A camera slider combined with time lapse motion makes for very effective video. Rapid movement of the subject plus the smooth motion of the camera is visually compelling. However it is a difficult effect to accomplish. Extreme time lapse compression means the camera must move very slowly. Time lapse on a slider usually involves a motor to move the camera at a predetermined rate. This works very well but can be costly. DIY projects for a motorized slider are also available.
The DIY slider for HandlePod used for time lapse of ocean waves.
The DIY slider for HandlePod described in a previous blog can be used for time lapse video with certain limitations. The camera, or in this case a smartphone, is moved by hand. The time lapse compression must be minimal. Otherwise it would be physically impossible to move the camera slowly enough to create a reasonable slide over the time required. Using the Framelapse Pro app for Android, an appropriate interval is one frame every two-tenths of a second. This speeds up the action six times. The camera must be moved carefully, but it is possible to do at that rate. The video below is a time lapse of ocean waves flowing into tide pools. It was shot with a smartphone and HandlePod on the DIY slider.
Longer frame rate intervals like a second or more are needed for very slow events like moving clouds or the setting sun. A motorized slider would be needed for camera motion effects with these subjects. But a faster frame rate of one or two tenths of a second is possible for camera movement by hand. It works for fast moving subjects like people, cars or ocean waves. If you want to experiment with time lapse on a slider, the DIY slider for HandlePod is a simple, inexpensive way to try it out. It may be all you need for many shots and you can always go to a more complex (read expensive) motorized rig later.