What a time lapse is
A time lapse is a sequence of photos taken at regular intervals over a long period, then played back at normal speed so slow changes, such as clouds, crowds or a sunset, appear to move quickly. The core idea is simple, but a consistent result depends on planning and locked-down settings.
Plan the subject and length
Good subjects change visibly over minutes or hours: moving clouds, traffic, tides, construction, stars or plants growing. Pick a composition that works as a still frame, because every frame needs to look good. Decide how long the finished clip should be and how long you can shoot. Use a tripod, and think about what will move in the frame and in which direction.
The maths: interval, shots and playback
Three numbers are linked:
- Playback length (seconds) = number of frames / playback frame rate
- Number of frames = playback length x frame rate
- Shooting time = number of frames x interval
Example: a 10-second clip at 24 fps needs 240 frames. At a 5-second interval, that is 1,200 seconds of shooting, or 20 minutes.
How long is a 30-minute video in time lapse? It depends on the interval and playback frame rate. If you shoot for 30 minutes at a 2-second interval, you capture 900 frames, which is about 37.5 seconds at 24 fps. At a 5-second interval you capture 360 frames, about 15 seconds at 24 fps. If you mean a 30-minute finished video, you would need many hours of footage or a very short interval.
Typical intervals vary by subject: roughly a second or two for fast clouds or traffic, longer for slow subjects such as shadows or construction. Treat these as starting points and test.
Gear
- A sturdy tripod.
- An intervalometer (built into many cameras, or an external remote).
- A fully charged battery or external power, and enough memory card space.
- Optionally an ND filter for slow shutter speeds in daylight.
Camera settings
Aim to remove anything that changes between frames:
- Manual exposure. Set aperture, shutter speed and ISO yourself to reduce flicker. For changing light such as sunsets, advanced shooters adjust gradually (often called ramping), which takes practice.
- Manual focus. Focus, then switch autofocus off so it does not hunt.
- Fixed white balance. Avoid auto.
- Fixed aperture. Some lenses change aperture slightly between shots, which can cause flicker. Test your lens before a long shoot.
- Turn off image stabilisation when on a tripod, if your lens manual recommends it.
- Shutter speed: A slower shutter adds motion blur to moving subjects, which looks smoother. The video idea of a shutter about double the frame rate is a common reference. See our DSLR video settings guide for the logic.
- File format: JPEG is lighter; raw gives more editing flexibility but needs more storage.
Set up step by step
- Place the camera on the tripod and compose the shot.
- Set manual exposure, focus and white balance.
- Take a test shot and check exposure and sharpness.
- Set the interval on the intervalometer and the number of frames.
- Check the battery and card space.
- Start, and avoid bumping the tripod.
Shooting
Take a few test frames and review them before leaving the camera. Protect gear from weather and wind, and consider hanging a bag from the tripod for stability if conditions allow.
Assemble the video
Import the image sequence into video editing software, or dedicated time lapse software, set the frame rate (commonly 24 or 30 fps) and export. Light correction and deflicker tools can help with minor brightness variation. Choose a resolution that matches your final delivery.
Time lapse on a phone
Many phones have a built-in time lapse mode in the camera app. On Samsung phones it is typically found under the “More” options in the camera, but menu names vary by model and software version, so check yours. Phones pick the interval automatically in many cases. Use a tripod or stable surface, lock exposure and focus if the app lets you, and make sure there is enough battery and storage.
FAQ
What is the 20 60 20 rule in photography? It is not a widely recognised standard rule, and a consistent definition is hard to confirm. Some sources use it informally in other contexts, so check the source before relying on it.
How do I set up a time lapse? Compose on a tripod, use manual settings, choose an interval from the maths above, and shoot. For general video exposure ideas, see the cinema camera settings guide.