Why shoot timelapses?

Well if you don't see the attraction then of course you're not going to get it. That's like someone who hates Sushi trying to ask why other people like sushi, you just don't relate. I don't really understand what kind of answer you really think you're going to get that will satisfy you.
 
timelapses give you a detached, philosophical look at the world. with time sped up so greatly we realize how tiny and insignificant we are.

i remember a scene from the landmark timelapse film Koyaanisqatsi where the camera watched as thousands and thousands of people in New York boarded the subways there. it was like watching waves crash on a beach. it shows you that we are all just teeth on a sprocket.
 
Tom Lowe said:
timelapses give you a detached, philosophical look at the world. with time sped up so greatly we realize how tiny and insignificant we are.

i remember a scene from the landmark timelapse film Koyaanisqatsi where the camera watched as thousands and thousands of people in New York boarded the subways there. it was like watching waves crash on a beach. it shows you that we are all just teeth on a sprocket.

Exactly.

And yes, I suggest everyone to go and see Koyaanisqatsi. It really is a wonderful experience when you're in the right mindset.
 
In context they can be fantastic. We did a client video that was about a programme they had to accelerate growth and change within their company. So we used a simulated timelapse effect [DV video sped up and frame blended].

I'd have killed for a HVX at the time but that was a couple of years ago we did the video. We tried stock footage and couldn't find what we wanted. It was either too limited and the shots didn't sell what we wanted or they were too expensive.

Now with people shooting timelapse with their HVX and at HD res, it would have been perfect.

Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of balance, is a beautiful film, set to different music pieces and it takes a look at the life at the time [1983] in timelapse shots.

[Sorry Jeff you pipped me to the post, I just saw you recommended the same film].

Its an amazing film to sit back and watch and to see life across the continents drift past.

Try it.

Majormorgan
 
Why shoot timelapses?

That's the stupidest question i've heard yet on this site. It's like saying why do art? Why do photography? What's the attraction? Is there any attraction to beautiful images? Or does it always have to be part of some seriously moronic fiction film? The hvx is probably the best (not high end) camera for shooting video timelapses. It's one of the reasons i bought it over the dvx. But all you wannabe feature film directors who love to shoot bad shorts, could not have a clue as to why i revel in a good timelapse. And because the hvx is pretty recent technology, you are going to see a lot of timelapses "out of context" in this forum. The other attraction of timelapses is that it's natures way of saying F-U to all you producer/director types who feel that nothing is valid until it's been molded by your greesy paws. No . Seriously,. Maybe I'll start a thread called " why shoot producer types? I don't see the attraction. Ya they are pretty cool, put totally pointless out of context. I don't know what the attraction is because i find them boring. Just curious
 
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I dont see the attraction. Sure, they're cool, but they're also pretty pointless unless used in some meaningful context. I'm just curious about what the attraction is

Are you kidding me Nik ?

Without using pun; the timelapse gives us what it says it does; something in which we can't quite see

A timelapse gives us a detailed view of the most subtle events. Skies, people, cars, life racing by ... Imagine if we could catch our own life in a timelapse ?

Pointless ? They're breathtaking too watch and they put the concept of time in perspective
 
So...timelapse, a pointless art to some, an inspiration to others. The simplest answer to your question would be why complain about what other people do. If you don't find it interesting just don't watch it.

The other answer is that as everyone else on this board has said its a different perspective on time and the objects that move in time. For me its a way show myself a world that exists beyond my perception. Plus its just like any art where some people get it and others don't. Some people use water colors or oils and a canvas. I use light and a CMOS sensor.
 
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