CMPG HANDS-ON MEETING
An Introduction to Timelapse Photography
Our May Hands-On Group activity will be an introduction to timelapse video. This is an activity for all skill levels. We'll start by discussing settings and important concepts. Thenwe'll set up our gear and create a timelapse. We'll end with a demonstration of how to process in Lightroom and assemble in a video editor.
When: 20 May 2026, 6:30 to 9:00 PM
Where: The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, 9100 Fathers Legacy, Ellicott City, MD 21042 LearningCenter, Terrace Level. Click here for map
Overview:
“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of Shoes and ships and sealing wax
Of cabbages and kings
And why the sea is boiling hot
And whether pigs have wings.”
-- Lewis Carroll*
The objective of this meeting will be to familiarize yourself with creating timelapse video with your camera. We’ll take two hours of misery and reduce it to a few seconds of fun. We’ll answer the mystery of what an intervalometer is and more importantly how to use the one built into your camera.
We’ll go over the essentials:
A stable platform
Tripod
A comfortable chair.
Electronic Shutter
During the course of capture, you might be taking 1000 i mages or so. You may want to save wear and tear on your mechanical shutter.
• Manual Focus
o We’re not creating that type of moving image
o And yes, back button focus works here...
• Manual Exposure
o Keeping the exposure uniform will improve the overall aesthetic
• Timing
o 24, 30, 60 etc
We’ll create a short timelapse. This is our hands-on activity. We’ll all set up and time-lapse a slow-moving subject. And last I’ll demonstrate assembly techniques with Lightroom and a video editor.
Please bring your patience and cooperation. Time-lapse is a unique animal. Lots of planning, some math, watching grass grow, and some tedious processing. But a rewarding output makes it worthwhile.
What to bring:
• Camera
• A moderate telephoto or zoom
• Tripod
What to prepare:
Familiarize yourself with your camera’s intervalometer (timelapse) menu settings. It might be a good idea to download your camera manual to your phone (or bring your paper copy).
References:
* Lewis Carroll, “Chapter 4: The Walrus and the Carpenter,” Through the Looking-Glass. Macmillan & Co., 1872
