Time lapse settings for a canvas painter? at DVinfo.net

Todd Moore · October 27th, 2008, 07:27 PM

I have a job filming a painting artist next week and would like to use some time lapse footage of her painting a canvas.
Not having my camera until the day of the shoot so I am unable to practice.
I know it probably depends on how long it takes her to paint the canvas but I will probably stop and change angles a few times.

Any tips re time lapse settings would be appreciated.

Thanks:)

Dave Morrison · October 27th, 2008, 08:27 PM

I'd probably use Interval Recording at 1 frame per second which will give you lots of frames to work with. Then, if you need to speed things along a little bit faster, you can do it in post and you still have lots of material to work with. Manual focus and exposure, too.

Andrew Hollister · October 27th, 2008, 09:18 PM

Definitely don't cut yourself short, plan to have more frames than you need. I would think you'd be better spending time in Excel than with your camera. You can always remap time with Twixtor or your edit soft.

Todd Moore · October 29th, 2008, 02:46 AM

Thank you for the replies Andrew and Dave.
I have only ever shot using 1frame/second and thought I may need to use a different setting for a slow painter but your recomendations make sense.

Unfortunately I had a meeting with the client today and she didn't like the idea....as they say "the client is always right"

Dave Morrison · October 29th, 2008, 07:28 AM

That's too bad, Todd. I did a timelapse once of the glass artist Dale Chihuly as he and his team assembled a large sculpture out of glass. It was in the lobby of a museum and I did it with a small digital point-and-shoot camera. They loved it. Maybe you could do something similar while shooting the artist in the more "conventional" manner. Just put it on a tripod, set it and forget it. They might like it after they see it. Here's a link to a similar timelapse that I shot with a Nikon Coolpix 990 at 1 frame every 2 seconds:

Twilight timelapse on Vimeo

Cory Trepanier · November 6th, 2008, 01:15 AM

I'm an artist myself documenting my largest painting to date (9ft. x 5ft.) with my EX1 for a an online video series that you can watch here: Cory Trepanier's Into The ARCTIC Project: An Artist's Journey to the North.

Here's my settings:
- 1 frame/1 second while moving more quickly (stretching easel, laying in paint fast at beginning of piece.
- I'm slowing down on the progress of the painting and adding more detail, so now am using 1 frame every 4 to 6 seconds.
- USING FRAME ACCUMULATION set at 64 frames (have to switch ND filter to 2 to get proper exposure). Gives a nice smooth look to motion.

Hope that helps someone!

October 27th, 2008, 07:27 PM	#1
Todd Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alstonville Australia Posts: 42	Time lapse settings for a canvas painter? I have a job filming a painting artist next week and would like to use some time lapse footage of her painting a canvas. Not having my camera until the day of the shoot so I am unable to practice. I know it probably depends on how long it takes her to paint the canvas but I will probably stop and change angles a few times. Any tips re time lapse settings would be appreciated. Thanks:)

October 27th, 2008, 08:27 PM	#2
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	I'd probably use Interval Recording at 1 frame per second which will give you lots of frames to work with. Then, if you need to speed things along a little bit faster, you can do it in post and you still have lots of material to work with. Manual focus and exposure, too. __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

October 27th, 2008, 09:18 PM	#3
Andrew Hollister Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 198	Definitely don't cut yourself short, plan to have more frames than you need. I would think you'd be better spending time in Excel than with your camera. You can always remap time with Twixtor or your edit soft. __________________ Sony EX1 v1.11, crap loads of SxS, Macs w/ Final Cut Studio

October 29th, 2008, 07:28 AM	#5
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	That's too bad, Todd. I did a timelapse once of the glass artist Dale Chihuly as he and his team assembled a large sculpture out of glass. It was in the lobby of a museum and I did it with a small digital point-and-shoot camera. They loved it. Maybe you could do something similar while shooting the artist in the more "conventional" manner. Just put it on a tripod, set it and forget it. They might like it after they see it. Here's a link to a similar timelapse that I shot with a Nikon Coolpix 990 at 1 frame every 2 seconds: Twilight timelapse on Vimeo __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

November 6th, 2008, 01:15 AM	#6
Cory Trepanier New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Caledon, Ontario Posts: 7	Example or artist painting with timelapse (interval) with EX1 I'm an artist myself documenting my largest painting to date (9ft. x 5ft.) with my EX1 for a an online video series that you can watch here: Cory Trepanier's Into The ARCTIC Project: An Artist's Journey to the North. Here's my settings: - 1 frame/1 second while moving more quickly (stretching easel, laying in paint fast at beginning of piece. - I'm slowing down on the progress of the painting and adding more detail, so now am using 1 frame every 4 to 6 seconds. - USING FRAME ACCUMULATION set at 64 frames (have to switch ND filter to 2 to get proper exposure). Gives a nice smooth look to motion. Hope that helps someone!

October 29th, 2008, 02:46 AM	#4
Todd Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alstonville Australia Posts: 42	Thank you for the replies Andrew and Dave. I have only ever shot using 1frame/second and thought I may need to use a different setting for a slow painter but your recomendations make sense. Unfortunately I had a meeting with the client today and she didn't like the idea....as they say "the client is always right"