The Role of Time-Lapse Photography in Construction
These days, time-lapse photography is being used on an increasing number of construction sites to fully capture and document the process of erecting structures. This is especially true of the large and important commercial projects, for example when buildings of monument are created in the country’s capital, that will take place across a long period of time. The footage faithfully covers the entire process, from start to finish, leaving both the owners and the public with a fantastic and accurate visual account of every step of the process. Beyond the footage though, it’s also a useful tool for those managing the site, not only after the project has been completed to analyse, but also during it to document each stage of the process. With access to the multitude of images taken each day, on any given day, available, it allows for a far greater insight that would otherwise have been possible. The possibilities that are inherent with this process are limitless, which is why it’s not surprising it’s becoming such a popular technique and addition to any construction site. Even if you’re not familiar with the concept of time-lapse photography, you’ve probably come into contact with it more often than you realise. The footage that is often shown on nature programs, films and other television shows that have captured a period of time that has then been sped up when viewed back is a popular form of photography and one that is often deployed in a number of different arenas and forums. The process is one that involves thousands (depending entirely on how long that which is being filmed takes) of images being taken of the event that is to be
captured at a low frame rate. These images are then condensed into a solid form of footage. When played back at a faster frame rate than that at which they were originally captured, it creates the effect of time being sped up. It’s an incredibly useful technique to properly capture and highlight any events that take place over a period of time that is too slow for the human eye to properly witness. Something like tracking the sun throughout the day, for example, can be documented over hours then transformed into minutes of footage that properly highlights the course. Subtle changes and differences that might otherwise have been lost on us are brought out and emphasised, giving us a greater appreciation. As well as capturing the subtle nuances of events and allowing them a greater definition in our eyes, such as when we see a plant or flower growing and blooming, it’s also very useful for recording events that take place over months or years, whilst still capturing the same details. It’s for this reason that it’s becoming an increasingly popular addition to a construction project, especially for those commercial properties that have a major impact on the landscape of the city or area they’re built in and receive a lot of public interest an attention. For these large-scale jobs, they’re a means of creating an entire visual document of the process, from the beginning to end. Without this form of photography, the ability to do the same would be extremely limited. To begin with, this visual document in itself is a priceless record of something that can take place over years, involve thousands and be a painstaking and arduous process. Years of work can be condensed into minutes of video. It allows those involved the clarity after the fact that is usually very difficult, if not impossible, to gain when in the midst of the work. As a memento to keep, it’s invaluable. It’s also a
fantastic way for those involved to demonstrate what the work actually involved. This can be useful both on a personal level and a professional one: as a marketing and PR tool, it can also be very effective. For those that live in the city in which the project is taking place, it gives another insight into the work. As a demonstration of the sheer scale of the work done as well—the time it took, the minutiae of what was involved, the number of people who took part in it to make it happen—it makes for powerful viewing. It can also be published so it can be seen by people across the world, gaining publicity for the work and showing off the work that has been created to interested parties everywhere. It also provides a way to take a step back and fully appreciate the entire ‘transformation’ of the work, in a way that just can’t be achieved to the same degree merely with ‘before and after’ shots and static images taken during the process. Having that bird’s eye perspective of the work can illuminate the details of the transformation that can otherwise be lost. To move away from the more personal and sentimental, from a more practical standpoint it also has its uses. As a full documentary of the entire process, it provides a fantastic and rare opportunity for those in charge of the project to fully analyse the job, from start to finish. It allows an insight in the work done, the timescale and the techniques used in relation to the final finished project. This in turn could be of use for future projects. Beyond this, the process also allows for site monitoring, giving an insight into every step of the job. A full archive of images is created, with access available from any given device that is then available from across the world. Exact days and times can then be specified and viewed, giving incredible insight into the work whilst in the midst of it. These images can then also be sent on to colleagues and clients to demonstrate the progress. And with HD definition possible, the clarity gained is even greater, to really centre in on specific details. With this kind of insight, it allows for real analysis to be done whilst working on the project, to create in its turn an even fuller perspective of the project. With all the benefits that can be gained as a result of time-lapse photography, it comes as no surprise that it is becoming increasingly more commonly used on construction sites. As a means to create an exclusive and in depth documentary and analysis of a project that can be undertaken on a huge scale, over years at a time, it is unsurpassable. The insight and perspective that is produced as a result, both as a final outcome, and whilst the work is underway with the help of site monitoring, is unparalleled. It’s a highly useful and effective tool for any construction site. Time-Lapse Systems are true experts on creating amazing time lapse videos for construction projects, whether they are small-scale or large-scale projects. Find out more about us and our work here: www.time-lapse-systems.co.uk