Have you ever recorded a video of a busy city street, people walking on a crosswalk, or the moving stars at night? If you have, then you know how impossible it is to capture the full extent of this beauty. Often it ends up in extremely long hours of video footage that can be hard to watch. Well, this is where time-lapse comes in.
Time-lapse is basically a way of miniaturizing long periods (usually hours) into short videos of a few seconds or minutes. It is a creative tool used by videographers and editors to depict time passage at a certain shooting location. They then integrate it into a sequence within the video to show that a certain amount of time passed by.
If you are looking for the best time-lapse video editor for your raw footage, read on as we help you choose the best software for the job.
Time-lapse software is a tool that assists in the editing of raw time-lapse footage. Typically, it is used to make a video recording event go faster. It does this by manipulating how the frame rate or playback speed is captured. Besides enhancing speed, you can use it to perform exposure ramping, integrate music or animation videos.
Recording a time-lapse video is extremely slow and detailed work. You want to make sure you get the most out of the video by choosing a quality time-lapse video maker.
So, what should you consider when choosing a time-lapse editor? Let's take a look.
The first thing people consider when buying anything is how much it will cost. And a time-lapse maker is no exception. You want software that has all the features you need but still within your budget. Remember, you always get what you pay for. The more pricey software tends to come with a lot more handy features.
Therefore, if your videos require a wide range of advanced effects and tools, invest in slightly more expensive software, and you will get back the same value.
There are also several free time-lapse editors that you can choose from to help you make simple edits like rotating, cropping, and adding speed control to your videos. Such software can be a good place to start as you develop your skills.
Importing photos refers to the ability to take photos from your gallery and integrate them into the video. Accompanying your video with photos is always a plus, as it enhances the presentation.
Well, an efficient lapse-time maker will not only allow you to blend in your photos but also make it easy to export time-lapse photos as videos. You can find this feature in the GoPro time-lapse software.
Your time-lapse maker of choice should be able to easily assemble numerous still images into the frame. As you create the video, you may also want to show certain still images alongside the video. The ability to pull out these frames when required is an important add-on for creative time-lapse videos.
When starting out, having a user-friendly interface can be a priceless advantage. Simple software allows you to learn as it intuitively displays the effects you require for your videos.
Time-lapse videography is already a laborious job. You don't want to spend more time than you should be creating a one-minute video. For this reason, some software also come with easy-to-understand tutorials and directions that help save time and make the editing process more enjoyable.
However, don't be too quick to give up on an interface if you can't grasp it right away. Some of them just take some getting used to. Once you get the hang of it, you'll come to enjoy the editing process.
Editing needs are unique depending on what the video is meant to showcase. If you need simple edits such as trimming, cropping and manipulating speed, then a free time-lapse editor may suffice.
For advanced editing techniques, find software that can assist you in batch editing of your still photos. Some also have additional high-quality effects and will allow you to remove any unwanted background noise.
An efficient tool will allow you to export your videos in different formats to accommodate different devices. The very best time-lapse makers allow you to share the video over social media platforms like YouTube.
Are you looking for a fast time-lapse editor that you can use to edit your footage?
Check out the Roxio Creator. It's a simple-to-use editing software with video and photo editing tools and top graphics that will help bring your video to life.
A time-lapse video maker can be an invaluable addition to any serious editor's tools. They come with a ton of features that make editing a breeze. As you acquire your editing software, be sure to consider all the mentioned factors.
Also, as we mentioned, interacting with new software always seems daunting at first. It requires a lot of patience as you learn how to access and apply its features. Once you beat that learning curve, you'll be editing like a pro in no time.