Slide, Walk, Crawl, Repeat - Playground Time Lapse Video

I shot this at the mall several months ago I would have liked to used a different camera angle but I didn't figure many parents would like the fact that I was taping their children! I was here with my daughter and she had a blast as always.

In a rare move though, I think she actually requested to leave whereas the standard operating procedure usually dictates that I have to pull her away from the fun! But not to worry, I usually let her roll a good 2-3 hours before I pull the plug.


Slide, Walk, Crawl, Repeat! - Click here for more blooper videos

Swing It! - Swings Time Lapse Video

No, we did not hijack the swings in order to get our turn. The kids were busy eating lunch...class field trip! I think it was a homemade set and so I was quite pleased that it did not fold under pressure if you catch my drift. It just felt a little light...not the standard iron/steel combos you usually see at the park.

Someone said getting the kids (not myself and my friend) would have made a better clip and while I agree, the kids really didn't have time to swing! They were all over the play scape instead for the most part.



Swing It! - Swings Time Lapse Video - Watch the best video clips here

®adical Ca®t Cam - Shopping Ca®t Time Lapse Video

This video is a variation on an older one. I did another one like this, Where's Waldomart but the camera was topside, above the basket. This one is below the basket and give you more of a sports car feel :)

I think this one is better though and not just because I did the music to go along with it. The first one was an experiment of sorts just to see what it would look like and it was also hurried. This one I took my time and tried to place the cart in good spots to capture some action when possible.

I'd still like to get one in a big wheel though, that's what these remind me of.



Radical Cart Cam - Shopping Cart Time Lapse Video - The most popular videos are here

_/|\_ Mall Rat - Walking In The Mall Time Lapse Video _/|\_

Just a simple stroll through the mall, lots of potential TLV's that could be made there especially during the Christmas season. Yeah I said it, Christmas - none of this "holiday" bull crap...but I digress :D

The music is my 2nd attempt at creating tracks! It's a lot of fun and I'm sure as I move forward it'll come to me and contain more musical merit. Right now the challenging part is just sifting through the thousands of samples - seeing what works with what.

I meant to post this weeks ago but it was right before vacation. Being that we are back now I am behind and have lots more to post soon so I'll keep this one to a minimum.


Mall Rat - Walking In The Mall Time Lapse Video - The best home videos are here

Ice Cream Headache - Ice Cream Time Lapse Video!

My daughter and I enjoying a bowl of ice cream at the mall. It's a healthy 1 scoop of cookies and cream and I guess @ $2.50 or whatever it was it should be a big scoop!!

Whenever we go to the mall she wants the Chic-fil-a and then the IC afterwards! I can't say as I blame her as I am usually clamoring for the same thing(s). This time around instead of the chicken club sandwich I tried one of their spicy chicken wraps...quite tasty! I highly recommend one if you'd never had one!

Her next favorite part of the mall is the play scape that they have...I got some video of that as well :) Stay tuned for that in weeks to come!


Ice Cream Headache - Ice Cream Time Lapse Video! - Click here for the funniest movie of the week

Dirty Laundry! - Washing Machine Time Lapse Video

You've never seen a load of laundry go so fast! 35minutes of a laundry cycle completed in 2 minutes!

I had to modify the washing machine to be able to run with the top up but I had already done that like a year ago (long story there).

Ok, I've got time. I thought it was a real time waster, to load the entire cycle while the washer just sat there dry. I really wanted to start the water and then add the clothes as it usually takes a good 5 minutes to fill the entire thing. How impatient am I that I can't wait an extra 5 minutes??? Don't answer that ;-)

So a while back I started stuffing a feather duster handle into the slot that contains the safety switch for the lid...all was well and working fine for several months until I jammed the handle in there too hard one day and it busted the switch :-(

So I had to tie some electrical tape around the switch so that the washer could run at all...needless to say it is not the safest washing machine in the neighborhood but it sure came in handy for the video!


Dirty Laundry! - Washing Machine Time Lapse Video - Click here for more amazing videos

Parking In The Lot - Park & Drive Time Lapse Video

A rare dusk drive to the 'ol Wal-mart...I promise I go other places! I really wanted to hit the sunset that day as the clouds were pretty cool but my destination did not afford me the proper vantage point to which to view said sunset. Too bad water towers are of limits, those would allow me to get above all the %#%* neighborhoods!

This is a new Wal-mart so it's clean! But being that it's new and in a relatively small 'town' it's not super busy which is great whenever you have to shop there.



Parking In The Lot - Park & Drive Time Lapse Video - Celebrity bloopers here

The time I went to 5 Walgreen's in 2 Hours....No, I was not robbing them! - Driving Time Lapse Video

I really did drive to 5 different Walgreen's in just over 2 hours. Was I looking for a strategic balm or ointment? No! Nor was I robbing them or looking for clearance items.

I actually do a little mystery shopping on the side. You've heard them advertised on the radio...earn $$ and keep merchandise...yada, yada, yada. Believe me, it's not all it's cut out to be. By the time you have to study the shop, do the shop, and write up the shop, and buy gas you are working for dirt cheap...most likely less than min. wage in some cases! It's more of a hobby to get me out of the house I think!

But anyway this was a Sunday afternoon, I got a little procrastination action happening and I managed to have this many shops due that day!

Funny thing is that I looked in my TLV folder and there is another segment! I think this video only show 4 different stops...but oh well! You get the idea!


The Time I Went To 5 Walgreen's In 2 Hours....Driving Time Lapse - For more funny videos, click here

Radioactive Popsicle II - TimeLapse Video

This is a 2nd attempt of Radioactive Popsicle - TimeLapse Video. Originally I wanted to include all 8 'Popsicles' but I was unsure of how they would melt. The first one actually did it pretty fast, I was able to compress the time and it looked like a steady melting process.

For some reason this new batch did not melt as fast. Maybe it was not as hot that day or maybe the time of day which I did it! So I basically had to compress the time twice with this new video. I need to figure out the exact time parameters. I think it's 5 times faster than the original.

I like the way the ice melts though so I've been thinking of a few variations on a theme but I probably won't shoot them anytime soon, that is unless of course I just run out of other ideas!


Radioactive Popsicle II - TimeLapse Video - Amazing videos are here

Front 242 - Clouds Time Lapse Video

Filmed from the top of my daughters 'Rainbow' playscape, this is a quick front that passed through the area.

And while I know clouds have been done to death with TLV's, having done some myself (Roving Clouds), I wanted to do this one b/c it was a rare instance where the sunset and clouds came together to make it interesting enough to film IMO.

What I really need to do is find a good backdrop and film storms coming in from a distance. The area isn't very flat at all though, might take me a long time to find a good spot!


Front 242 - Clouds Time Lapse Video - Click here for another funny movie.

Wax on, Wax Off - Candles Melting Time Lapse Video

I know, I know, everyone in the universe (< = everyone) has seen candles melt but how often do you see them melt @ high speed! In my estimation as least 7 times less than the previous number of 2.8 billion.

I am getting to that point where ideas are hard to come by...not desperate yet but I am starting to have to use my brain and if you knew me you'd know that it's a risky affair to do so. Candles were an easy fit b/c I have them and they show movement! A good match both time and movement for this application so I went for it :)


Wax On, Wax Off - Candles Melting Time Lapse Video - Free videos are just a click away

Spys Like Us - The most boring Time Lapse Video EVER...DP Spy

Be it the boring or redundant content and/or the lack of "trim" - this was not very well received by the folks @ DP. I happen to like it if for no other reason than the music but c'est la vie!! (Such is life).

I suppose I could have added a few thing to make it more interesting, made it 90% shorter..now I know :)

But aside from all of that it did get me some more interested in my videos, which is just for fun anyway.

(K)night Rider - Night Driving Time Lapse Video

My first night drive but definitely not my last. I was actually planning on going all the way downtown to the state capital but construction on the interstate put me behind schedule, so I had to pull a u-turn instead :(

The hard part is/was showing it to be bright enough in those areas that are not that well lit. So far I have found that it's a lot harder to alter video than it is pictures in terms of exposure. There is a lot less latitude obviously, especially consideing the thriftiness of my equipment. Now I know why prosumer camcorders run in the several thousands of $$.

I think it came out pretty decent. Just have to remember to stay to those places that have a lot of street lights :D


(K)night Rider - Time Lapse Video - Click here for more free videos

HAF (Hyper Active Fish) - Time Lapse Video

Say hello to our other pet fish(es), plastic though they may be! I bought this years ago as part of a themed date night with the Mrs., She got a kick out of it for sure.

The light is the natural light of the tank, I did not add any additional light. The bubble control is a knob on the side, you can go little or a lot. Twice during the video I adjusted the flow but you cannot see my hand either time.

I think if I shoot it again I will change the flow more often to really give to variances.



HAF (Hyper Active Fish) - Time Lapse Video - Click here for more home videos

Rain Rain OMF (On My Face) - Driving Time Lapse Video

This is a driving video on my way to the doctors office in morning rush hour traffic while it was raining. A rare chance to see both as I do not commute nor am I usually on the road when it rains.

This was during the early part of the summer though when it rained nearly everyday for the better part of 2-3 weeks. It was an unusually mild beginning to the summer for us. But not to worry, the heat is here and making up for lost time it would seem. We've had a few days pushing near 100 but thankfully not as many as we might usually have by this time of year!

Maybe more surprising is that I drove all that way and didn't See an accident. Austin has a large number of fender benders it seems whenever it rains. People either drive way too fast or way too slow when it rains here in TX.

I think a night time rain drive would even be more fun to see, 
all the reflections for the lights would be great I think!


Rain Rain OMF (On My Face) - Driving Time Lapse Video - Funny bloopers R us

Poolio - Pool TimeLapse Video

This is my daughter and I at our neighborhood pool. This was early in the summer, one of the few times in the early part of the summer where it was not raining.

The opening part where we look like we are doing deep knee bends, I am actually splashing water onto the concrete, trying to subdue a fire ant mound and trail. There was a massive fire ant trail leading to the awning where it just so happened to be a birds nest. I;m not sure if the ants perpetrated the nest but I certainly didn't want them to have a easy time of it. Yes, I hate fire ants! I tried to get some video of them but I did not have a suitable tri-pod with me. In fact this video was shot from our beach towel on top of a picnic table.

I think next year I will invest on an underwater housing for the camera and then go back on a busier day, that would be fun to watch I bet! The only problem is that the housing for this particular camera costs nearly as much as the camera itself! I might just get a housing, suited for another camera but usable with mine. That way I can still do video, I just won't be able to actuate the shutter to take individual pictures.



Poolio - Pool TimeLapse Video - The most amazing bloopers are here

Radioactive Popsicle - TimeLapse Video

This was an experiment of sorts. I had no earthly idea how long it would take for these "special" popsicles to melt. I wound up compressing the time of the video which showed nearly a continuous flow of the melting process. I think it turned out really well. I guess I should try it on a much larger scale and then add additional heat to the mix in order to make it even more dramatic.

The popsicle mix? Well if you are familiar with black lights, the solutions used should not be any surprise at all. I guess if you really want to know make a comment and I'll let you know ;)

The next video I did of the same style was actually 4 of them but they did not move around as much as the old mix had dried up and caked the bottom of the pyrex dish...it had much traction...wasn't going to be a whole lot of slipping and sliding there! Oh well :o


Radioactive Popsicle - TimeLapse Video - The best home videos are here

Red H¤T Lava - Lava Lamp Timelapse Video

This was tough to shoot b/c of the orientation of the lamp versus the orientation of the camera; see portrait vs. landscape. I guess I could have turned the camera on its side or even rotated the video in post but oh well! Next time I'll make the adjustment. I made another video already but it's similar to this one. ..

By tough to shoot I mean I couldn't get the camera in a position to avoid the hot spots near the bulb. Ultimately I'd like to get the camera a lot lower in the frame so that the bright sections are not as dominant.

I did like the way the light danced and bounced around on the white poster board backdrop. It was the fresh and the funky ;)

While I know there are a million lava lamp videos on YT, I hope mine is at least more interesting than the one I saw the other day...it was just a regular video in some guys room...music was lame :O


Red Hot Lava - Lava Lamp Time Lapse Video - Watch a funny movie here

For Da Boids - TimeLapse Video

This was a rare treat this summer, to have a nest of barn swallows right outside our back door.

The mother and father must have been quite ambitious as they actually raised 2 litters? There must be a different word for birds as opposed to cats say? Whatever it is I do not know! Perhaps too, the 2 sets of chicks is also normal. Clearly I am not a barn swallow expert!

I also got a fair amount of photographs but I was usually shooting from inside and so the lighting was never very good. Next year I'll set everything up outside and then fire the shutter via remote!!

This is the seconds set of chicks numbering 5. The first set was only 4...only ;)


For Da Boids - Birds Time Lapse Video - The funniest bloopers are right here

McShake It!!! Time Lapse Video _-_-_

I told you I was going to have quite a few driving videos! If anyone wants to see the much higher quality version by all means let me know and I'll find a spot to post them (I think that's called a link :p)

This drive was to a local sports store and then a quick side trip to McD drive-thru. The DT is a lot of fun to see, I imagine a toll booth would also be a trip.

I also want to get some nighttime drive in there soon. Downtown Austin especially ould yield great results I think! Stay tuned!!


McShake It!!! - Time Lapse Video - The best bloopers are a click away

Where's Waldomart - Time Lapse Video

This is by all accounts a trial run. I kind of figured at some point I'd get busted bringing a camera inside of Wal-mart and "rolling tape" but no one ever noticed! I thought for sure the cashier would see the camera as she was only 1 foot from the thing when she placed some bags in my cart!!

It was an actual shopping trip though, and that's why I am twisting and turning so much. I have to remember that any little movement is amplified 10 fold on the time lapse video.

Another funny thing I wanted to try is mounting the camera on my daughter's big wheel :)
I thought that would make for some interesting perspectives.

So here we are, screaming through Wal-mart like a bat our of heck!


Where's Waldomart - A Shopping Trip @ Wal-Mart TimeLapse Video - Funny videos are here

¤¤¤ Safety Dance - TimeLapse Video ¤¤¤

Just me and two of the guys I play racquetball with 3 times a week. Sure they're 1-2 decades older than me but the great thing about racquetball, age and even size rarely give you any advantage/disadvantage! What they lack in speed and mobility they more than make up for it with their skills! I have no skills so I have to reply more on my speed ;)

When I brought the camera to the court, I wasn't even sure if I would be able to utilize it based on the location of the court and the limited viewing angles where I could set the camera. I wound up putting the camera in a little box (that each court has) on the backside of the court in a little wall cutout.

The video spans about 50 minutes or maybe close to 60, during which time we usually have enough time to play three games.


Safety Dance - Racquetball Time Lapse Video - Amazing videos are here

Obey Your Fast - Time Lapse Video

Another driving video, this one has a twist compared to the Blockbuster Blitzkrieg entry. But like the Blockbuster Blitzkrieg, since it has lots of movement, Youtube was not very kind to me on the transcoding. It's a lot better than Blockbuster Blitzkrieg though as far as the pixelation is concerned.

I think the driving videos are one of the most interesting subjects though, a 15 minute ride to the store turns out to be a 50 second clip and usually has loads to visual candy to look at. I foresee doing lots of them just for that reason but the hard part will be keeping them interesting. over the long haul.

This one is actually 2 clips with a twist, hopefully you'll be able to recognize the twist! And I'll try to upload the myspace version but as of right now I keep getting an error...big surprise.


Obey Your Fast - Time Lapse Driving Video - Watch more amazing videos here

¹²³ Roving Clouds ³²¹

This was our first day at the pool this summer or close to it anyway. We've had a super wet summer thus far, it has rained like 70% of the days in the last month I beleive. So this sunny day was a nice reprieve. Funny thing is, we haven't been back since due to weather or health issues.

Gorgeous morning, great clouds, fun video to watch over time lapse...can you imagine how boring it would be without the time lapse :-)

Roving Clouds - Time Lapse Video - Watch the top videos of the week here

-----------------------------------------------------------
EDIT 07/09/07

• Sombody gave me 'guff' over the effects I did in this video, and of course I care what people think for some strange reason, so I recut the video. This time I did it without any special effects, outside of the titles and watermark. Enjoy :-)

Blockbuster Blitzkrieg / Why YouTube's Transcoding sucks Butt!

I learned a valuable lesson in trying to complete the posting process of this newest video.

Actually the lesson is twofold though they both pertain to the same thing.

1) Motion in YouTube videos is very bad
2) Youtube's transcoding sucks butt, that is to say antiquated and outdated.

Basically YouTube transcodes the video into an FLV (Flash video file) @ 250kbps. Not only that, but they resize the video to fit 425x318 pixels on their site so most videos look stretched; source:

My High Resolution Videos Look Terrible in YouTube, Why?

So my file, while it looked great on my PC in virtually any format or encoding rate, looked like a 18 year old VHS tape once I uploaded it to YouTube...even after following all the advice on Cinetech's website.

However, I finally lucked out by trying MySpace's video service. I'm not sure what version of transcoding they employ but I suspect it is much better than YouTube's based on the results I saw. While the video is still only about 77% as good as my PC version, the MySpace file is lightyears better than YouTube's.

But don't take my word for it, see for yourself:

MySpace:
Check out this video: Blockbuster Blitzkrieg



Add to My Profile | More Videos



Metacafe:



Blockbuster Blitzkrieg - Watch a funny movie here
____________________

As for the story behind the video...the camera was mounted to my dash, and by mounted I mean I held it there with my finger for most of the shirt ride. I have since used a tri-pod mount though it need some work as far as stabilization is concerned.

My Fish Loves Metal!!!!!!!

This blog will be dedicated to creating time lapse videos. Any ideas that you have for 'subjects', by all means leave them as comments! I would love to hear from you in that regard.

The most common ones that I have access to will be our pet fish and while driving (but not at the same time). I actually created a little rig for the camera to be on my dashboard. It still needs some work but check back soon for that new video.

And so: A time lase video of our Beta fish set to some heavy metal :-P


My Fish Loves Metal!!!!!!! Fish Time Lapse Video - The funniest videos are a click away

Note: The fish was not harmed in the making of this video, nor was he actually submitted to 120dB of music ;)

The Equipment: Canon PowerShot SD1000 Digital ELPH

We finally got around to buying a small portable camera that we could take everywhere we go, the Canon Powershot SD1000 Digital Elph.

So far it has been outstanding. The picture quality is great and the video features are equally impressive.

The only negative I would have to give it thus far, like with most P&S (point & shoot) cameras, it has a considerable amount of shutter lag. Other than that we love it so far.

One of the features I am really excited about is the time lapse video setting. It will take 1 frame a second or 1 frame every 2 seconds for up to 2 hours. The end result is a video that is compressed from 2 hours into 4 or 8 minutes.

It is able to do this because normally the video is shot 30fps (frame rate). So if you only shoot one frame per second for 30 seconds, once played back, you'll see those 30 frames go by in only 1 second!

Did I loose you? I hope not! By the next post you'll know what I mean once you see one of the video I have done :)