inexpensive, provides satisfactory results, and is a good place to start–but it is very, very slow. Photomatix Pro is more expensive, but it’s faster, offers far more options and control, and if tweaked correctly, can generate nicer looking results.

Making a movie

Either way, you now have subfolders with a bunch of still images. There are many ways to turn those stills into a QuickTime movie, but here’s two to start.

Easy: In QuickTime Player Pro 7, choose File -> Open Image Sequence. Set a frame rate for playback, and once opened, you can Export As QuickTime Movie in the size and codec you want.

Advanced: Bring the shots into Adobe After Effects as an Image Sequence. Then place the sequence in a 1080p HD timeline to scale, crop, zoom, and/or pan as desired. Then render out to ProRes4444 (lossy video compression format) or whatever format you want for further work in Apple’s Final Cut Pro and/or Color, or tool of your choice. If you know how to use Apple’s Motion, you can do the same kinds of things with that program.

From there, edit and color correct your creation to your satisfaction. I’ve been doodling with this technology for a while. To get an idea of what you can do with it, check out my video below.

Mike’s 10-25-2010 HDR timelapse reel from Mike Curtis on Vimeo.

Mike Curtis has been pushing pixels for a living for more than two decades, and currently consults on Final Cut Studio and other post production issues in Santa Monica, California. He writes for Macworld, his own HDforIndies site, and ProVideoCoalition.com.

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Taking Care of Your Digital Camera

Posted by Unknown on Friday, January 21, 2011

Did you get a new camera over the holidays? I did. I am quite excited about my new Nikon D7000, which was my “big present” on Christmas morning. If, like me, you have a shiny new camera to play with, here are some things you can do to get the most out of it. And while you’re preparing to get the most out of digital photography this new year, be sure to read about five photo editing techniques you should definitely explore this year.

Read the Manual

This one should be obvious–so why do so few people read the user guide that comes with their camera? There’s nothing wrong with experimenting with your camera and figuring stuff out on our own, but at some point in your first month with the camera, I highly encourage you to read the manual. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do that, though, and I daresay most people don’t get as much out of the manual as they should. Here’s my recommended approach.

Block out some distraction-free time and sit down with a cup of hot chocolate, the camera, a pen, and the user guide. Scan the guide page by page. You don’t have to read every word–in fact, reading it too meticulously will put you to sleep. As you start each section, quickly get a sense of whether you know how to use the feature being discussed. If yes, move on. If not, read about it and then immediately pick up the camera and try it out. If you actually try the feature with your own hands, you’ll stand a much better chance of understanding it and remembering it when you need it.

When you encounter a new feature you didn’t know how to use, write notes on the inside cover of the user guide. That’s your cheat sheet, so you don’t have to scan the whole book to look up how to format a memory card or change the metering pattern. Heck, you might even want to make notes about why you’d use an interesting-but-obscure-sounding feature like “flash compensation.” And enjoy your hot chocolate.

Upgrade the Lens

If you are the proud owner of a new digital SLR, I encourage you to think about expanding your lens collection. One of the biggest benefits of using an SLR is the interchangeable lens system that lets you switch focal lengths to suit the situation. I have three lenses: A 105mm macro lens for close-up nature photography, an all-purpose 18-200mm “walking around lens,” and a 400mm telephoto for situations in which I need to pull in distant objects.

Take a good look at the lens that came with your SLR, generally known as a “kit lens” (because it comes in the box with your SLR body, as part of a kit). It’s probably not a bad lens, but nor is it especially great. You can expand your photographic possibilities by buying a faster lens. Your kit’s fastest aperture is probably between f3/5 and f/5.6, which really limits your options when shooting indoors or in low light. Look for an f/2 lens instead. Be sure to read “Demystifying Lenses” and, for more tips, check out “Understanding Camera Lens Model Numbers.”

Get a Carrying Case

How do you care for your camera? For starters, put it in a carrying case. A padded, appropriately sized case can help you keep the camera clean and protected. It lets you collect various accessories (spare memory cards, AC adapter, USB cable, extra lenses) in a single easy-to-find place. My favorite use for a carrying case: I can easily delegate Sherpa duties to my kids and trust they can carry my camera gear without dropping anything. Keep It Clean and Dry

If you get a case, you’re well along the way to keeping your new camera clean and dry. Remember that the vast majority of cameras sold–even if they look like rugged tanks–are not designed to withstand exposure to harsh environments. They definitely, are not waterproof (unless you get one of a handful of water resistant models) so don’t even think about taking pictures in the water. Rain counts: Don’t expose your camera to a storm. If you want to shoot outdoors in bad weather, get a rain cover for your camera–there are a lot of inexpensive coverings you can find just by searching the Web for “digital camera rain cover.”

Don’t Use Canned Air

You’ll want to keep your camera clean, but resist the urge to pick up a can of canned air at the local camera shop. Canned air can be dangerous to cameras, especially if you are not exceedingly careful. For example, if you shake a can of canned air, you can end up squirting propellant all over your camera and lens. Canned air can also force air and dust into parts of the camera that aren’t airtight, which can eventually contaminate the sensor. My advice: Get a good lens cloth and brush, and leave the canned air in the store.

Turn It Off

Finally, here’s some advice you don’t hear very often, but it’s good to keep in mind: Turn your camera off before you do anything to it. Changing lenses, swapping memory cards, connecting or disconnecting cables–all of these activities are best done with the camera powered off. If your camera is on and actively writing to the memory card, for example, you can ruin the card by removing it. Likewise, swapping lenses with the camera powered on makes it somewhat more likely that you’ll attract dust to the sensor. It’s a small and easy thing to, so get in the habit of turning off the camera when you’re about to add or remove anything.

Hot Pic of the Week

Get published, get famous! Each week, we select our favorite reader-submitted photo based on creativity, originality, and technique.

Here’s how to enter: Send us your photograph in JPEG format, at a resolution no higher than 640 by 480 pixels. Entries at higher resolutions will be immediately disqualified. If necessary, use an image editing program to reduce the file size of your image before e-mailing it to us. Include the title of your photo along with a short description and how you photographed it. Don’t forget to send your name, e-mail address, and postal address. Before entering, please read the full description of the contest rules and regulations.

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mobileshop.com.cy : Spy Camera Keyring Keychain Instruction Video (DV14) 2GB 4GB 8GB

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Buy it at the best price from www.mobileshop.com.cy . This keyring has a hidden camera in the front which you can activate by pressing the button. You can easily record video and take photos without anyone noticing. The video is very high quality 640 x 480 pixels at 30fps. Photos are 1280 x 960 pixels. All you have to do is record, then attach it to your computer’s USB port to download the video. Watch this video which shows instructions (user manual) on how the spy keyring works and how to use it.

GSI World’s Smallest/Lightest, Digital Camera, Ultra Video Camcorder, Voice Recorder, Webcam, 2gb Built in Memory – Red

Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, December 21, 2010

High resolution 3.0 MP Camera, Webcam, DVRCaptures crystal clear ultra video, & video outputBuilt in 620MAH battery, lasts up to 4 hoursSupports TF card, MAX 32gbAs small as a finger, a great Spy gadget

This ultra cool gadget is designed as a Camera/Camcorder/Voice recorder/Webcam all built into one tiny sleek device that will disappear into the palm of your hand. Use it as your personal Camera, or as a Spy camera.

Rating:

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Finding Cheapest Digital Camera

Posted by Unknown on Monday, December 20, 2010

by drivebybiscuits1

The latest technology has brought a pool of high end gadgets in the market. One of the most amazing is the digitally enhanced camera which has several options and amazing looks. Maybe you will be more excited about this camera is now available at economical prices.

If you visit several shopping sites, you will find a list of the cheapest digital camera with discount rates and interesting offers. These digitally enhanced gadgets have a few options to improve image quality. In fact, an old SLR camera has now been updated with digitally enhanced options which leave a wide choice to enhance your creativity and user friendly.

What makes this gadget outstanding is its price range which is relatively cheaper compared to the number of other options that it has and the picture quality. The Dakota digital single use camera is the cheapest digital camera. This is a $ 10.99 value and is only a rental. You can use the Dakota camera and bring it back to the store where they process the images and make you CD too.

They then refurnish camera and rent it to the next person. The camera has a popular ring to it. It works the same way as at one time film camera made by Kodak and other companies, unless it is a camera. You just pick it up and drop it off when you finish. That costs an additional fee of $ 10.99 for processing still making it the cheapest digital camera that is not disposable anywhere.

This camera has 12 MB of internal memory with a 1.3 megapixel CMOS sensor. The camera does take twenty-five images. Only one that cannot be done by this camera that is can not process the pictures yourself on your home computer. Therefore this can only be done at the store where you buy or rent a camera. If you prefer a cheapest digital camera that you can save and use repeatedly, you’ll enjoy the Keychain digital for $ 13.78. This camera is only 10 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches.

So, it does fit on the keychain rather nicely. Taking pictures is easy enough but not if you have big fingers. Another camera for $ 16.98 is video / digital keychain digital camera. Most of cheapest digital camera has become favorite among the people for a long list of features and easy operational facilities.

Most of the children depended solely on their limited pocket money and hence cannot afford to purchase expensive goods. In addition to the latest SLR, this camera also has high-end features that have attracted non-professional and professional photographers.

For example, a digital camera provides excellent picture output with the help of 3.2 Mega Pixels CMOS Sensor. This camera has a classy exterior with a high resolution TFT screen, which will certainly impressive for both children and adults. If you need to find the best deal of camera anywhere, you can look for at local retail stores and drug stores for the keychain cameras.

The quality of picture is all right, but you do not want to use it to take pictures of special events. This camera is more suited for scenery shots that do not have details. Searching bargains on cameras is easy, but sometimes can take time especially if you make a bad purchase choice. Make sure you get value for your money.

Vita Merisia comes from Bangka Belitung. She began writing about electronic product several years ago. You may want to check out her other guide Buy Canon Digital Camera tips, and Buy Laptop Computers guide!