Hit with writer's block, I decided I needed to go out and create my own inspiration. My dad and I have been wanting to put together what is known as a hyperlapse, which is a type of time-lapse photography. A hyperlapse is a collection of images put together to create a video. The process is similar to a stop-motion film, with about 25 frames creating one second of video. When creating a hyperlapse, the camera is moved between each shot. To ensure the end result is stable and smooth, the camera must be focused on a fixed point for each shot. Most people choose to photograph scenery, documenting the motion of the landscape and environment. However, some choose a more interactive route by adding human subjects to the photos.
In our hyperlapse, my younger sister and I were the subjects. A few key aspects of our production needed to be hammered out beforehand. The first is what we, the subjects, would be doing in the photos. We wanted to make the motions interesting, instead of assuming a single stance for the entirety of the video. (This method may come across as a bit simplistic and boring). When we had a rough idea of what we wanted to do, we had to choose a location. The ideal setting would have a marked pathway, making it easier to move the exact distance designated between each shot. We tried to find a sidewalk comprised of bricks, but when we did it was crowded with tents for an event taking place. After driving around town for about 45 minutes, our options were dwindling. Finally I suggested the local nature trail, which has nice scenery, along with long stretches of path. A long stretch of path is necessary because you move the camera between each shot, and you need quite a few photos to create a long enough video. Though the nature trail did not have a marked pathway, we improvised by using our feet to measure how far to step and move the camera.
Once we had the details worked out, the fun commenced. My sister was the first subject, standing approximately eight feet away from the camera. My dad used his Nikon D5200, equipped with a monopod for added stability. The subject (my sister, then myself) moved one step forward for each shot, as the camera was moved one step back. 324 shots later, we had a whopping 40 seconds of video. Though the process requires quite a bit of patience, the end result is interesting and worthwhile. I am excited to start brainstorming for our next hyperlapse, and look forward to seeing what we create. If you have some spare time and a camera, it's an amusing and fairly simple activity to undertake. Check out our hyperlapse below to see what we created.
