Timelapse Photography In Construction: Uses, Benefits, And How-To Guide For Businesses

Advancements in technology have improved construction in many ways. Aside from using new materials and equipment for building structures, there are also new tools for recording a project. One of the best methods to do this is through timelapse photography.

What Is Timelapse Photography?

Timelapse photography is the art of taking pictures in perfectly accurate intervals. Then, these photographs are put together to make a timelapse video. This technique is used across different industries, especially in TV and film. However, it’s also become popular among other fields, particularly in construction.

Although some might think that timelapse photography is a product of modern technology, it’s actually not. The first ever timelapse photography recorded in history was in 1877 by Muybridge. He used 24 cameras to capture the well-known illustration ‘The Horse In Motion.’ This method of capturing motion has improved over time, as well as through the use of higher quality cameras.

Its Uses In Construction

The construction industry heavily focuses on recording and showcasing progress. Construction firms can utilize timelapse photography to their advantage in several ways, such as the following:

• Showcasing Before And After Photos

Before and after photos are popular in building and renovation. It’s one way to keep records of how much has improved since you started working on a project. However, taking photos only before and after the construction may not be reliable enough for some of your target clients. Some want to see the action in between to see your process.

Timelapse photography uses a high-quality camera. Therefore, before, after, and in between, the construction photos are of the highest resolution possible. You can click here for more information on capturing simultaneous images with the help of state-of-the-art timelapse photography equipment.

• Capturing Project Progress

Every construction project starts with a target timeline. Experts can plan and predict how long the building will take to finish. While giving updates to the clients is enough, showing them each progress is more reliable.

Timelapse photography helps in capturing the day-to-day improvement of a construction project. Through this, one can determine which day the columns were finished, when the slab was poured, and when the framings started to look like a sturdy structure.

• Project Monitoring

Strict project monitoring is a standard practice among construction companies. Continuously capturing photos helps professionals like engineers and architects check progress even when they’re not always on site. It boosts efficiency and helps in reassuring your clients and stakeholders.

Moreover, timelapse photography provides an efficient method for project documentation. The managing professionals will know if the team can finish each task according to the specified timeline. If not, they can analyze the issues and fix them to get them back on track.

• Skills Demonstration

Timelapse photography is one of the best tools to demonstrate your skills to your future clients. The collection of photos serves as reliable information to confirm your company’s expertise in the field. It can show both quality and speed.

Demonstrating the skills of your construction team is best done with visual proof. Your clients will know how fast you can work without compromising the results. It helps build your company’s reputation within the industry.

• Showing Grand Scale Projects

Grand scale projects are challenging to capture and monitor manually or with the help of a typical camera. You’ll need a camera with cutting-edge technological features to provide the construction details.

Timelapse photography is best used in large construction projects, like high-rise buildings and bridges. From a perfect angle, you can capture day-to-day progress. Plus, you can zoom in to see the small details without blurring since cameras used in timelapse photography are usually in 8K resolution.

Benefits For Your Business

In this industry, visual information is the most substantial evidence of your expertise. Taking advantage of timelapse photography for your construction business could help you create the most powerful tools. Here’s how your construction business can benefit from it:

• Excellent Storytelling

There’s nothing more powerful than storytelling. If one picture can convey a thousand words, what more a series of high-quality photos?  Telling a story through photographs helps your construction business build a client-friendly reputation, which may help you get more projects in the future.

Storytelling helps in putting your company name out in public. People love stories, and it’s been proven over time. You can capture the public’s interest when your business knows how to tell and visualize a narrative.

• Effective Marketing Tool

Timelapse photos are an effective marketing tool. You may use them for online advertisements and other platforms to boost your public reach. As a business, grabbing every opportunity to put your name out for the masses to see is a must.

Marketing is primarily visual. People love seeing photos and videos of products and services to scrutinize them. As for timelapse construction videos, some audiences love watching them for entertainment. Although these audiences may not need your services at the moment, there’s a great chance they’ll remember which business to contact when they plan to build or renovate.

• Increase Online Engagement

Nowadays, engagement in social media is a powerful tool, even for construction companies. Starting to make your mark online is free advertisement. You can utilize your timelapse photos to create short-form content for people to watch.

Increasing online engagement can convert talks to sales. As more and more people know about your company name, there’s a higher chance of reaching your potential clients. What’s more remarkable is that you don’t have to spend a dime to post your content online.

• Gain Clients’ Trust

Catching potential clients’ interest is an easy step. However, gaining their trust can be more challenging. You have to give them reliable data to show why they should entrust their construction project to your hands.

A series of timelapse photos from your current or past projects can help gain clients’ trust. Showing them real-life progress strongly indicates your expertise and dedication in the industry.

• Stand Out From The Competition

Using timelapse photography for your construction projects gives you an edge over competitors. Embracing modern technology and new ways to manage your projects helps you stand out against those who stick to traditional methods.

Showcasing real-time photos as proof of your project’s progress is more reliable than one photo or a typical panoramic video. It shows how much you value attention to detail, which is required when establishing a reputation in the construction industry.

Business Guide To Timelapse Photography

Creating a powerful business tool can be difficult. You need to learn new techniques and invest money to ensure its efficiency.

Here’s a quick guide if you want to dive into timelapse photography for construction.

• Get The Right Equipment

Timelapse photography requires specific equipment. A typical high-definition camera won’t be enough to capture intricate details, especially for large-scale projects. Therefore, getting a high-quality camera is a must.

A timelapse equipment’s function doesn’t end with taking photos. It can capture and upload pictures simultaneously, making it the most efficient tool for progress tracking and overall project management. It’s best to attach the timelapse modem to a premium-quality DSLR camera to maximize it.

Moreover, advanced timelapse equipment is built to withstand harsh conditions. You don’t have to worry about it even when working amidst heavy rains. The modem and the camera will continue to capture your progress despite the bad weather.

• Consider Power Efficiency

Your timelapse equipment shutting down in the middle of your construction project is the last thing you want to happen. It’s best to consider devices that are power-efficient to ensure they’ll stay on when you need them.

Some timelapse modems offer solar options. This choice is best when working under the summer sun. Suppose you’re working in gloomy weather or a location with little sunlight. In that case, you may choose one with a large-capacity battery to ensure it continues to capture photos for as long as possible.

• Get The Right Angle

Your timelapse photography equipment will have to stay in place for months or until the project is finished. Therefore, getting the perfect angle is crucial. It needs to capture the whole structure from start to finish.

Timelapse photography is best taken from a higher angle, especially for big projects. However, it’s best to hire a professional photographer to set it up for you. An expert will also help fix the camera settings to suit your needs.

• Capture Every Detail

When everything is set, your timelapse equipment will work for you. You can change its interval setting through a remote area and receive real-time updates through a cellular network. The device also simultaneously sends these photos to another device for monitoring.

As the timelapse equipment captures photos, you may gather them and compile them in your project catalog. Your project catalog is one of your powerful business tools as it showcases details of your achievements in your past and current projects. It’s also the first thing your client might look at to scrutinize the quality of work your company can offer.

Conclusion

Timelapse photography is one of the most powerful and efficient tools used in the construction industry. It provides an easy way to monitor projects even from afar to help you immediately make better solutions. Its benefits make it a wise investment for your business.