Assemble a timelapse in Photoshop: easy!

Assembling a timelapse in Photoshop is an exciting and creative task. In this article, we will guide you step by step to transform your hundreds of photos into a stunning accelerated video.

Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, Photoshop offers powerful tools to create a quality timelapse. Follow our tips to optimize each step, from preparing the files to the final export.

Learn also how to use Adobe Lightroom and Premiere Pro for advanced editing and professional montages. Discover how to enhance your images and captivate your audience with a perfect timelapse.

6 steps to assemble a timelapse in Photoshop

First of all, if you don't know what we're talking about, I invite you to discover our timelapse manual.

Preparing files for the timelapse in Photoshop

Make sure to prepare your files well before you start. Place the photos intended for the timelapse in a specific folder. Eliminate bad shots and ensure that the photos have sequential names like sky01, sky02, sky03, etc.

Good organization of your files facilitates the import process and minimizes errors. Naming your files consistently allows Photoshop to recognize them as a continuous sequence. Before importing, check the quality of the photos and remove any that are blurry or poorly exposed. This step is crucial for obtaining a smooth and quality timelapse.

Importing images into Photoshop

In Photoshop, click on File > Open to select your files in RAW or JPEG format. Go to your folder and choose the first photo. Check the image sequence box and then click Open.

When importing your images, ensure that all photos in the sequence are in the same format (JPEG, PNG, etc.). The "image sequence" option allows Photoshop to automatically recognize the order of the photos and import them as a continuous sequence. If your images are of different sizes, consider resizing them to ensure a smooth transition in the timelapse.

Setting the frame rate

Select the frame rate of your sequence. A higher frame rate, like 25 frames per second, offers smoother movements. Note that the higher the frame rate, the shorter the duration of the video will be.

You can test different values, specifically between 15, 20, and 25 frames per second to see what works best for your timelapse in Photoshop.

The frame rate determines the fluidity of your timelapse. A frame rate of 24 to 30 frames per second is ideal for optimal fluidity, especially for scenes with a lot of movement. Experiment with different frame rates to find the one that suits your project best. Keep in mind that higher frame rates require more images and may increase rendering time.

Using the animation panel

Open the Animation panel by going to the Window > Animation menu. You will see a timeline that provides an overview of the animation.

The Photoshop animation panel is a powerful tool for creating and editing timelapses. You can adjust the duration of each image, add transitions and effects. For more precise editing, use the timeline's zoom feature to view each image individually. This allows you to fine-tune each transition and ensure a smooth and coherent sequence.

Read also: Filming with a drone

Working on color grading and effects

Photoshop allows you to process the entire sequence as a single file. Use Photoshop's traditional tools to adjust color grading: effects, balance, saturation, etc., using layers and masks.

Be careful: choose the frame rate first before working on the visual render. If not done, move on to the next step to export the sequence and compare different versions.

Color grading applies to the exported video file and thus to all the photos. If you adjust the shadows on the first photo, this setting will apply to all subsequent ones.

Color management is essential for an attractive timelapse. Use adjustment curves to tweak tones, contrasts, and saturations. Layer masks allow you to target specific areas of each image for precise adjustments. For color consistency, apply the same settings to all images in the sequence. Also consider using Lightroom for preliminary adjustments before importing into Photoshop.

Exporting a timelapse in Photoshop

Exporting the sequence

Go to File > Export > Render Video. Name your file and set up the settings according to your needs (export for the web, integration into a film, etc.). Check out our article on the recommended settings by Vimeo and YouTube for uploading your files to their platforms.

If you want to integrate your timelapse into a video montage, export it at a higher resolution than your future film. A higher resolution allows for cropping and zooming without quality loss. Timelapse photos generally have a resolution 3 to 4 times higher than HD files.

Exporting your timelapse is the last critical step. Choose the right format and resolution for your project. For online distribution, opt for formats recommended by platforms like Vimeo and YouTube. If you integrate the timelapse into a larger project, use a higher resolution than your final film to allow for post-export adjustments without quality loss. Photoshop's advanced export options offer customized settings to meet specific needs, such as color management and compression profile.

By following these steps, you can easily assemble a timelapse in Photoshop. This editing software provides endless possibilities to perfect your videos. Feel free to explore the tutorials of the Adobe suite to enhance your skills. Whether you are using a Mac or a PC, Photoshop CC and Lightroom are essential tools for professional photographers and videographers.

Preprocessing photos with Adobe Lightroom

Before importing your photos into Photoshop, it is often useful to preprocess them in Adobe Lightroom. This photo editing software allows for batch corrections, ensuring visual consistency throughout the entire sequence.

To start, import your photos into Lightroom and apply necessary settings such as exposure, contrast, and white balance. You can also use presets for quick and consistent processing. Once the adjustments are complete, export the photos while maintaining high resolution to ensure the best quality possible when importing into Photoshop.

Adobe Lightroom

Advanced retouching techniques in Photoshop

After importing your image sequence into Photoshop, you can use advanced retouching techniques to enhance the appearance of your timelapse. For example, local adjustment tools allow you to precisely adjust certain areas of your images, such as lightening specific shadows or enhancing colors.

Filters and effects can also be used to add an artistic dimension to your timelapse. Experiment with blur filters to create a smoother motion impression, or use adjustment layers to apply uniform color effects. Don't forget to use layer masks to precisely control where these effects are applied.

Integrating the timelapse into Adobe Premiere Pro

Once your timelapse is complete in Photoshop, you can export and import it into Adobe Premiere Pro for more advanced editing. Premiere Pro offers powerful tools to add music, transitions, and other visual effects that can enhance your video.

To export your timelapse, go to File > Export > Render Video and choose the appropriate settings for your project. Then import the video file into Premiere Pro. You can add a soundtrack, insert titles and transitions, and further adjust color grading if needed.

This integration allows you to combine the best of both software in the Adobe suite to create professional and engaging timelapses.

By following these steps, you can easily assemble a timelapse in Photoshop. This editing software offers endless possibilities to perfect your videos. Feel free to explore the tutorials of the Adobe suite to enhance your skills. Whether you are using a Mac or a PC, Photoshop CC and Lightroom are essential tools for professional photographers and videographers. Happy creating!