The Best Interval Settings for Timelapse and Themes

September 16, 2021

How long should your timelapse be and how long should you shoot for?

The Best Interval Settings for Time-lapse and Themes. Fine Art Photography by South African Nature Photographer Ramon Fritz

How long should your timelapse be and how long should you shoot for?

Shooting timelapses can create a huge number of files depending on the length of shoot. Therefore, it stands to reason that for the same period, that is 1 hr, shooting at 15 or 30 sec gaps is going to generate between 240 and 120 images probably at high resolution. Be sure to have enough disk space before you get started as there is nothing more frustrating than running out of space mid-timelapse. I recommend at least 128GB for one shoot.

Equipment and settings play a huge role too. In my experience, using a full-frame DSLR camera and shooting timelapses for lengthy periods can result in hot pixels as a result of an overheated sensor. These are tiny red dots on your image easily dealt with in post-production but can be annoying. To avoid this, see a couple of articles that may give oyu some insight but best to keep timelapses as short as possible and/or well spaced to allow for overheating. I now have a mirrorless camera and to date have not experienced this issue.

Below is a great tutorial by Adam from First Man Photography

How to choose a time-lapse Interval

Below are some interval examples to get you started:

1 second

Moving traffic
Fast moving clouds

1 — 3 seconds

Sunsets
Sunrises
Slower moving clouds
Crowds
Moon and sun near horizon
Things photographed with a telephoto (a telephoto magnifies any movement and so you should not shoot with a long interval).

15 — 30 plus second intervals

Moving shadows
Sun across sky (no clouds — wide angle)
Stars (15 — 60 seconds)
Construction projects (5min — 15min)

I make plenty of mistakes, so don’t expect to get it right first time and don’t get bogged down in the detail. Keep trying and experimenting and you’ll find what works for you and the subject you’re shooting. The above is only a guide and do your calculations and you’ll be set. To help with calculations, you may also want to try an app from PACKAFoMA — (disclaimer: I do not endorse this app, it is only a recommendation and you should do your homework when downloading or purchasing apps).