50 March 2016 Watch the video online at bit.ly/NPhoto56
NIKON SKILLS GEAR ESSENTIALS
W
hen you’re creating
images like the moon
composite on page 56,
you could sit there with
your Nikon and a stopwatch and
take a sequence of images one
at a time. Likewise you could do
it over several hours to get the
shots needed to create a startrail image, or hundreds of times
in succession to get the shots
required for a timelapse video.
Or, of course, you could buy an
intervalometer and let that take
care of triggering the shutter at
precisely the right moment.
An intervalometer is basically
an advanced remote shutterrelease that automatically
triggers the shutter, usually at
timed intervals. We’re using a
Hama Timer Remote Release in
our walkthrough, but most have
similar features. Intervalometers
work like any other cable
release, but feature more
advanced functions, from the
standard drive modes (Single
shot, Continuous shooting, Bulb
and Timer) to more advanced
settings (long exposures and
interval shooting). These can
be used together for things like
star trails and moonstacks.
An external intervalometer is
not essential for taking timed
shots, though. All of Nikon’s
recent D-SLRs feature a built-in
interval timer (see far right) and
an in-camera timelapse mode.
Having said that, a dedicated
intervalometer tends to boast
more features and options, such
as the long-exposure function
used to capture the image
above. Here’s how they work...The mission
O To get to grips with
built-in and external
intervalometers, and
learn how and when
to use them
Time
O One hour
Skill level
O Beginner
O Intermediate
O Advanced
Kit needed
O Nikon D-SLR
O Trip o d
O Intervalometer
(if not featured
on your Nikon)PROJECT FOUR / GEAR ESSENTIALS
Time it right
Take precisely-spaced photographs for creating
timelapses, star trails and more – just followTo m Welsh’s guide to using an intervalometer
Intervalometers work like any other cable
release, but feature more in-depth functions