Candle Time-lapse

Original time-lapse setup

 To add to the 'time' element of my music video I wanted to use my GoPro Hero 3 to create a time-lapse feature. I decided to use the time-lapse to create effect but also to match the lyrics of the song.

 In the song, the lyric "How come I'm never able to identify where it's coming from, I'd make a candle out of it if I ever found it." This line is the inspiration behind my time-lapse of a candle burning down. I initially set up the shot using black card as a background, white card as a light filter and the candle in the centre of the shot. You can see the original shot set up on the right.



When I began taking the time-lapse images I soon discovered the lighting and backdrop didn't work. The black card reflected light too much when curved and the lighting was too bring for the shot and meant that the candle's flickering flame didn't create the warm glow I was aiming for. I then decided to alter the set up of the shot to make it better. I changed the lighting but setting the candle and filming area up under my desk, where it was much darker. I then used the same light but without the white filter which worker well because it meant there was a nice shadow cast behind the candle itself. I also changed the background by using a plain grey painted wall rather than separate sheets of black card. Not using black card sheets meant there were no visible joins in the background and made the shot a much higher quality. On the left there is a picture of the final time-lapse set up as well as an image of how the framing of the shot looked after capturing the 2 hour time-lapse piece (below).