I previously worked as a news and sports photographer. Recently I have been enjoying wildlife photography. My approach toward bird photos is similar to sports photography. I attempt to capture mostly action and hopefully a unique perspective.
Here is a 23 second time lapse of evening clouds and sunset taken tonight at the marsh pond.
Also a still photo taken about five minutes after sunset.

Beautiful video!!!!
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Thanks very much!
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That is unbelievable! THANK YOU for posting it for us!
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I’m happy you enjoyed it, thank you!
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That’s a most beautiful contrast to the grey and very wet November in Germany. Wonderful nature and once more great work, Phil. Enjoy your weekend!
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I’m glad I was able to brighten your day a bit. 🙂 Hope you enjoy your weekend as well!
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Again you’ve taken my breath away….. but don’t quit.
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I appreciate that very much Gunta.
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Perfect timing!
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Thanks for checking this out!
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Video stupendo. Bellissimo!!
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Grazie Pat!
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What a great sunset, Phil. No wonder Mr. A hung out with you and watched this. Nice work.
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Thanks very much Steve. Our big buddy was out again last night but he still refused to swim into my shot. It’s getting cooler and he is getting slower. 🙂
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Very nice. What program did you use Phil, I’ve tried a couple of time lapse on different programs but just can’t get a smooth finish
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Thanks very much Ian, glad you liked this TL.
This was 550 frames, one taken every five seconds for approx. 45 mins. with a DSLR and then I did a batch resize in photoshop and processed the final video at 24fps using Quick Time Pro.
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Thanks for the info Phil, I’ll give Quick Time Pro a go. I’m determined to get it right , TL look so great
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QT Pro is $30 but it’s worth it if you do a few TLs. They are a lot of fun to do and can even get addictive. 🙂
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What a lovely start to my day, on a damp Autumnal morning in Herefordshire! Your sunsets are truly amazing, Phil – even those vapour trails have their own beauty.
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Maggie if we don’t get 2-3 nice sunsets a week here we feel cheated. 😉 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing this and yes I also like the jet contrails, they add a nice touch. 🙂
One zips by quick at the end.
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WOW! Thank you, have a nice day and weekend, love, nia
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I am so happy you liked seeing this Nia, thank you!
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Great time lapse, Phil. Beautiful evening!
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I appreciate your kind words Jane, thanks!
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Love it! New to your blog – What software are you using to assemble all the frames? Or was the time lapse down with video?
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Thanks very much Dan, I’m glad you liked this TL and happy to see you here!
This was 550 frames, one taken every five seconds for approx. 45 mins. with a DSLR and then I did a batch resize in photoshop and processed the final video at 24fps using Quick Time Pro.
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The time lapse is fantastic Phil.
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Thanks a million Edith, I’m happy you enjoyed it!
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Absolutely fabulous! Lucky you to witness this spectacle. 🙂
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Thank you Sylvia and yes I was lucky. The funny thing about doing a time lapse is that you can never be sure how (in this case the sky) is going to turn out when you start it. I have been skunked a few times. 😕
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Well you were i luck this time. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
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Sometimes things work out. 🙂
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You guys are so fortunate. This was beautiful to see. The colors in the still are amazing! 🙂
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It was a nice sky out there for sure! Thanks for looking!
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Wonderful video of an enchanting sunset! This morning here in south Florida is tad gloomy so nice to see this bit of glory!
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I’m glad this brightened your day Judy, thanks so much!
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Fabulous as always Phil! I love time lapse.
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They are fun to do for sure Adrian and I know how much you enjoy them as well!
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Beautiful colours.
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It’s a state law that we get 2-3 cool sunsets a week. :S
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wow I have no words
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Thank you so much.
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That’s incredible. It seems like the clouds are moving in different directions – opening up closing in again. Brilliant!
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Thank you much Karen, I’m happy you enjoyed this TL vid!
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This is just spectacular! I’m a first time visitor to your site at the suggestion of a birder in Charleston. I’m keenly interested in your capture and post processing for this video. What was the interval that you shot still for the video and what software did you use to process the stills into video? Is there anything special that I need to know, but don’t know to ask about? Thank you in advance for your help and wonderful images!!
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Thanks very much for looking and commenting Carl and I’m glad you lied this TL.
I used an old Canon 30D camera to take the individual shots.
This was 550 shots, one taken every five seconds for approx. 45 mins.
I did a batch adjust and resize in photoshop (but you don’t have to do that) and then processed the final 23 second video at 24fps using Quick Time Pro.
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Thank you very much Phil! I’m super keen to improve and expand my photography skill set and benefit immensely from the informal help that I received from talented and generous peers such as you. I intend to attempt a first try at this technique this weekend.
Two more questions spring to mind….. Did you use an external interval timer or some other method to capture your images? I’m also curious about exposure control. I’m imagining that the exposure will change dramatically over the course of 45 minutes (and especially so with a sunset). I’m worried that if I allow the camera to automatically calculate each exposure, it will end up making the later (darker) images look too bright. On the other hand, setting a manual exposure could end up looking much too dark after sunset. How did you solve this problem?
P.S. I think we must have been in very close proximity on the causeway last weekend. I saw your octopus photo on this blog and heard people talking about it when we were there.
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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the timer. Yes I use an external interval timer to capture the images.
I have been very happy with the Vello Shutterboss
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840098-REG/Vello_rc_c2ii_Shutterboss_Version_II_Timer.html
Now on sale at B&H for $42.50
Plus right into the camera, you set it to go and you can walk away and let it do it’s thing if you want.
I use AV (aperture priority) for exposure during TL. I usually set the ISO low at 100 and then start at f8, You are right, in this mode the camera will want to even out and lighten up the scene by lowering the shutter as it gets darker. I handle this by keeping an eye on the camera chosen shutter and use the exposure compensation as I go. Sometimes by the time I’m done I have the EC dialed all the way down to 2 stops under.
I have tried using all manual just changing the exposures as required but oddly those changes showed up on the final video as jerky points. Luckily using EC while taking the shots does not show up in the finished video.
Hope this helps.
Stop to say hi next time you are over at HBSP. Cold there now.
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