What Is Time-Lapse? How to Shoot a Time-Lapse Video

Time-lapse is one of the most popular shooting modes among young people today. It lets users create videos that play back faster than real time. So what is time-lapse? Is it easy to make a fast-forward video? Let MONA Media walk you through time-lapse mode in detail, with a very simple guide to shooting it on your phone.

What is time-lapse mode?

Time-lapse (fast-forward mode) is a photography or video technique that records events over a period of time, but when played back they look as if they happened in just a few seconds or minutes. This produces highly artistic videos that catch viewers' attention.

Fast-forward mode comes in 2 forms: time-lapse photography and time-lapse filming. Here is the basic information on both:

• Time-lapse photography means taking a large number of photos in a row, then using software to join them into a short video. It gives higher video quality but takes more time and needs dedicated software.
• Quay Time lapse uses a built-in app to create a video from 24-30 individual frames that can be captured at different moments within one second.

Advantages of choosing time-lapse shooting

Now that you know what time-lapse is, let MONA walk you through why you should use this mode. Time-lapse has clear advantages over other shooting modes. The main ones are:

• Create top-quality videos: Time-lapse video delivers better image quality, with sharp resolution up to 2K, 4K or 5K, looking better than ordinary video.
• Save time and still make an impression: A whole event is condensed into a few minutes, showing only the best and most striking images. This not only saves you time photo editing, and video footage, but also gives the video a more engaging effect.
• More creativity and novelty: Fast-forward shooting opens up creative possibilities, letting you capture scenes that are hard to see with the naked eye, such as moving clouds or the changing light over a day. These are chances to make creative work.
• Striking effects: Time-lapse is not just filming; it comes with many special effects. From lightning to light trails, every moment comes alive, especially in videos of night traffic.

How does time-lapse differ from other shooting modes?

Although there are many shooting modes, time-lapse still gives a different experience and effect. Here are some differences between fast-forward mode and other modes:

≫Further reading: What is slow motion? Notes on slow-motion video mode

When should you use time-lapse fast-forward video?

Time-lapse shooting can be used for many purposes, depending on what the user wants. Here are some common uses of this technique.

Making artistic videos

One of the standout features of time-lapse filming is the ability to make highly artistic videos. With playback faster than real time, natural scenes such as sunrise, sunset or drifting clouds come alive. This produces visually striking videos that catch viewers' attention.

Filming ad videos

Time-lapse mode is also a useful tool for shooting ad videos, also known as quay TVC. When you film a fast-forward video, products and services stand out and leave an impression. This makes an advertising campaign more effective and attracts more potential customers.

MONA Media is one of the leading companies in ad video production, and we are confident in delivering quality, creative and effective work. We have an experienced media team and modern filming equipment, our own studio, and mobile shooting sets for businesses that need them.

If you choose commercial video production package at MONA, we will help you carry out every idea for filming corporate photography, advertising for your business, service communication, product advertising videos, delivering positive messages about your business image.

Contact MONA Media if you need advice on a professional, creative TVC production package

Supporting scientific research

Beyond art and advertising, time-lapse mode is also widely used in scientific research. Recording events over a long period lets scientists analyze natural phenomena or biological processes in detail and accurately.

Making construction progress videos

Time-lapse filming is also widely used in construction to record how a project is built. This helps contractors track and control progress more accurately. Fast-forward video can also be used to promote the project and attract the interest of clients.

Use in education

Time-lapse is also used in education to help students better understand natural phenomena, the animal world and more. Showing a process that takes a long time in just a few minutes or seconds helps students picture and understand abstract concepts more easily.

The simplest guide to making a time-lapse video on a phone

Today, most smartphones support time-lapse video. Shooting it on a phone is simple, but there are a few things to know to get good-looking results. Here is a guide to making a time-lapse video in detail on Android phones and iPhones.

Shooting time-lapse on iPhone

Time-lapse on iPhone is supported from iOS 8 onward. To shoot a time-lapse video on an iPhone, hold the phone horizontally and follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open the Camera on your iPhone and choose TIME-LAPSE mode at the bottom of the screen. Then adjust settings such as focus point, brightness and focus.
• Step 2: Use a tripod or place the phone on a flat surface to avoid shaky footage.
• Step 3: Next, tap the red Record button to start shooting. Recording can run from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your needs.
• Step 4: When you are done, tap the red button again to end the time-lapse recording.

*Note: To shoot time-lapse professionally with the sharpest images, lock the focus by pressing and holding the screen and choosing “AE/AF Lock”. You can also adjust brightness by swiping up or down so the sun icon appears, then set the brightness you want.

≫Explore more: what HDR is? How to shoot beautiful HDR photos and video

How to shoot on Android

Android phones also have a built-in fast-forward feature. However, unlike the iPhone, the time-lapse feature on Android phones is called Hyperlapse. Here is how to shoot time-lapse on Android in detail:

• Step 1: Open the Camera app and choose video mode, then choose Hyperlapse among the video options.
• Step 2: Choose your angle and adjust the brightness, and place the phone somewhere fixed for the whole recording.
• Step 3: After finishing the steps above, tap the red Record button to start the time-lapse video.
• Step 4: Finally, tap Record again when you want to end. The video is saved in the Gallery or File Manager of your Android phone, and you can edit it to get the result you want.

*Note, some older or low-end Android phones may not support time-lapse video. In that case, you can use alternative apps such as Microsoft Hyperlapse, Framelapse or Time Lapse Camera. Shooting with these apps works much the same as the steps above: open the app, choose time-lapse mode, adjust settings such as resolution and frame rate, then start recording.

We hope this article gives you more information and experience to make video Time Lapse that look great and leave an impression. If you are looking for a photography studio, professional filming to support your business communications, MONA Studio is the right choice for you. Do not hesitate; call us on HOTLINE 1900 636 648 for free advice and a quote.