A time-lapse shows images taken over hours and compresses the images into a single video in a much shorter time frame. It is simple to create a time-lapse video using the Nikon Z8. The Z8 assembles a specified number of images into a video when the set time expires. Think of the videos of storm clouds developing and moving across a landscape leaving their shadows on the ground. While this phenomenon occurred over hours, in a time lapse, it is shown in just a few seconds.
I’ve been fascinated by time-lapse photography since watching an episode of NOVA on PBS back in the late 70’s. It was the first time I had seen a time-lapse of a seed sprouting and emerging from soil, something that takes days compressed into mere seconds. I am practicing time-lapse and methods to power the camera for long periods for an upcoming trip. I recalled that episode of NOVA and I remember seeing the sprout nodding as it emerged. I thought I might get a similar response in a flower bud opening. The only flowers I could find at the grocery store were Alstroemeria. The results are not nearly as dramatic as I had hoped. Of course I could have used a much longer time period instead of the 6 hours I used, with one image taken every minute. The approximate 360 images it used is compressed into about 12 seconds. And the nodding movement is minimal but some of the leaves and petals do nod a bit. As it is, it’s about as exciting as watching paint dry. I’ll be seeking something else to test that offers a bit more pizzazz. Watch this space.