Update

A lot of research has been happening so I haven't been able to do this blog for quite some time.

Here is an update of what I have learnt:

- Shoot in the middle of nowhere as light pollution causes too many troubles on shoot.
- Be prepared to stay outside for a while, this includes bringing spare batteries!
- Low aperture is key (f2.8 works best)
- Do not have an exposure over 15 seconds as the video will not look smooth.
- White balance to incandescent to give the sky a blue colour
- Do plenty of test shots before you begin the time lapse to make sure composition, colour and exposure is how you want it.
- Mockmoon2000 suggests using 6 second exposures and layering the time lapses in adobe after effects with a composite (screen) on the layers to brighten up the image.
- Be aware, but do not be afraid, of noise.

I downloaded a program called star trails and had a play around with making a time lapse with it. I used the photos I had taken from someone's farm out in Cheadle.



I also obtained adobe after effects and I am currently in the process of looking how to export my time lapses in the smoothest and highest quality.

I plan to do 3 nights and days of shooting with the Nikon d3 this weekend and I will edit a draft version of the documentary by Tuesday. This is the make or break shoot for the film so wish me luck!

Interval Shooting Timer Test

My test shoot of the stars did not go as planned because the weather let me down, however I did get a chance to look at the peak district at night and it seems a suitable place to go for my shoot.

As I could not test the interval shooting timer on the stars, I decided to do a time lapse of Mark and Sorcha. Here is how the shoot turned out.