Photographers are getting more and more creative with the techniques they use and how they use them. For example, hyperlapse footage is now playing a major role in timelapse photography, and pros like Patrick Cheung are helping to pioneer exciting new hyperlapse techniques. In the clip below, Patrick and Kai let us in on some of their secrets to help us get started:
Hyperlapse Tips & Tricks
In the first half of the clip, Kai shared some great pointers on getting good hyperlapse footage. For example:
- Find a reference point in the center of your composition and keep it in the center for each shot you take. As you move your camera along to get each shot, re-frame each image using the same reference point. This will help ensure that you get a steady and consistent look in your finished product.
- For hyperlapse, you will be moving your tripod ever so slightly between each shot. It’s crucial that you measure the same distance for each shot. You can use a measuring tape, or if you’re lucky enough to have some sort of measurement tool present in your shooting location you can use that. For example, Kai was shooting on a tiled floor, so he simply moved one tile over between each shot.
- Pay attention to leg placement on your tripod, make sure you are consistent with placement, otherwise your footage will look choppy.
Creating a Hyperlapse Sequence Patrick Cheung Style
Patrick uses a monopod with feet.
Patrick uses a slightly different approach to catching his signature style hyperlapse clips. For starters, he prefers working with a monopod on which he attaches feet. This allows him to navigate more quickly—an important factor considering the length of time it takes to create just one of his clips.
One of hundreds of stills used to make the final hyperlapse clip.
There are similarities between to the two approaches and styles of hyperlapse footage. Both Kai’s and Patrick’s techniques require a lot of patience and small, tedious movements. However, like any type of photography, hyperlapse can become easier as long as you are willing to put in the work and get some practice under your belt.
Like This Article?
Don't Miss The Next One!
Join over 100,000 photographers of all experience levels who receive our free photography tips and articles to stay current:
Metering occurs when a camera attempts to set an automatic exposure value for images taken under different light settings. This is the reason why when you take a photo of a bright scene the image is darker than that of the naked eye and vice versa. For manual operation, a small button denoted as +/- can be found next to the shutter. It is used either to decrease or increase the camera’s default reading in order to take account of the correct scene brightness.