DIY - How to Make 360° Time Lapse Photography

Friday, 6 April 2012

A cool technique i saw to make time lapse photos more interesting is actually really easy. While taking the photos, the camera is mounted on a kitchen timer; the timer rotates as the pictures are being taken.

I was going to originally use an old kitchen timer i had.



But it didn't seem like it would be very solid to attach a camera to and the spring didn't have a lot of torque.
So here's the timer i used. I got it from Ikea, it's called the Ordning. It's great for this because it is heavy and flat.
To attach a camera to the timer i used JB Weld and attached a 1/4-20 bolt to the top.

Then i also attached two nuts to the side. That way i can either take pictures on by setting the timer on a flat surface or attach to a tripod.
Here's what a time lapse video looks like using the timer. I actually posted earlier while making the Pine Beds.

http://youtu.be/l1BHDsWKuSI

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Joby Gorillapod Tripod Return Policy

Monday, 19 March 2012

A few weeks ago, when i was using my DIY - polarizing filter and DIY - ND filter i broke my new Joby Gorillapod tripod. It was really cold and as i was shutting the tripod, the plastic leg snapped.

So i emailed Joby Gorillapod, told them what happened, included my Amazon order information and the picture above. They responded that day saying that they would send me a replacement. Three days later a brand new Gorillapod tripod showed up in the mail. It was great.
I actually didn't think they were going to send me a new one so i tried fixing the old tripod the day before the new one arrived.

Just gluing the plastic legs wouldn't work so i inserted the two ends in a piece of PVC tubing and then sealed it with some J.B. Weld epoxy. It didn't look so good but it worked.

Now i guess i have two mini tripods.

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Water with a Homemade ND Filter

Saturday, 10 March 2012

While i was out testing my DIY - Camera Polarizing Filter, i also brought my DIY - ND Filter i made from a piece of welding glass. I was really happy with how the pictures came out before when i was at Lake Erie.

Here's a slow-moving river near Flat Rock, Michigan.

The ND filter makes a very calm effect. The blurs in the picture are a flock of geese.

I used my new Manfrotto Tripod and it worked great, it was smaller and a lot easier to carry around.

The same picture as before, converted to black and white.

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Manfrotto Tripod Review

Saturday, 25 February 2012

On Slickdeals i saw this tripod (Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y Tripod with Ball Head) being sold for 50% off and free shipping from Costco. It normally sells for $70 on Amazon.

I like how compact it is and the adjustable swivel head attachment. But i'll have to eyeball the camera being level, especially on shots outside with the horizon.


It's small, light, strong enough.
And it comes with it's own bag which is nice.

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