Stop Motion Photography/Video Resources

[merekc]

Does anyone have experience with making stop motion videos/photography? My DS8 is very interested in stop motion videos (specifically lego) right now and wants to make his own. I want to support this interest, but really have no knowledge in this area.

I've done some google searches but thought I would see if anyone has any suggestions or resources they would personally recommend. I'd really be interested in any that are appropriate for kids and small budgets.

Otherwise, I will just use Amazon reviews, order a few books and cross my fingers.

Thanks in advance.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Now days with digital cameras, best just to buy a nice digital camera that is capable of video as well. Canon makes a great one for about $800. All you do is just this: Say if you are doing stop motion animation with a clay figure. You would just take a shot of the figure in pose 1, then re-set the figure to pose 2, take another shot, then pose 3, take another shot etc., etc. You do all the shots one after the other on the camera, then you just down load it into your computer. (You'll need a computer video editing system like Adobe Premier, or cheaper, Adobe Premier elements) Then you just take all those shots, put them in order in the editor, in the timeline, and wa la, you'll have a stop motion animation film.

Also, you'll need a camera tripod to keep the camera steady at one location, you don't want to move the camera when taking shots. The camera needs to be "locked down" pointing in one direction. The only thing you move is your subject matter.

 

[hsmamato2]

oh please....800.00 for a kid to play with?
my ds's both have been doing this for years,using either clay or legos- they make great stuff! they each have an inexpensive digital camera with removable memory and decent lens-less than 100.00 for a camera,WAY less if you find a sale-(nikon)
A macro mode is great to have for small shots-
it is essentially setting up each lego guy,take a shot,move it a smidge,take a shot....like a million times- drop the pics into the computer,use media maker and string the shots together and easily add a song track- this should keep your ds busy for quite a while....
they don't use video for this- just a long string of still shots

 

[LegoMom3]

Any digital camera is capable of this. One shot at a time, then put 'em all together! My DS14 has been doing stop-motion for several years and he started with a basic Nikon Coolpix 775 camera.

There is actually a photography forum down just a few spots from the Community Board, right on the main DIS page. You might get some more detailed replies over there (and don't be intimidated there!....there are all kinds of photogs there, from amateur/fun to pro).

.

 

[Shutterbug]

This is my lego building Time Lapse video. I set up my DSLR camera with a timer to take pics every 4 seconds while I built the lego model.

http://youtu.be/Zwi90Ubt0MU

Thought as other posters above have said, yes if you want to do stop motion, a regular point and shoot will work just fine. Just takes time, patience, a tripod and a big memory card for your camera.

 

[merekc]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't for sure if he needed any special software, but it sounds like what he is starting to do is along the right lines.

I'll check into the Media Maker. Media editing software is something I've never worked with and am totally cluelss on. Give me a spreadsheet anyday.

I had not thought of a tri-pod. Thanks for the idea.

I actually thought about the Photography forum after I posted this. May wait to see how he progresses and turn to them with questions.

He's been taking photos with my camera for a while, but then they just stay on my card (taking up space). But recently he has really been asking questions about turning the photos into videos.

Thanks again for the tips.

 

[merekc]

This is my lego building Time Lapse video. I set up my DSLR camera with a timer to take pics every 4 seconds while I built the lego model.

http://youtu.be/Zwi90Ubt0MU

Thought as other posters above have said, yes if you want to do stop motion, a regular point and shoot will work just fine. Just takes time, patience, a tripod and a big memory card for your camera.

Thanks for the link. He will enjoy seeing this.

 

[okkp]

Hey Merekc

here's a cool stop motion mixing two technique .

one is called light painting , did with a canon mark II , iso at 100 on bubble mode.
The other one is the stop motion , but i think you know how that is done .

So here the link

w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=dSH0HeRcHjk

Let me know what you think