How to Make a Time-Lapse Video: 2 Easy Ways

Making time-lapse videos is a fun way to capture not just a moment, but a duration of the past. Whether you’re looking to use a high-powered camera and create a picture time-lapse or prefer the more straight-forward video lapse process, we’ll show you how to make a time-lapse video using your preferred electronic device.

Our special pick for both video time-lapse and to turn photos into time-lapse video is Movavi Video Editor. Movavi’s powerful editing tool processes media files in popular formats, makes editing video and image files easy, and compresses time-lapse projects into high-quality, easily exportable projects.

Paired with a modern and intuitive interface as well as a free trial version, it's hard to go wrong with Movavi to make a timelapse video.

What is time-lapse recording exactly? Although you hear the term “time-lapse video” thrown around often, time-lapse recording, or time-lapse photography, is a hybrid of animation, still photography, and videography. Depending on your device, subject matter, and skill-level, there are different ways to create time-lapse video from both photos and sped-up video footage.

Shooting a time-lapse video either way requires preparation. Once you’ve determined what you want to record, then you need to ensure you have the right tools, as well as understand how to use those tools to create an aesthetic time-lapse shot.

Consider the tips below our “timelapse how to” guide. If you decide to skip over the other sections, at least make sure you read this tutorial about how to shoot time-lapse so you can shoot and produce yours like a pro.

Some subjects commonly chosen for shooting a time-lapse video include sunrises, sunsets, storms, and other natural phenomena. Yet don’t let these popular time-lapse topics deter you from being creative.

Time affects everything, so let your imagination run wild.

Do you want to see how long it takes for a glass of water to naturally evaporate? How about literally watching grass grow in a time-lapse video?

Once you have a subject for your time-lapse shot, you can start assembling the right gear for the job.

Here’s a list to start you thinking about ideas for recording a video with time-lapse effects:

• Sunrises or sunsets

• Clouds moving across the horizon

• City lights at night

• Plants growing

• Fruit ripening or decomposing

• Construction (buildings, backyards, etc.)

• Drawing or other creative processes that require time

• Opening of flower buds

• Clear, starry nights

• Beautiful natural landscapes

• Dust accumulating on a windowsill

• Seasonal changes (trees, foliage, etc.)

• Storm clouds and lightning storms

Have a subject or range of subjects in mind? Then it’s time to assess what equipment you may already have, and what you might want to purchase in order to achieve time-lapse shooting success.

Here’s a list of tech (hardware and software) that can help you make a time-lapse video. Each piece of hardware includes pros of using it, tips for taking the best shots, and software you can use together for the best results:

DSLR cameras are your best bet if you’re serious about making a professional-grade time-lapse video. Being able to change lenses for different needs (like a lens with a fast aperture for night photography, or a wider lens for spectacular landscape time-lapses) provides flexibility, and DSLR cameras simply have more megapixels than smartphones.

Pros:

• Can shoot high-resolution photos in RAW format

• Adjustable settings, interchangeable lenses

Tips:

• Buy an intervalometer (a device that presses the camera shutter at preset intervals)

• Turn off autofocus and focus manually

• Recommended shutter speed: 30-50

• Recommended aperture: F4-F8

Smartphones have come a long way since the first generation of iPhones. The camera quality on these devices now far surpass earlier digital cameras, and because most people keep their phone on them at all times, creating a short time-lapse video on a casual day out is straightforward.

Not interested in separating from your phone for too long? Use an old smartphone you have lying around to create your time-lapse instead (just make sure it doesn’t run out of charge).

Pros:

• Easy-to-use

• Always on hand

• Probably don’t need to buy a device

Tips:

• Most newer Samsung, LG, and HTC phones running Android OS, as well as iPhones have time-lapse capabilities built in, so try them out

• If you’re using an iPhone, you can edit video directly in the Photos app (which is handy because it’s already on your phone)

• Download a time-lapse app (like Hyperlapse, Lapse It, or Movavi Clips which supports speed changes). These apps generally make it easier to both modify and create time-lapse videos

• Keep your phone charged with either a portable battery or by keeping it near an outlet

GoPros are a fun way for people who love outdoor action to shoot video and take pictures.

Although shooting time-lapse photos frame-by-frame on a GoPro maxes out around 3 hours on a fully charged battery, GoPros are still a fun alternative to a DSLR camera and your phone because they’re so weather resilient and include some interesting additional features.

Pros:

• Cheaper than buying a smartphone or a middle-to-high level DSLR camera

• Compact and convenient

• Waterproof

Tips:

• Select Multi-shot mode

• Use GoPro’s Time-lapse mode

• Reduce the resolution to 7 megapixels (to save space)

There are two main methods for creating a time-lapse video.

1. Shooting a video and speeding it up.

2. Creating a video from photos taken at intervals over a period of time.

Making a time-lapse video with this technique is straightforward: record a video over whatever period of time you want, open your video file in a video editing application, and then speed up the footage 3x or more.

Depending on how fast you want the objects in your video to be moving or how long you want your finished video to be, you can adjust the speed as desired.

With the right editing software you’ll be able to adjust resolutions, zoom in and out of certain sections, overlay music, and customize your time-lapse video in other interesting ways.

Considered the more complicated albeit more professional method of creating the time-lapse effect, you can take photos snapped over a duration of time and assemble a time-lapse video from hundreds (or thousands) of still images.

You may ask: “Why should I bother with taking so many photos when I can just record a video using the first method?” Well, there are at least three good reasons it may be worth your time (depending on how pro you’re trying to go):

1. Better quality. Your final result will look good even if made with consumer-grade equipment because of the high resolution of the photos. With video, your resolution will be lower.

2. Less of a drain on your memory card. Videos can be space hogs, especially if you’re shooting in 4K for a long time (3-5 hours). Still photos will require less space, and demand fewer computer resources for post-production.

3. Entertainment. There’s something novel and debatably arcane about stitching photos together to produce a time-lapse video. Why not give it a shot and see for yourself?

Before you dive in, here’s a list of general recommendations for creating a good time-lapse video:

• Use a stable tripod that won’t wobble.

• Use large-capacity memory cards – you’ll need a lot of space.

• Think about battery life beforehand if you’re preparing to shoot a long take.

• Familiarize yourself with post-production software so you can turn your video or collection of stills into a fully realized time-lapse experience.

Not sure which app or software to use for post production? Check out Movavi Video Editor, which you can download and use for free on PC or Mac. Read on and we’ll walk you through how to use it to produce and finalize your first (or newest) time-lapse video.

Creating the time-lapse effect is easy with a video clip. All you need to do is speed it up, make a couple slight adjustments, and you’ll soon have your own time-lapse video.

Here’s how to create time-lapse using a video file within Movavi Video Editor in 5 easy steps:

Turning photos into a time-lapse video can lead to some stunning results.

If you have a powerful camera, you can create a time-lapse video by taking shots at predetermined intervals over a duration of time. While it’s not impossible to take these pictures manually, you’re best off using both a tripod, and an intervalometer if your device doesn’t have a setting that allows it to automatically snap photos.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how to create a time-lapse video by simply using high-resolution photos:

Although making time-lapse with a powerful camera is your best bet if you’re looking for professional quality, smartphones can still get the job done (and you’re much more likely to have one handy).

Here’s a list of the best time-lapse applications for both iPhone and Android devices:

Movavi App for iPhone boasts a 4.7 / 5 star rating with over 9,100+ reviews on the App Store, and for good reason. This free software can help you do more than just make time-lapse video – you can also use it to cut, merge, and crop video files, as well as add and adjust audio.

You can even easily add transitions to your time-lapse, and the app supports 10 different languages.

Hyperlapse from Instagram is Instagram’s free and fun time-lapse application for smartphone users. It features automatic stabilization, which makes life a lot easier for anyone who doesn’t have a tripod or stable surface available when they want to shoot their video.

Lapse It is another powerful time-lapse app that’s capable of handling 4K, ultra high definition images and turning them into stunning time-lapse videos. Its subscription is a reasonable $4.99 per year, and also offers the option of taking stop-motion video as well.

Movavi App for Android is simply the Android version of the same powerful video manipulation tool popular among iOS users. Change the aspect ratios of your videos, speed them up to create the time-lapse effect, and adjust audio and video settings with Clips’ clean and intuitive interface.

Framelapse is a frequently updated Android app that specializes in time-lapse production. It allows you to take photos at intervals you can adjust, lets you manipulate frame rates and zoom plus auto-zoom, and supports both the front and back camera of your Android phone.

Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile is Microsoft’s step into the mobile time-lapse application niche. It provides many of the mainstay features (high definition support, speed adjustment, automatic stabilization) seen on other comparable apps, but user-reported bugs indicate you should brace yourself for issues should they arise.

Regardless of your smartphone or operating system, here’s a quick look into making time-lapse on your preferred mobile device:

Current iterations of iPhones have time-lapse built into their cameras, so first check to see if your iPhone model supports time-lapse by going into the camera app.

Do you see Time-lapse in the shooting options above your shutter? If so:

1. Hit Time-lapse.

2. Press the red recording button to begin (make sure you have a stable surface, your video will turn out better).

3. Press the button once you’re done.

You then have a new time-lapse video to enjoy (albeit raw, without edits or audio additions).

If you’re running an older iPhone:

1. Download a time-lapse application in the App Store.

2. Follow any instructions laid out within the app to create a time-lapse video.

3. Give your phone time to record the shot.

4. Turn off the app once it’s been a long enough duration.

If you’re using a newish Samsung, LG, or HTC device, you can take time-lapse videos directly from within your camera app. If you’re using one of these smartphones:

1. Locate the hyperlapse or time-lapse setting on your camera.

2. Adjust the speed (you should see some type of time icon).

3. Start the time-lapse video (preferably leaving your phone in a stable position, you probably don’t want to stand around holding your phone for hours at a time).

If you’re using a different Android smartphone, here’s how to quickly make a time-lapse video (note that the newer your device is, the better quality your video will be):

1. Download your preferred app from the Play Store.

2. Follow the instructions within the app on how to create your first time-lapse video.

3. Set your device someplace safe where you can leave it over an extended period.

4. Turn off the recording after the desired amount of time has elapsed.

Time-lapse videos are a fun way to highlight a different perspective of the world. Seeing the passing of a day in two minutes, or the movement of clouds on a billowy afternoon in mere seconds, are both experiences that simply weren’t possible in the past. Today, you can capture these moments with the phone in your pocket.

Whether you prefer the process of stitching together high-definition pictures and using a video editor to tie them all together or want to shoot hyper-lapse video on your Samsung Galaxy S9, there’s no right or wrong way to shoot time-lapse – it simply depends on you, your equipment, and your imagination.