Creating a Time Lapse Video with Lightroom and Photoshop

Shooting a time lapse video or image can actually be done directly via your digital camera. Many cameras are now built with time lapse mode or have camera settings that can be perfect for time lapse. But with this option, you must know how to control and which settings to choose when it comes to frames per second, frame interval, exposure, shutter speed, and more. This may require you some experience before you can finally get the perfect shot. But an easy way out is by editing your images or videos through software such as Lightroom, Photoshop, LRtimelapse, and a lot more. This way, you can directly see how the edit settings affect the output, so you can just adjust it until you get the timelapse output that you want.

Creating Time Lapse with Lightroom

Save the files of your camera to your computer and do not forget to choose the file format you want to use. Take note that if you transfer a raw file, it results in better quality, and even if it occupies a large storage space, you may want to consider that setup. Choose the images and videos you want to edit and compile them in a folder for organization. Select all the files on that folder and upload them to your Lightroom software.

Select an image, edit and adjust its brightness, contrast, exposure, or color corrections according to your preferences. Afterward, click Control + Shift + C to copy the settings you made on that photo. Select all photos in the folder and past the settings onto it by clicking Control + Shift + V on the keyboard. You may also opt to choose Auto Sync, but the processing time may take longer.

Before continuing, you need to download timelapse presets, there are free versions on the internet. Copy the folder of your downloaded presets and paste it to the user presets of your Lightroom. You can find this folder in the Lightroom Catalog > Lightroom Settings > Develop Presets > User Presets. Once done, refresh your Lightroom and click the “Slideshow” tab. Export the images you want to be included in your timelapse sequence and choose your preferred rate of frames per second (Fps). Fps rate and the number of photos will determine how quick your video will be. Export it now as a video and choose the quality of image/ video resolution that you want (ideal is 1080p with a 16:9 frame ratio). Wait for it to render, and you now have a time lapse video made with Lightroom.

Creating Time Lapse with Photoshop

The steps are almost the same when you create a time lapse in Adobe Photoshop. First thing, you will import your images or video, but with a twist this time. Photoshop starts to edit the photos right from the importing process. Create a folder for your photos and set them in order. Click the first image and check the “image sequence” mark below, then click “open”. This will automatically import your images in an ordered sequence ready for time lapse edit. Choose the frames per second rate in your Photoshop settings and check if you want to make any adjustments via the “timeline” tab. Once done, you may now export your video and pick the format type, and size you want. Render it as well, wait for it to finish, and it will be saved to your computer files.

More Than Just Basics

The tutorial above was all about the basics of assembling a time-lapse with Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. But there are more features that you can use to further amplify your video. One of them is by being able to add motion. This is done by converting your images to a “smart object” which you can find when you right-click the video layer. Options to add motion such as zoom, pan or rotate will appear.

You may also add effects, transitions, or even music. There are lots of adjustments and edits you can actually do with this software, you just have to explore it. Choose to practice creating time-lapse in your free time. Just like the classic quote says, “Practice makes perfect.” Practice edits will surely help you improve your editing skills, and you will be able to create great time-lapse content for your photography gigs in no time.

If you have no images suitable to edit for a time-lapse when you want to practice, you can get still images or videos from sites that provide content such as ActiveX, Realvideo, or RealPlayer. It collects vast amounts of great images, videos, or apps that can be downloaded for free from other partnered networks. This will give you lots of content to choose from for your editing practice.

Shoot Your Own Images

The better option still is to shoot your own images for your time lapse sequence. It is best to shoot with a DSLR camera, an intervalometer, and a tripod to produce great photos. A good lens is also a plus, such as a wide one to capture a scene.