#construction timelapse

Timelapse videos offer a captivating storytelling technique. By condensing photo sequences into a fast playback, they enable us to manipulate time and delve into the mesmerising realms of natural processes and movements that often go unnoticed by the naked eye. They also allow us to elongate fleeting moments of action, providing a comprehensive understanding of the scene at hand.

Here at Studio52, we’ve plenty of work with timelapse videos behind us and have decided to share the knowledge! 

In this comprehensive guide, we unveil the secrets to capturing enchanting timelapse footage and share expert tips for the best results. Join us on this journey as we unlock the art of creating hypnotic timelapse videos.

What Is a Timelapse?

A timelapse video is a masterpiece composed of a multitude of carefully captured images. These individual snapshots, taken over an extended period, are artfully intertwined to create an immersive video experience. 

Through this captivating art form, time appears to accelerate, condensing hours or even days of footage into a mere fraction of time, unveiling the magic of the world in just a few fleeting seconds. Prepare to be captivated as we explore the captivating art of timelapse videos and the wonders they unveil.

Best Practices to Create a Perfect Timelapse

The concept revolves around capturing numerous photographs at regular intervals. These individual shots are then skillfully woven together in the post-production stage, forming a spellbinding video that captivates the senses. With the fundamentals in place, it’s time to delve into the realm of expertise and uncover some invaluable tips to embark on your time-lapse journey.

Use Proper Stabilisation

Image stabilisation is undoubtedly beneficial for reducing motion and achieving sharper images, particularly when shooting handheld. However, it’s crucial to note that when your camera is mounted on a tripod, image stabilisation can hinder the quality of your timelapse footage. The stabilising mechanism may erroneously detect motion and attempt to compensate for it, resulting in a messy and shaky sequence. To avoid this, choose between using a tripod or enabling image stabilisation – employing both at the same time is not advisable.

If you opt for a tripod, ensure it is robust and sturdy. Taking precautions such as adding weight or extending the tripod’s legs can help minimise vibrations and distortion caused by wind. If you still encounter shaky footage, utilising post-production tools like the Warp Stabiliser in software such as Adobe After Effects or Adobe Premiere Pro can effectively reduce unwanted motion and restore stability to your timelapse.

Set the Right Intervals

We recommend considering the following values as a starting point — It’s important to note that these values are averages and may vary depending on the specific scenery or subject:

People and traffic: Aim for 1-2 seconds between each frame.

Clouds and landscapes: Opt for a slightly longer interval of 3-6 seconds to capture the subtle movements and changes in the scenery.

Sunset or sunrise: To capture the mesmerising light transition during these magical moments, increase the interval to approximately 6-10 seconds.

When recording scenes involving people or traffic, it’s crucial to introduce some motion blur by adjusting your shutter speed. Try setting your shutter speed to roughly half the interval time for the smoothest result. This technique helps to create a sense of motion and fluidity in the final timelapse footage.

Also read: 5 Steps to Capture an Industrial Construction TimeLapse

Shoot Manually

It is essential to have full control over your camera settings. Set your camera to Manual mode and avoid using any automatic settings. Additionally, opt for shooting in RAW format instead of JPEG. RAW files provide greater flexibility in post-production, allowing you to adjust white balance, recover details from shadows, and enhance colours, resulting in a more immersive timelapse experience.

RAW files contain unprocessed data straight from the image sensor. By shooting in RAW, you retain more information and have greater latitude for adjustments during editing. If you are using a smartphone, consider installing a third-party app that enables capturing RAW files, expanding your creative possibilities with timelapse recordings.

ND Filter Is a Must

Enhancing the quality of your timelapse footage can be achieved with an ND filter, also known as a Neutral Density filter. This is a dark glass panel placed in front of your camera lenses. Its primary purpose is to extend the duration of your camera’s shutter speed, resulting in longer exposures and a captivating motion blur effect. Even budget-friendly ND filters can significantly elevate the overall quality of your timelapse sequences! 

The Right Music

The impact of music shouldn’t be underestimated. When it comes to creating mesmerising timelapse videos, music plays a crucial role in evoking human emotions and enhancing the overall experience. After investing time and effort into recording, editing, and refining your timelapse video, settling for generic stock music simply won’t suffice!

How Does Studio-52 Help?

Crafting an impactful time-lapse video goes beyond the mere act of pressing a record button on your camera. It demands thoughtful consideration of multiple elements, ranging from selecting the perfect location to employing top-notch equipment and employing effective production techniques. To truly bring your vision to life, your brand should collaborate with seasoned professionals ensuring a seamless integration of all components.

By entrusting the task to us, you can be confident that every aspect of the video production process is handled with meticulous attention to detail and a wealth of expertise. The result is a product that truly stands out from the crowd.

Studio-52, renowned for its exceptional timelapse video services in Dubai and beyond, is your go-to destination for a time-lapse experience worth sharing. Don’t hesitate to reach out and discover the difference professional expertise can make in your timelapse endeavours.

Conclusion

Creating a captivating time-lapse video involves more than just pointing your camera and hitting the record. It requires careful consideration of various factors, including location selection, high-quality equipment, and expert post-production techniques. Studio-52, with its wealth of experience in time-lapse videos, is here to share its knowledge and offer professional services that guarantee exceptional results.

At Studio52, we employ top-notch techniques and equipment to produce high-quality construction timelapse videos that showcase the accelerated motion of your projects. With this technique, you can capture long-term duration processes and present them in a concise video format. Construction timelapse videos are an excellent marketing and promotion tool as they condense the entire construction project into just a few minutes. Our expertise in creating world-class timelapse videos is evident in our work with esteemed brands such as Expo 2020, Meraas, and Damac.

Today, we aim to provide guidance on what to consider when selecting a camera for timelapse video and recommend the best timelapse camera for the construction industry in 2023.

Brief Overview

Timelapse construction cameras are used to capture the progress of construction projects over extended periods. These are designed to take photos at regular intervals, which are then combined to create a time-lapse video.

They offer a unique perspective on the construction process, allowing viewers to see the project from start to finish in just a few minutes. This can be useful for marketing and promotional purposes, providing an engaging and visually appealing way to showcase your project.

Timelapse construction cameras are used for monitoring and documentation purposes, and to provide valuable insights into the construction process too — especially useful for large-scale or long-duration projects.

The cameras can be set up quickly and require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective solution for construction monitoring.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Timelapse Construction Camera For Construction Timelapse Video

Image and video quality

When it comes to creating high-quality videos, one of the most critical factors to consider is the number of pixels in your construction monitoring system. Pixels are those tiny dots that make up an image — the more pixels a camera has, the higher the image resolution and quality will be.

As such, it’s essential to choose a camera with a high number of megapixels to ensure your videos are of the highest quality possible. While there is no hard and fast rule on the ideal number of megapixels, many experts agree that around 12 megapixels are the sweet spot for most cameras.

However, having a high number of megapixels is only half the battle. To create truly great videos you need to start with high-quality footage right from the beginning. This means that there should be no cut scenes or tearing down of buildings to get the perfect shot.

Durability and weather resistance

When it comes to taking pictures outside in the field, one of the biggest challenges of a construction monitoring system is dealing with the elements. Unlike indoor photography, outdoor photography is at the mercy of the weather, which can be unpredictable and harsh. When it comes to creating timelapse videos, this becomes an even greater challenge. Your videos cannot simply take a rain break when the weather gets messy.

Construction sites are particularly prone to bad weather, be it snow, rain, or dust. As such, a camera should withstand these conditions and still deliver high-quality footage. One of the most important factors to consider is the camera’s casing or housing.

A durable and weather-hardy casing can protect the camera from the elements, ensuring continuous functioning even in adverse weather conditions.

Power options and battery life

When creating timelapse videos, having a camera with sturdy charging options and batteries is critical. The last thing you want is to run out of power in the middle of a shoot, as this can result in lost footage and wasted time.

If your camera only comes with a single battery, it’s essential to make sure that it has a fast charging time. Waiting for hours for a storm to charge can be frustrating and can result in lost footage. Look for cameras with quick charging options or spare batteries that you can switch out when one runs out of power.

In addition to fast charging options, it’s also worth considering external power supplies or solar panels. External power supplies can keep your camera going for extended periods, which is particularly useful for long shoots or shoots in remote locations where power outlets may not be readily available.

Connectivity and remote construction monitoring system capabilities

Shooting a timelapse video requires taking a significant number of pictures over an extended period. These pictures can take up a considerable amount of memory, making it critical to ensure that your camera has enough storage space. At a minimum, it’s recommended to have 128GB of internal storage, although the more storage you have, the better.

However, relying solely on hard disk drives or local storage can be risky. These storage options are prone to damage or theft, which can result in the loss of all your footage. To mitigate this risk use a combination of local storage and cloud backup.

Choosing a camera that can connect to the internet and upload pictures to the cloud is a great way to ensure that your footage is always safe and secure. This way, even if your local storage is lost or damaged, you can still access your footage from the cloud.

Another critical feature to consider when choosing a timelapse camera is remote viewing functionality. This feature allows you to check on your camera’s status and ensure that it’s functioning correctly, even when you’re not physically present at the shoot location. This is particularly crucial for long-term shoots, where you may not be able to monitor the camera’s status consistently. With remote viewing functionality, you can rest assured that your camera is always in the right position and capturing the footage you need.

Why Go With The IP Construction monitoring system?

IP cameras are a great option for creating time-lapse videos. They are often used for surveillance purposes, but they can also create stunning time-lapse videos. One of the benefits of using IP cameras for time-lapse videos is that you can use them in combination to get coverage from multiple angles. Since these cameras are typically used for security purposes, you may already have multiple of them at your site.

In addition to providing coverage from multiple angles, these also have built-in security features, such as 24/7 recording and motion detection. This makes them ideal for spotting potential threats. The remote control option is another cool advantage. You can access the camera’s feed from your mobile phone app or computer, which is particularly useful if you can’t be physically present at the site.

Some IP cameras also have a built-in time-lapse function, which makes them even more convenient. Manufacturers have recognized the power of timelapse footage and have added this feature to their products.

Our Recommendation

REOLink 811A

This particular IP camera is an absolute game-changer when it comes to producing high-quality timelapse videos for construction projects. Despite its incredible capabilities, it’s surprisingly affordable, costing less than $100. With its state-of-the-art 4k HD shooting resolution, every detail of your construction project will be captured in stunning clarity, making for an impressive and visually captivating final product.

The camera’s 5-time optical zoom feature ensures that every nook and cranny of your construction project site is captured with incredible detail, giving viewers a comprehensive view of the entire project from start to finish. But what truly sets this camera apart is its power over an ethernet connection, ensuring a constant supply of power and image transmission to the cloud. This is particularly important for construction sites that are in remote locations, where there’s a limited power supply.

This camera has a built-in timelapse function specifically designed for the construction industry. You don’t have to worry about configuring the camera to capture images at the right intervals or setting up complicated software to stitch together the final video. With this camera, all you need to do is set it up in the right location and turn it on, and you’ll be able to capture amazing construction timelapse videos with ease.

Conclusion

Construction timelapse videos have become a popular and effective tool for businesses to market their projects, showcase progress, and generate stakeholders’ interest. These videos provide a representation of the entire construction process, start to finish, in just a few minutes — adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement to written reports and updates.

When it comes to equipment for creating time-lapse videos, IP cameras are often the most desirable option due to their affordability and high-quality shooting capabilities. They also have the added benefit of being readily available on construction sites for surveillance purposes. However, creating a professional-quality timelapse video requires time and skill, which may not be feasible for everyone.

In such cases, consult with professionals to help create a stunning timelapse video. At Studio52, we have the expertise and equipment to capture the entire construction process in a visually captivating way.

Have you ever wondered how to capture stunning hyper-lapses, or slow-motion videos? If so, then this blog post is for you! Here we will cover all the basics of shooting construction timelapse, hyper-lapse video, and slow-motion video. We’ll discuss what each one is, the equipment needed to shoot them, and tips on how to get great results. So whether you’re a beginner with no experience or an experienced filmmaker looking to broaden your skill set – read on and discover all the information you need about shooting these amazing video techniques!

By exploring time and motion in video production, you can uncover a secret realm that is usually hidden from our eyes – slow down the movement of quickly-moving subjects or speed up longer events such as the sunrise or clouds moving across the sky.

Frame rate determines how quickly or slowly video footage records and plays back. Most commonly it is set at 25 frames per second (fps) or 30fps. Movies are generally recorded at 24 fps to give a more “cinematic” feel while sports and news broadcasts require crisper visuals so they are regularly filmed at 30 fps. Despite this, either option works well depending on your project’s needs. To capture slow-motion video, record at a faster frame rate than you wish to play back; for example, recording 50 fps and then playing back at 25 fps will result in a slowed-down effect.

To speed up the passage of time, the recording must be done at a slower frame rate than the playback speed. By taking 25 separate frames over an extended period and playing them back at 25fps, minutes, hours and even days can be condensed into just one second of footage – this is what is used to create timelapse and hyper-lapse videos.

Check the example of construction timelapse video we did for NESMA:

Traditional timelapse videos are captured on tripods or motion control sliders so the camera stays in one spot throughout filming but with hyper-lapses, you need to move the camera position between each photo which adds an extra layer of complexity to the final product.

The Difference Between TimeLapse Video And Hyperlapse

Timelapse photography is a filmmaking technique that captures the passing of time by taking multiple still images at regular intervals and then quickly playing them together as a sequence. This allows viewers to observe changes in the scene which would have otherwise been impossible to view in real-time. To create this effect, one must place the camera in one fixed position and ensure it does not move for an extended period. Hyperlapse video photography is another type of construction timelapse photography that utilizes film rather than still images, allowing for more dynamic movement shots. Rather than keeping the camera fixed in a single spot, the photographer moves with the camera while recording footage over an extended period.

Time lapses are incredibly versatile and can be used to capture any number of events or scenes such as a flower blooming, stars moving across the night sky or even drastic changes in landscapes over long periods of time. Artificial lighting might be necessary if you want to control the light levels as much as possible, however, for something like landscapes or cityscapes, it might be desirable to let natural light change over time. Timelapse videos are great for telling stories from afar – entire tales composed from thousands of individual frames played together as video!

Hyperlapse photography differs from traditional timelapse photography in that it allows for more creative dynamic filming by utilizing three elements – an object to focus on, the direction of movement relative to that object, and an anchor point that remains constant throughout each frame captured. This creates smoother transitions between each shot as well as giving viewers a sense of motion when watching them back as videos – almost like they’re flying through scenes!

It also opens up lots of possibilities when considering what kind of projects you could use hyper-lapse photography in – anything from commercials and construction sites to heritage buildings can benefit greatly from its effects!

How To Shoot Time Lapse Video And HyperLapse

If you’re shooting up close over a long period of time, you’ll need to make sure that the lighting conditions stay consistent by using artificial lighting sources. On the other hand, when taking landscape or cityscape shots, natural light changes can become a key part of your footage. To capture smooth footage without any jittering, an essential tool is a tripod which keeps the camera steady throughout the shot.

For effective hyper-lapse photography, three components are required: a subject and a track or path to follow; for instance approaching or moving away from the object, sideways or in a circle around it. In addition, an anchor point needs to be chosen so that it will stay in the same spot for every frame. This allows for smoother camera movement rather than jerky movements. One way to keep this point fixed is by highlighting it with the same AF point each time or turning on the camera’s grid overlay feature.

Various lenses can be used depending on different scenes – wide angle lenses such as Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM (or its equivalents – Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM) are ideal for various subjects due to its range of focal lengths. It is also recommended not to shoot wider than 24mm as it can result in perspective distortions at the edges of the frame if there is a shift in framing from one shot to another.

Slow Motion Video

Timelapse and slow-motion video techniques offer drastically different results. Timelapse condenses footage, allowing viewers to appreciate a longer span of time in a shorter viewing period. Slow motion, on the other hand, slows down motion that would usually be too rapid to observe.

Modern cameras have features designed for both timelapse and slow-motion video shooting methods. The Canon EOS and PowerShot ranges are all equipped with slow-motion settings; however, higher frame rates are most commonly found when recording at lower resolutions. For example, the EOS R6 can record up to 120 frames per second (fps) in Full HD or 50fps and 60fps at 4K resolution.

When shooting, the frame rate does not need to match the output frame rate exactly; it can instead be slowed down during post-production. The faster the frame rate when capturing footage, the slower it will appear when played back at regular speed.

Playing With Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is an essential factor in controlling exposure, as well as the representation of movement in an image. When shooting timelapse or hyper-lapse sequences, it is important to use slower shutter speeds in order to produce the desired blurring of moving elements. This will give a much more dynamic and cinematic look than if one were to use faster shutter speeds that freeze all motion.

An effective way to determine the appropriate shutter speed for video clips is called the 180-degree shutter rule, which implies that your chosen shutter speed should be the inverse of double the frame rate. For example, when shooting at 25 frames per second (fps), you would use a shutter speed of 1/50 sec for the desired motion blur effect. The same rule can be applied when recording slow motion footage at higher frame rates; if set at 100fps, setting the shutter speed to 1/200 sec would produce optimal results.

Conclusion

Even while taking stills at a slower frame rate for timelapses or hyper-lapses, sticking with this guideline will yield great results until the interval between shots exceeds four seconds – after that point, maintaining a longer shutter speed becomes more important than following this rule.

When shooting during daytime hours, using Neutral Density (ND) filters will be necessary to reduce light entering the lens and achieve good exposures even with slower shutter speeds.

Timelapse technology has revolutionised the way construction and infrastructure projects are planned and executed. Timelapse is a type of videography which records an event happening over a long period of time, and then compresses it into a much shorter duration.

Timelapse technology has several benefits for construction and infrastructure projects, making it an essential tool for any construction project. 

Overview of TimeLapse Technology 

Timelapse technology is an effective tool for monitoring construction and infrastructure projects. It uses photography and video to document progress at specific intervals, allowing project managers to track progress and identify any potential issues. 

Benefits for Construction Projects 

Timelapse technology not only makes project management easier, but it also has the following benefits for construction and infrastructure projects. 

Improved Safety 

Timelapse technology is becoming increasingly popular in the construction and infrastructure industry, due to its ability to improve safety on projects. Timelapse technology is a cost-effective way to monitor and document construction progress over long periods of time. 

It can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by providing real-time data on the project’s progress, which can be used to identify potential safety hazards. This allows for quick action to be taken to address and rectify any issues that arise. 

By monitoring the project’s progress, safety professionals are better able to identify and address any potential hazards before they become a problem. 

Timelapse technology can also be used to create a virtual timeline of the construction project, providing a detailed record of what happened, when it happened and who was involved. 

This information can then be used to identify any safety issues that may have occurred on the project

Accurate Planning 

Accurate planning is essential for the successful completion of construction and infrastructure projects. Timelapse technology can provide real-time insights into the progress of the project, enabling project managers to make informed decisions and optimize the timeline. 

With timelapse technology, delays can be identified and addressed quickly, resulting in a more efficient project. 

It allows for better resource allocation, resulting in improved project outcomes. Furthermore, it can be used to accurately measure the success of the project. 

Reduced Costs 

Timelapse can help to streamline the entire construction process, leading to faster completion times and savings on labour and materials costs. 

Timelapse technology also offers savings on labour costs, as teams can monitor the progress of the project without needing to be on-site all the time. 

Additionally, the data collected can be used to identify areas where processes can be improved and even where materials can be reused. This allows for more efficient use of resources, leading to cost savings.

Time-Saving 

Timelapse technology enables contractors to save time in many different ways. For example, the use of timelapse videos makes it easier to monitor the progress of a project, giving contractors the ability to quickly identify and address any issues before they become too costly. 

In addition, the footage can be reviewed quickly, allowing contractors to make adjustments to their plans and strategies if necessary. By using timelapse technology, the process of documenting project progress can be automated, allowing workers to focus on other aspects of the project. 

This allows for faster completion of the project, as well as improved accuracy and reliability.

Enhanced Documentation 

Timelapse technology makes it easier to capture and document project progress. This can be used to create a visual display of the project timeline, which can be used to keep stakeholders informed of progress. It can also be used as a reference for future projects, providing an accurate record of how projects were completed.

This technology enables remote monitoring, allowing stakeholders to keep track of progress without having to be on-site. It can help reduce the amount of time and resources needed to manage a project, saving time and money.

Overall, timelapse technology offers great benefits for construction and infrastructure projects.

Conclusion

A timelapse is a great way to document the progress of an industrial construction project over time. When done correctly, the timelapse can capture the full scope of the construction process from start to finish, making it a valuable tool for both project managers and stakeholders. 

In this blog, we will discuss the five steps needed to capture a professional industrial construction timelapse. 

1: Setting Up the Equipment

Choosing the right camera is critical for capturing quality footage for an industrial construction timelapse. Professional-grade cameras are best for this type of project, and using the right lens for the camera can help capture the desired results. 

Once the camera and lens have been chosen, the next step is to find the right mounting position for the camera. This is important for getting the camera in the optimal position to capture the entire construction project. 

2: Choosing the Right Intervals 

Before starting the timelapse, it is important to determine what time intervals are needed to capture the construction project most effectively. 

Depending on the length of the project and the desired results, the intervals should be set so that the footage captures the details of the project in the most efficient way. 

Once the intervals have been determined, the next step is to choose the appropriate time intervals for the project. 

3: Scouting the Location

Once the equipment and intervals have been chosen, the next step is to analyze the site for potential hazards. It will help ensure the safety of the equipment and personnel. 

After assessing potential hazards, the next step is to determine the best angle for optimal results. This will help ensure that the footage captures the important details of the project. 

4: Lighting Considerations 

Proper lighting is essential for capturing quality footage of an industrial construction project. The first step is to determine the lighting needs of the project. It will help ensure that the lighting is set up correctly and that the footage captures the right details. 

Once the lighting needs have been determined, the next step is to choose the right lighting equipment. It will help ensure that there is enough light to capture the footage most effectively. 

5: Ensuring Quality 

After all the equipment is set up and the lighting considerations have been taken care of, the next step is to test the equipment to make sure that everything is functioning properly. It will help ensure that the footage is captured in the most effective way. 

Once the equipment has been tested, the last step is to monitor the timelapse throughout the project. This will help ensure that the footage is captured without any issues and that the results are of the highest quality.

Benefits of Creating a Construction TimeLapse

Here are a few benefits of creating construction timelapses: 

Cost-Effective

Creating a timelapse of a construction project is a cost-effective way to quickly document progress and track milestones. By utilizing a timelapse, project owners can save on overhead costs associated with traditional onsite supervision and documentation. 

Comprehensive Record

Timelapses create a comprehensive record of a construction project that can be used to review progress, identify issues, and compare against the original design. It helps ensure that the project is on track and that any issues can be addressed quickly and efficiently. 

Improved Safety

Timelapses help reduce the need for on-site supervision, which can improve safety as fewer people are exposed to the construction site. Timelapses also help identify potential safety issues that can be addressed before they become a problem. 

Improved Efficiency

By tracking progress with a timelapse, project owners can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies quickly and easily. It can help project managers adjust workflow and ensure that the project is completed on time and on budget. 

Reduced Liability

Timelapses can help project owners reduce liability, as they can be used to document all progress on the project. This can help protect the project owner from any potential claims or disputes. 

Easily Shareable

Timelapses are easily shareable, allowing project owners to quickly and easily share progress with stakeholders, subcontractors, and other parties involved in the project. 

Visual Documentation

Timelapses provide a visual record of the project that is easy to understand and reference. This can help you review and make appropriate decisions about the project. 

Improved Morale

Timelapses can help boost morale on construction projects, as they provide a visual representation of the progress being made. Seeing the project come together can be a great motivator for all involved.

Bottom Line

Capturing an industrial construction timelapse requires careful planning and preparation. Taking the five steps outlined in this blog can help ensure that the timelapse is professional and of the highest quality. 

With the right combination of equipment, intervals, location, lighting, and quality assurance, an industrial construction timelapse can be a powerful tool to document and track a project from start to finish.

With time-lapse video, you get to see accelerated motion and incredibly showcase your projects! Here at Studio52, we use the best techniques and equipment to capture long-term duration processes and display them in high-quality video snippets.

Time-lapse videos display your entire construction project from start to finish in just a few minutes — exactly why it’s one of the best tools for marketing and promotion. We have created world-class timelapse videos for brands such as Expo 2020, Meraas, Damac, and many more!

Today we want to outlay what you should look for in cameras and what is the best timelapse camera for the construction industry in 2023!

What Is Construction Timelapse Video?

When you’re shooting a standard video, your camera takes somewhere between 24 and 30 frames a second. This is the usual fps metric for your normal camera. With time-lapse video, however, your camera snaps pictures much less frequently, at the rate of one photo a minute sometimes.

This way you get a collection of thousands of pictures, when compressed and played look like a dynamic video, and what’s been photographed for months gets squeezed into one to two-minute segments — essentially, a time-lapse video!

Time-lapse videos are such powerful construction business promotional tools because they can showcase entire projects to the audience in just a few seconds and pique their interest.

Why Do You Need It?

Construction time-lapse videos are essential tools for any serious business and its marketing and growth efforts. Let’s number down just a few reasons. They showcase progress

People are hooked when they see something moving forward and the scenery changing for the better. That’s what makes these videos such great attention grabbers. However, they’re used to show the progress to your team and make them motivated and happy about taking part. They’re perfect to supplement or even substitute written reports for your shareholders and stakeholders. They’re sharable

Construction timelapse videos are perfect for sharing on social media and in your community. First, they show how you’re doing things day in and out. Secondly, they’re so easy to share and skyrocket your organic traffic and marketing, inciting even more interest and attracting even more business. They are perfect for documentation

Time-lapse videos graphically document your project in a way that’s not only interesting internally. You can share this video with the client too, and showcase how their project has come along — project documentation is one thing, but seeing the time-lapse of it is priceless.

Can be used in various ways

Time-lapse construction videos can be used in a series of ways. They’re not only for internal use and can be shared across the platforms to strengthen your marketing efforts. They can help you stand out from the crowd and bring in new prospective clients.

You can use them at exhibitions and events. Playing a time-lapse on a video wall where you present your company creates a strong PR and makes your selling game stronger than ever.

Challenges Of Time-Lapse Videos For Construction?

Construction time-lapse videos have their own set of drawbacks and ways they’re being shot and produced. If you feel unsafe about it, it’s always best to go with pros to help you out.

Here, at Studio52, we’ve created dozens of perfect time-lapse videos that have helped our clients grow their businesses. Some of our most valuable works were created for prominent clients in the region such as Expo 2020, Meraas, Adnoc, Damac, and others.

Okay, so what are the challenges we’re talking about?

Time-lapse videos aren’t an easy game and there are many adversities you’ll face when creating one. These often include: Battling poor weather, such as rain or snow Dealing with a poor signal at construction sites Cameras can get stolen It’s a challenge to keep cameras powered and working 24/7 High quality is a must

For all of these, and many more, you’d want to talk to pros about handling the job!

Okay, so how do we choose the best time-lapse camera around? Let’s define some features first.

Must-Have Features

You want your camera to be as stable and as functioning as can be at all times and in all weather conditions. That’s why you cannot go with any standard camera, but a specialized device.

What should such a device have you ask? Let’s number down a few features a time-lapse camera must have. Goes without saying that a time-lapse function is a must! But here are some worthy functions:

Clarity of resolution

You want your videos to be high quality and this is where pixels come in. Ideally, you’d want your camera to have as many megapixels, and 12 is a sweet spot. Once you start filming there are no cutting scenes or tearing down of the buildings to shoot over. You should strive to take high-quality pictures right from the get-go, so the camera of choice should resonate with that.

Long power and duration

Your camera should have sturdy charging options and batteries. If you’re down with a single battery and you have to wait hours before it charges, a serious amount of footage will never be taken. Try and find an external power supply or solar panels that can keep the camera going for days on end.

Waterproof and durable

Taking pictures outside in the field, we’re faced and at the mercy of the elements. Your time-lapse videos cannot have a rain break or take a day off when it gets messy. Construction sites often see their share of bad weather be it snow, rain, or dust. That’s exactly why you should pick a camera that has a durable and weather-hardy casing.

Cloud backup

When shooting a time-lapse video, you’re going to be dealing with a serious amount of pictures. These pictures require huge memory to be stored someplace. You should have a minimum of 128GB of internal storage.

However, hard disk drives and local storage is prone to be damaged or stolen. That’s why you need a combo of local storage and a cloud backup! Choose a camera that can connect to the web and upload pictures to the cloud.

Remote viewing

A good time-lapse camera should have a remote viewing functionality. You have to be sure that your camera is functioning and in its set position at all times, even when you aren’t present. That’s why this feature is so crucial for your time-lapse video production.

Stability

Last but not least, your camera should be stable. Some cameras can be mounted on walls with screws, others are just tied to a pole or other structure. If the camera moves, even slightly, there can be serious discrepancies in the end product, so stability is something you absolutely must include when choosing that ideal time-lapse device.

How to Choose Construction Time-Lapse Video Devices

When it comes to choosing a device, there are several groups we have to take into account. You can shoot timelapse videos with either an IP camera, a smartphone, a live-action camera, or your pro DSLR camera.

Each one of these devices comes with its set of pros and cons, so let’s look into them!

IP Camera

IP cameras are usually used for surveillance, but they’re perfect devices for large-scale project time-lapse videos. They can record for months or years on end, and won’t even cost you much. IP cameras can have amazing resolution and are fixed in position and you can set intervals for your time-lapse pictures. They are sometimes hard to get a hang on and understand the features, but a great solution for the buck.

Smartphone

Although you may be inclined to use your smartphone because of its great camera, it shouldn’t be considered an option for commercial purposes. Their shooting time is just a couple of hours (depending on the battery), and the quality won’t be that good despite those megapixels on your camera. Smartphones are handy, however, in that you can place them anywhere and get angles you normally couldn’t get with larger devices.

Action Camera

Now here is an often-chosen device for time lapses — at least your friendly neighborhood influencer will claim so. However, for large-scale construction projects, they won’t be as ideal, since their shooting time can be even lower than with your standard smartphone. They are compact and relatively small, so you can also get good angle coverage and will offer a clear resolution. They are tricky to be fixed in position, and usually, they’re shaken by the smallest things.

DSLR

Professional DSLR cameras are considered to be good options for time-lapse videos. Their shooting time is somewhat better than with your smartphone or action camera, but nowhere near that of an IP camera. You will get high-quality footage and clear resolution though. DSLRs don’t have a built-in time interval function and require work with images post-shooting. Why IP Camera Is a Good Choice

Often corporations use and have readily available IP cameras around their premises and projects, and likely you have them too! They’re often used for surveillance purposes, but they make an awesome time-lapse video solution.

Let’s see why they’re a better choice than other devices we’ve mentioned.

They Can Be Used In Combo

With IP security cameras, you get coverage from multiple angles. Since they’re used for security you’ll likely have more than a few of them on your site, which means you can use all these positions to shoe in your time-lapse video.

They Have Security Features

An IP camera often serves as a security device, with its 24/7 recording ability your construction site is monitored at all times. Some of the best IP cameras include movement detection which allows them to spot threats efficiently.

They Allow Remote Control

You don’t have to be present (and you often can’t) on all of your construction sites at the same time. IP cameras come to aid, as they’ll emit a 24-hour feed to your mobile phone app or computer.

They Have A Built In Time-Lapse Function

Some IP cameras now have a built-in timelapse function. Seems like security cam manufacturers like Reolink have recognized the power of time-lapse videos. The only thing you need to do is set your camera in position and turn it on!

Camera Recommendation

Okay, so the IP camera is the obvious winner here. But which one to choose? What you want is, of course, to get the most bang for your buck, at the same time you want the features to be ideal. Luckily we have such a cam in mind!

And the winner is…..

Reolink 811A

This beast of an IP camera can be yours for less than $100! It has a 4k HD shooting resolution and a 5-time optical zoom for every nook and cranny of your construction project site.

Its power over ethernet connection allows the camera to have a constant supply and image transmission to the cloud. Of course. The camera comes with a built-in time-lapse function specifically built for the construction industry.

With time-lapse video, you get to see accelerated motion in real time! Here at Studio52, we use the best techniques and equipment to capture long-term duration processes and then display them in a short period.

Time-lapse videos display the entire project or process from start to finish in just a few minutes — exactly why it’s one of the best video tools you can use for marketing and promotion. We have created world-class timelapse videos for brands such as Expo 2020, Meraas, Damac, and many more!

We like to think that we know what we’re talking about when it comes to these and today we want to outlay what you should look for in cameras for time-lapse videos.

How To Choose The Best Time-Lapse Camera For Video And Construction

If you’ve decided to set up a time-lapse monitoring system on your construction site, you’re probably wondering what’s the right camera.

Not all cameras are the same, and you should look into your needs and the different manufacturers on the market. Here are some of the most important factors to think about.

Time Length

How long do you need your camera to be on and recording? Time-lapse videos are the perfect way to showcase your construction projects from start to finish, so if you’re shooting for months on end you should look into batteries. Some worthy questions to think about: How long do they last, and how long should they be charged for?

Does the manufacturer include solar charging accessories for interrupted work?

Frame Rate

The better the frame rate of your camera, the smoother quality video you’ll get. The usual timelapse standard is 30 frames per second, but if you’re shooting plenty of motion you should consider a higher fps camera. These intervals matter, since long intervals between frames, may result in your video looking like a collection of photos, rather than video.

Compression

Compression plays an essential part in prolonged shootings, as you’ll have to store a huge number of pictures in the camera’s internal memory. If you have good enough compression, the pictures will take up less space in your camera and the hard drive.

Night or Day

Now here’s an important one. Most time-lapse videos will include nighttime images. If you’re shooting in the dark, your camera should have great low-light performance specs. Otherwise, you’re risking that your night parts look poorer than daytime ones. Usually, this is seen when night pictures look somewhat grainy in comparison to day pictures.

4k or HD?

This one is fairly simple, the higher the resolution, the more detail the video will show. If you’re looking for an HD, 1080 is the universal standard. 4k is a preferred option for time-lapse since it has the perfect balance between details and image size. You can also allow yourself to zoom in and leverage a variety of close-up scenes with 4k.

Size and Weight

If you’re shooting shorter sequences and the camera is supposed to be stationary (like on a tripod) you would want a lighter camera option. From the experience in Studio52, we know that construction time-lapse shootings often take months or even years, and are shot both during night and day.

Equipment reliability also plays a major part and maintenance should be easy. Here we also have to account for the overall costs, so let’s take what you can get in all three budget areas: low-cost, medium-cost, and high-quality.

Low Cost Brinno TLC200 Pro

Brinno brings a time-lapse solution available to anyone. But is it good from a commercial marketing standpoint? Let’s look at the factors we’ve mentioned above.

The FPS frame rate from this one is at the required minimum of 30fps. Not bad a start, but data storage and compression just aren’t on par. You’ll get a low data storage of 32 GB which won’t be enough for a long-lasting recording. Night vision is okay on this one, but the video resolution at 720p-1080p just isn’t something you’d want for a business time-lapse.

This beginner’s time-lapse camera marks a great starting point for time-lapse photography. Our verdict: You don’t want to use it for commercial purposes.

Medium Cost Brinno Empower TLC2020

Brinno has made an effort to manufacture a construction time-lapse camera that’s high-end, but budget-friendly.

The frame rates stand at the standard 30 fps, but you’ll get a high-quality 1080 p video. Compression is also ideal and the internal memory sits at 128GB, with long shooting durability. It has nice night vision capacity and the night pictures don’t strike too differently from daytime ones.

This mountable camera seems to be made for construction time-lapse videos, but you’ll have to invest in the weatherproof casing. Our verdict: An option to go with for construction time-lapse.

High-End GoPro Hero11

GoPro is the standard for high-quality images and video. This one ticks all of the boxes for construction time-lapse photography.

This one shoots 60 fps for a 5K video quality and up to 120 fps for 4K, making this an above-standard high-end solution. This one is waterproof, however, low-light video won’t be that great, but still, you should see no visible difference.