Time-lapse

Time-lapse photography is a cinematography technique whereby each film frame is captured at a rate much slower then it will be played back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. Processes that would normally appear subtle to the human eye, such as motion in the sky, become very pronounced. Time-lapse is the extreme version of the cinematography technique of undercranking.

Related Topics:
Cinematography - Film - Undercranking

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Some classic subjects of timelapse photography include:

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• cloudscapes and celestial motion
• plants growing and flowers opening
• fruit rotting
• evolution of a construction project

The technique has also been used to photograph crowds, traffic, and even television. The effect of photographing a subject that changes imperceptibly slowly, is to create a smooth impression of motion. A subject that is changing quickly already is transformed into an onslaught of activity.

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The first use of time-lapse photography in a feature film was in Georges Méliès' motion picture Carrefour De L'Opera (1897). Time-lapse photography was further pioneered in a series of feature films called Bergfilms (Mountain films) by Arnold Fanck, in the 1920s, including The Holy Mountain (1926). But no filmmaker can be credited for popularizing time-lapse more than John Ott. His cinematography of flowers blooming in such classic documentaries as Walt Disney's Secrets of Life (1956), pioneered the modern use of time-lapse on film and television. The first major usage of time lapse in a feature film was Koyaanisqatsi (1983). The non-narrative film was composed almost entirely from time-lapse of clouds, crowds, and cities lensed by cinematographer Ron Fricke. Countless other films, commercials, TV shows and presentations have included time-lapse. For example, Peter Greenaway's film A Zed & Two Noughts featured a sub-plot involving time-lapse photography of decomposing animals and included a composition called "Time-lapse" written for the film by Michael Nyman. More recently, Adam Zoghlin's time-lapse cinematography was featured in the CBS television series Early Edition, depicting the adventures of a character that receives tomorrow's newspaper today.

Related Topics:
Georges Méliès - 1897 - Mountain film - Arnold Fanck - 1920s - 1926 - John Ott - 1956 - Koyaanisqatsi - 1983 - Ron Fricke - TV - Peter Greenaway - A Zed & Two Noughts - Michael Nyman - CBS - Early Edition

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Time-lapse: How Timelapse Works ►