Your eyes cannot see the tiny moments that make up the big picture. You can only wonder how the day progresses to night or how a bud transforms into a flower. With time-lapse photography, you can enjoy all those small moments.

If you think time-lapse is too complex, think again. Sure, you need to do some planning and prep work, but it is doable.

Things Required for Time-Lapse Photography

You can use a mirrorless or a DSLR camera for taking time-lapse photos. Most of the latest cameras come with a built-in intervalometer. If not, you may have to buy one. You can also use your iPhone or any smartphone with a time-lapse app.

Since time-lapse requires taking photos or videos at specified intervals, a tripod is a must. Depending on your project, you may or may not require artificial lighting.

Here's a roundup of all the exciting time-lapse projects you can try today.

1. Flower Blooming

Water Lily

This classic and straightforward time-lapse project doesn't need excessive planning. You will need a flowering plant with some buds. Since you're taking photos of the bud day and night, you will need artificial lighting.

To keep things simple, you can go for continuous lighting. If you're familiar with speedlights, you can use them too. We have step-by-step instructions for a blooming flower time-lapse, from setup to editing.

2. Butterfly Metamorphosis

Monarch Butterfly

If you have ever observed a caterpillar turning into a cocoon and emerging as a butterfly, you will probably agree that nothing is more fascinating than that. Capturing this remarkable transition can be a satisfying project.

Raising a monarch butterfly is relatively easy for people living in North America. You can look for milkweed plants and find an egg of the monarch butterfly. A quick Google search will point you in the right direction.

Get a transparent butterfly or insect habitat to focus on the caterpillar from the outside. A habitat with netted sides may not let your camera focus correctly.

3. Movement of the Milky Way Galaxy

Milky Way

Most of us living in light-polluted cities don't even realize that we can see the Milky Way galaxy with our eyes. But, you can actually see our home galaxy if you are in a place with no or minimal light pollution.

But, unlike the above projects, this one needs extensive planning. You can only see the Milky Way during certain times of the year. Also, you have to find a dark place near you with no light pollution. You can check Dark Site Finder for more information on finding a clear sky.

One of the issues with astrophotography is star trails. If you don't want them in your photos, you must buy special equipment like a star tracker. Here's our guide to taking amazing astrophotos.

4. Day to Night Transition

Night time Lake

Day and night come every day, so it is easy to overlook them. But, with a time-lapse, you can see the transition in less than a minute. You don't need many tools or special planning. Just find a natural spot near you—a beach, farm, or a valley. Then, set your camera on the tripod and let it click away.

Depending on where you're photographing, you may or may not need artificial lighting. But carry basic lighting equipment just in case, you don't want to hike to a mountain top only to find that you need extra light.

5. People on the Street

Dubai Downtown

Popular tourist destinations are always buzzing with people. A street time-lapse is a great way to capture all the hustle and bustle. If you like people-watching, this is a great project to try.

You can spend a whole day or a few hours capturing the scenes. Place your camera and tripod on a street corner and find a comfortable spot to sit. Or, enjoy a cuppa in one of the outdoor cafés. Being prepared is the key to successful street photography.

6. Nighttime Vehicle Motion

Vehicles at Night

For the city-dwellers living in high-rise apartments, this is an easy project to do right from your balcony. You don't even need a tripod. Instead, a table and a couple of books can be used as a make-shift stabilizer.

The shutter speed should be low enough to let more light into your camera. At the same time, ensure you're not making it too slow that there are light trails. And it is essential to balance the ISO properly so that you don't end up with too much noise.

7. Boats in a Marina

Boats in Marina

Taking time-lapse photos of boats in a dock or marina can be an interesting project to do in the summer. The boats coming in and out of the pier can be fun to watch. You don't need anything other than a camera and a tripod.

You can also try taking a hyper-lapse video. It is a moving time-lapse where you physically move your camera to take different pictures. But, you may require special gear like a motorized slider.

8. Storm Clouds in the Sky

Clouds over Mountain

Do you love lying down on the grass and looking at the clouds move? Then, capture the cloud movement with a time-lapse video. If you find storm clouds, it can be even more dramatic. Remember to keep your camera sheltered away from the rain.

9. Water Movement

Waterfall

Seeing water photos can be relaxing, but you can take them up a notch higher by adding movement. Be it ocean waves or waterfalls, having a time-lapse option can give your viewers a sense of calm and serenity.

We have some great tips for you to capture beautiful water photos here.

10. Season and Weather Changes

Autumn Leaves

You can try time-lapse projects based on weather and seasons too. For example, fresh autumn leaves falling, snowfall, and rainfall can be ideal subjects for a time-lapse video.

To capture the seasonal changes, you should be at the right spot at the right time. So, carry your camera and tripod while you're out hiking and keep a tab on the weather.

If you're exposing your camera to elements, make sure it is weatherproof or use a case to protect it.

Have Fun With Time-Lapse Photography

With a time-lapse video, you can see things that can take hours or days in mere seconds or minutes. But, it needs proper planning. You should know your camera capabilities and will probably need some extra gear items.

It's good to have a tripod, continuous lights or speed lights, extra batteries, and a memory card for your camera.

As with everything else, the first time-lapse will be the hardest. But, once you learn the ropes, you will be coming back to it, again and again.