This website was created to show the different types of weather phenomenon that you can record using time lapse photography.
The following videos are some of the different types of weather phenomenon that I have personally captured using Microsoft web cams. I have included a video that will show you what each item looks like. |
This time lapse shows an example of training thunderstorms and microbursts.
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My Webcam Setup For Recording Weather Phenomenon
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Computers
I use two Windows XP desktop computers. The computers are older model computers. They work well but are very slow when sorting through images and making movies. Any decent computer will work for doing weather time lapse.
Webcams
I prefer the Microsoft Studio webcams because they have high quality optics and have a variable focus. But the high end Logitech webcams should work as well. They are mounted to car GPS holders so I can stick them to the inside of the windows that I am viewing out of. I use a circle of foam as a light shield. Cut out a small hole in the center for the webcam to stick through. This will help prevent light from the room from reflecting off the window then back into the webcam.
Software
Here are the two programs that I use for my videos. Yawcam and Webcam Time lapse. They are both free and easy to use.
Yawcam - http://www.yawcam.com/
Webcam Time Lapse - http://www.tnlsoftsolutions.com/timelapsehome.php
Also, I use Picasa - http://picasa.google.com/ - with this program you can click on one of your images in your image folder and scroll through your images. It scrolls fast enough that it simulates a time lapse movie as you go through your images. This saves me time because I am able to locate a series of images that would make a great time lapse movie then use Picasa or one of the other two programs to make the movie.
For fair weather I will set the software frame rate to take 15 frames per second. If there are storms forecasted then I will put it to 10 fpm. When a thunderstorm is approaching the camera then I will put the frame rate to 5 fpm. By doing this you will be able to see more subtle detail of the storm.
Computers
I use two Windows XP desktop computers. The computers are older model computers. They work well but are very slow when sorting through images and making movies. Any decent computer will work for doing weather time lapse.
Webcams
I prefer the Microsoft Studio webcams because they have high quality optics and have a variable focus. But the high end Logitech webcams should work as well. They are mounted to car GPS holders so I can stick them to the inside of the windows that I am viewing out of. I use a circle of foam as a light shield. Cut out a small hole in the center for the webcam to stick through. This will help prevent light from the room from reflecting off the window then back into the webcam.
Software
Here are the two programs that I use for my videos. Yawcam and Webcam Time lapse. They are both free and easy to use.
Yawcam - http://www.yawcam.com/
Webcam Time Lapse - http://www.tnlsoftsolutions.com/timelapsehome.php
Also, I use Picasa - http://picasa.google.com/ - with this program you can click on one of your images in your image folder and scroll through your images. It scrolls fast enough that it simulates a time lapse movie as you go through your images. This saves me time because I am able to locate a series of images that would make a great time lapse movie then use Picasa or one of the other two programs to make the movie.
For fair weather I will set the software frame rate to take 15 frames per second. If there are storms forecasted then I will put it to 10 fpm. When a thunderstorm is approaching the camera then I will put the frame rate to 5 fpm. By doing this you will be able to see more subtle detail of the storm.
Weather time lapse... God's way of showing off His creation one frame at a time.
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The Official Netcast For People Who Love Weather
Sometimes when you look at the clouds... they look back!
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