How to Make a Plant Timelapse

Have you ever wondered how those captivating timelapse videos on YouTube are made? Or maybe you want to create a timelapse yourself? Let me take you on a fun and educational journey through the process of making a stunning plant timelapse. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started!

Equipment and Software You Need

Before diving in, let’s go over the essential equipment and software:

Camera: I use a Nikon D7500 with a 40mm macro lens. This DSLR camera captures 4K resolution, perfect for detailed plant timelapses.
SD Card: A 128GB SD card ensures you have plenty of storage for your images and videos.
Tripod: Keeps your camera steady and allows for easy adjustments.
Intervalometer: This device sets intervals to automatically take photos.
DC Adapter: Connects directly to the socket to prevent running out of battery.
Plant Lamp: Provides consistent light using energy-efficient LEDs.

Setting Up Your Timelapse

Camera Setup: Position your camera and tripod, then connect the SD card, intervalometer, and DC adapter. Set your camera to manual mode to lock in the settings.
Intervalometer: Set it to take pictures every 2-3 minutes.
Lighting: Hang the plant lamp above your setup, ensuring it’s at the right distance to provide enough light without overheating the plant.
Focus and Exposure: Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to get the perfect lighting and sharpness. Keep ISO low to reduce noise.

Understanding Camera Settings:

ISO: This controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO value (e.g., 100 or 200) produces clearer images with less noise but requires more light. A higher ISO can be used in lower light conditions but may introduce more noise into the images.
Shutter Speed: This determines how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. A slower shutter speed allows more light to hit the sensor, which can brighten the image but may also cause motion blur if the subject is moving. A faster shutter speed captures images quickly, reducing motion blur but requiring more light.
Aperture: This is the size of the lens opening that allows light to enter the camera. It is measured in f-stops (e.g., f/2.8, f/8, f/16). A lower f-stop number means a larger opening, letting in more light and creating a shallower depth of field (blurry background). A higher f-stop number means a smaller opening, letting in less light but increasing the depth of field (more of the image in focus).

Growing Conditions for a Perfect Timelapse

To ensure your plant grows healthily and your timelapse looks amazing, consider these growing conditions:

Substrate: Use high-quality soil suitable for your plant type. For a dwarf sunflower, a well-draining potting mix is ideal.
Temperature: Maintain a consistent temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly and ensure good drainage.
Light: Provide 12-16 hours of light per day using your plant lamp.

Capturing the Growth

Start by filming how you plant the seed and cover it with soil. Then, switch to taking photos every few minutes. Periodically transfer pictures from the SD card to your PC to avoid running out of memory.

Editing Your Timelapse

Software: I use DaVinci Resolve for editing. Download the free version if you’re just starting.
Importing Photos: Create a new project and import your photos into the timeline.
Adjusting Speed: Combine the photos into a compound clip and adjust the speed for a smoother timelapse.
Adding Effects: Enhance your timelapse with color adjustments and text overlays to indicate growth stages.
Music: Choose a suitable track from sites like Epidemic Sound to add a finishing touch.

Equipment

Camera: Nikon D7500
- This DSLR camera captures high-quality images and videos in 4K resolution.
- Nikon D7500
Macro Lenses:
- Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm
  - Perfect for capturing detailed close-up shots of your plants.
  - Nikon 40mm Macro Lens
- Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX Makro
  - Another excellent option for macro photography with a bit more reach.
  - Sigma 105mm Macro Lens
Camera DC Adapter
- Keeps your camera powered without worrying about battery life.
- Camera DC Adapter
Intervalometer
- Automatically takes photos at set intervals.
- Neewer Intervalometer
Tripod
- Ensures your camera remains steady and allows for easy adjustments.
- Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod
Black Background
- Provides a clean, distraction-free background for your timelapse.
- Black Background
Plant Lamps:
- Plant Lamp #1
  - Provides consistent light using energy-efficient LEDs.
  - Roleadro LED Grow Light
- Plant Lamp #2
  - Another great option for ensuring your plants get enough light.
  - LED Grow Light

Rendering and Exporting

Finally, render your project. Adjust the resolution and format as needed, then add it to the render queue. Once rendered, enjoy your beautiful plant timelapse!

Equipment List for Creating a Plant Timelapse

To help you get started on your plant timelapse journey, here’s a comprehensive list of the equipment, music source, and video editing software you’ll need.

Music Source

Epidemic Sound
- A great source for finding high-quality music tracks for your timelapse videos.
- Epidemic Sound

Video Editing Software

DaVinci Resolve
- Powerful video editing software with a free version available.
- DaVinci Resolve

Conclusion

Creating a plant timelapse is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. By following this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a timelapse that captures the fascinating growth of your plants. Whether you’re a timelapse enthusiast or a gardening lover, this project is sure to bring joy and a sense of accomplishment. Happy filming from Interesting as FCK!