Slow-motion and time-lapse are two exciting techniques that you can use to enhance the videos produced on your GoPro. Both features alter the frame rate to produce unique results, but how exactly do you use them?
To shoot a time-lapse video on GoPro, set the camera to time-lapse mode. Then, choose your interval, which is the time between each photo taken, and press the shutter button to start shooting. Slow-motion cannot be achieved directly in-camera-it must be done in the post-processing stage.
Getting excited to try out these techniques for yourself? Before you proceed, let’s take a closer look at how to use your GoPro for time-lapse and slow-motion effects. We’ll also look at some tips and tricks so that you can get the most from your experience.
Can You Use a GoPro as a Time-Lapse Camera?
You can use a GoPro as a time-lapse camera, but it’s not the ideal tool for the job. Time-lapse photography is a technique where you take a series of photos at set intervals and then string them together to create a video that plays back at high speed.
This technique can be used to capture things like the changing seasons, a construction project, or traffic patterns. While GoPros are versatile and easy to use, they’re not specifically built for time-lapse photography for two reasons:
First, the battery life is shorter than other cameras, so you may need to invest in extra batteries if you want to do time-lapse photography.
Secondly, the field of view is narrower than other cameras, so you may need to use a wider lens to get the shots you want.
While GoPros can be used for time-lapse photography, there are other camera options better suited for the task.
How Long Can a GoPro Do a Timelapse?
The battery life of a GoPro depends on the model you have and how you’re using it. For example, the HERO5 Black (on Amazon) has a battery life of 2 hours when recording at 1080p and 30fps. This drops to 1 hour when recording at 4K and 30fps.
If you’re doing time-lapse photography, you will be taking photos at set intervals rather than recording video. This means that your GoPro will be turned on for longer periods, thus draining the battery faster.
You can extend the battery life by turning off features like WiFi and GPS and using a lower resolution setting. Even with these measures, you may still need to invest in extra batteries if you really want to get into time-lapse photography.
Which GoPros Have Time-Lapse?
All GoPro HERO7 Black, HERO (2018), HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black, HERO5 Session, and HERO4 models have time-lapse functionality. This feature is built into the GoPro software, so you don’t need to download any special apps or make any changes to the settings.
To use time-lapse on your GoPro, simply select the time-lapse mode from the menu and choose your interval.
The interval is the amount of time between each photo, and it can be set anywhere from 0.5 seconds to 60 seconds. Once you’ve selected your interval, press the shutter button to start taking photos.
Time-lapse takes up a lot of storage space, so it’s important to have an SD card with enough capacity. GoPro recommends using an SD card with at least a Class 10 rating, like this 128GB card from Micro Center (on Amazon).
How Do You Shoot A Time-Lapse at Night With a GoPro?
Shooting night time-lapses with a GoPro is easy. Simply select the Night-Lapse mode from the menu and choose your interval.
Once you’ve selected your interval, press the shutter button to start taking photos. It’s important to note that night-lapse doesn’t shoot in complete darkness.
The camera needs some light to work, so make sure there’s at least a small amount of light present before starting your camera. Night-lapse is great for shooting stars, the moon, or even traffic.
How Do You Make a GoPro Time-Lapse Video?
Making a GoPro time-lapse video is pretty simple. Once you’ve taken all your photos, connect your GoPro to your computer and open the GoPro App. Select your photos and choose the ‘Create Timelapse Video’ option.
This will string together all of your photos and turn them into a video file. You can then edit the video using the app or export it to another video editing program.
When exporting, you can choose the resolution, frame rate, and aspect ratio of your video. GoPro time-lapse videos are typically exported at 1080p and 30fps.
How Many Photos Do You Need for a Time-lapse?
The number of photos you need for a time-lapse will depend on the length of the video you want to create, the frame rate, and the interval. For example, if you want to create a 1-minute video at 30fps with an interval of 1 second, you’ll need 1,800 photos.
If you want to create a 1-minute video at 30fps with an interval of 0.5 seconds, you’ll need 3,600 photos. The best time-lapse experience is achieved using an interval of 0.5 seconds or less. This will result in a smooth video with little to no gaps between each photo.
Can GoPro Shoot Slow-Motion?
Unfortunately, you can’t shoot slow-motion video with a GoPro camera, but you can take videos at a higher frame rate which, when edited, can create the effect of slow-motion.
The GoPro HERO10 Black is exceptionally good for slow-motion because it can take videos at up to 240 frames per second at 2.7K. This is then combined with advanced image stabilization to give you smooth, buttery slow-motion footage.
To get the footage on your GoPro, simply select the desired frame rate and resolution from the menu and press the shutter button. The video will be recorded at the selected settings and can then be edited to create the effect of slow motion.
Tips and Tricks for Using Time-Lapse on a GoPro
- Invest in extra batteries: Time-lapse photography can drain your GoPro’s battery faster than normal video recording. You should invest in extra batteries to avoid having your GoPro die in the middle of a time-lapse. You can also extend the battery life by turning off features like WiFi and GPS.
- Use an interval of 0.5 seconds or less: To get the best quality time-lapse video, it’s important to use an interval of 0.5 seconds or less. This will result in a smoother video with little to no gaps between each photo.
- Shoot in RAW: If you want flexibility when editing your time-lapse video, shoot in RAW. This will give you the ability to make changes to things like white balance and exposure without losing any quality.
- Use a Class 10 SD card: Timelapse takes up a lot of storage space, so it’s important to have an SD card with enough capacity. GoPro recommends using an SD card with at least a Class 10 rating.
- Edit your video: Once you’ve taken all of your photos and exported them to your computer, it’s time to edit the video. The GoPro App makes it easy to string together.
- Keep your GoPro steady: The final video will look blurry and shaky if you move the camera around too much. Use a tripod or some other form of stabilization to keep your GoPro still while shooting.