REWIND A FEW years, and the idea of using a smartphone to record professional-level video footage seemed ridiculous.
Now, it’s a reality, thanks to advances in tech and design. Case in point is the new Samsung Galaxy S9, which – along with the Galaxy S9+ – features dual aperture, optical image stabilisation and more.
These kinds of features make it possible to create super-slick footage with minimal effort, including timelapses and hyperlapses.
Well, at least in theory.
How easy is it in real life? To find out, we let videographer Dara of Absolute Visuals loose in Dublin city, armed with the S9, to see how he fared. Check out his results in the video above, and read on below for his start-to-finish guide…
Dara recorded in a number of locations for the video, but his favourite clip was shot at the Samuel Beckett bridge (take a look at 0:03 above).
“There was an interesting sky with cloud coverage to show the passage of time, and the lighting was perfect,” he explains.
The best time to record a hyperlapse or timelapse, in my opinion, is during the ‘blue hour’ right after sunset.
With a timelapse, the camera is either held still or moves only very short distances, giving the impression of a snapshot of time in a particular place. You’ll see Dara’s timelapses at O’Connell Bridge, College Green and more at the start and end of the video above.
A hyperlapse, meanwhile, usually involves the camera moving over considerable distances. In this case, Dara walked from Stephen’s Green to Henry St, a 30-minute walk which gave him around 50 seconds of video footage:
I know Dublin well, but if I’m recording a timelapse or hyperlapse somewhere new, I’ll do some research beforehand.
Whatever you’re filming, Dara recommends arriving well ahead of your planned start time, if you have one – particularly for a timelapse where you need to frame the perfect shot:
If you’re really serious about the result looking great, allow yourself at an hour or so to choose the right shot and get set up.
Speaking of setting up…
For a timelapse video, like Dara’s ones above, a tripod is essential. “You can use any tripod you like, a professional level one or one of the cheaper portable ones with the movable arm,” says Dara.
For the walking hyperlapse, Dara used a handheld camera mount. Luckily, the S9′s image stabilisation features mean you can get similar results by simply holding the phone steady in front of your chest.
Just be prepared to walk slowly. Take a step, pause, then take another step.
Both the S9 and the S9+ will tell you how long your finished timelapse or hyperlapse video will be as soon as you press record. Even so, be prepared to do some waiting around, particularly for a timelapse:
Whether you’re using a smartphone or a camera, making a timelapse means you’ll be standing for two or three hours.
“Walking through Dublin with a camera held in front of you, or standing at traffic lights with a tripod, you’re going to stick out a bit,” says Dara.
Luckily, even if a nosey passer-by does stick their head in shot, it’ll only last a split second in the finish product.
Other obstacles can be harder to avoid:
You might notice a bin van coming right towards the camera on Grafton Street, during the hyperlapse [at 0:15]. I knew if I swerved to avoid him the video would look jerky, so I stood my ground, and he moved for me in the end!
Introducing the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+. With a revolutionary camera that adapts like the human eye, you can capture stunning video and photos at any time of day or night. Plus Infinity Display, a face and iris recognition system, real-time translation and AKG-tuned stereo speakers. Find out more about the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ here.
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