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HDR Timelapse Craze in Hi Def

I just recently learned of HDR.  Soon after that, I discovered HDR Timelapse.  I was very intrigued.  So with all things that intrigue me, I invested and am still investing in getting my own HDR Timelapse rig.

My HDR Rig
You might be wondering what goes in an HDR Timelapse rig.  At it’s basic level, it’s not all that complicated.  In fact, all you need for timelapse photography is a camera that has a way to take pictures at certain time intervals.  For example, every 3 seconds the camera automatically takes a picture.  Many digital point and shoot cameras even have this feature.

Canon XTI
I wanted a camera that I could use for timelapse as well as for more advanced photo shoots but that wouldn’t break the bank so I invested a few hundred dollars into a Canon XTI.  My friend Ryan had this camera so I felt comfortable with the quality that it produced.

You Need an Intervalometer
For timelapse in general this camera does not come with an intervalometer built in (activates the shutter at set intervals).  This is easily fixed by purchasing a 3rd party intervalometer.  I bought mine off of ebay by searching for canon xti TC-80N3.  I got a foreign knockoff for around $45 – 50.  The reviews that I have read have all been positive.  So instead of buying the expensive Canon version, you can save a bunch of money by purchasing a Hong Kong rip off that is just as good.

AEB – The HDR part
The second part of the HDR Timelapse setup is for the digital camera to have Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB).  This is specific to HDR as you need multiple exposures to blend together.  The Canon XTI has this in its menu option.  AEB allows the photograph to pick the interval of the F-stop that the camera takes 3 pictures with.  Using this along with the built in Timer will allow the TC-80N3 knock off to trigger the Built in Timer.  Once it counts down it then takes 3 pictures and predetermined exposure intervals.

Post Processing is a Huge Part
After you have taken your desired amount of pictures, you can then batch process these images using a program such as Photomatix.  Once these are all turned into HDR, you can simply all these to your favorite video editing program as an image sequence at 30 frames per second, which is the standard viewing frame rate.  You now have a stunning HDR timelapse.  And the great thing about this is, you have plenty of resolution to make this Hi Def.  Upload to your favorite video sharing service such as Vimeo, BlipTv, Youtube, etc.

Of course, I haven’t done this yet.  For me it is currently all in theory and what I have studied from others.  So don’t take my word for it.  Read up on timelapse and go produce some stunning HD video.

I’ll be posting my sequences soon!  What do you think?  Are you intrigued yet?

Tags | 400D, canon, hdr, hi def, Photography, timelapase