Time-lapse filming is something that most people, especially marketers, are familiar with now. From the changing of the seasons to manufacturing processes, the versatility and engagement of this type of film is top notch. So it’s no surprise that time-lapse is widely used to promote building developments and projects. Visually, it’s spectacular to watch structures spring out of the ground, but could time-lapse offer even more benefits to the construction industry, benefits that can be easily overlooked?
At Horizon Imaging we’ve spent many years working with construction companies on time-lapse projects. As technology has advanced, we continue to look for ways to give our clients further benefits from our services. So, here we’ll share our insights on the top 3 overlooked benefits of using time-lapse filming on construction projects. We want to help you get even more return on your investment in time-lapse filming!
Understanding time-lapse filming
If you’re new to time-lapse filming, or even if you’ve implemented it before, it is helpful to understand the fundamentals of the set up. Time-lapse filming is the technique of recording a series of images over a set period and playing them back at a faster frame rate than they were captured. The result? A video where time appears to speed up, compressing hours, days, or even years into just seconds or minutes.
The results that you can expect from a time-lapse film vary depending on a number of factors. Firstly, there’s the expertise that goes into installing the camera. From the angle and position of the camera to choosing the ideal frame interval, professional set up will generate a more polished film at the end of the project. Then there’s the kit itself. Here at Horizon Imaging, we have invested in state-of-the-art, solar-powered, cloud-connected 220° field-of-view time-lapse camera systems. This means that our time-lapse footage cameras can capture entire construction site with ease.
These images show our time lapse cameras set up in different construction site settings. Click to enlarge.
Advances in connectivity
Of course, it’s not just the quality of camera technology that has improved over the years, connectivity has too. Cloud-connected technology has brought huge additional benefits to time-lapse filming. When time-lapse cameras, such as ours, are connected to the cloud, either via 4G or WiFi, footage is accessible via an online portal from anywhere in the world, for use during and after the project has completed. This opens up huge possibilities that extend beyond the traditional ‘final edit’ of a time-lapse film.
Part of the online portal interface for our time-lapse cameras. Click to enlarge.
The overlooked benefits of time-lapse filming
With the improved camera technology and connectivity that we’ve explored above, the uses of time-lapse filming for our clients, especially in the construction industry, have broadened. Real-time access to time-lapse imagery means the data can be utilised in a number of exciting ways:
1. Monitoring progress
Your time-lapse footage isn’t just for marketing use! Yes, it makes a really engaging film, but on a daily basis, access to footage online means that progress can be monitored by multiple parties. For example:
- External stakeholders – This might be an end-user client or local council. By empowering project partners to access real time progress imagery, you can build trust and improve communication within a construction project.
- Internal project staff – Personnel who might not be able to attend the site can monitor progress remotely using the online platform. This frees up project management time by taking travel out of the equation, so resources can be optimised.
- Public access – For those developments that have a public interest, community engagement is really important. The latest image, or an interactive gallery of images from the time-lapse camera can be embedded into a website so members of the public can easily see how projects are progressing.
2. Record keeping
Project managers know the level of meticulous detail that has to go into record keeping on a site. With contractors and subcontractors all working simultaneously, keeping track of every strand of activity is complex and time consuming. Then there’s always the possibility of a dispute later down the line.
This is all simplified by integrating time-lapse footage into an image analysis platform. With image indexing, data capture, and activity logs, it’s never been easier to record exactly what has happened and when. So if, for example, a subcontractor were to claim they’d done work when they hadn’t, you can easily access time-lapse footage to provide irrefutable evidence.
3. AI integration
Although in some ways, the advance of AI algorithms can feel a little scary, it can also be incredibly useful. The online portal of the time-lapse camera systems we use provides an optional AI Dashboard, where cutting-edge algorithms analyse every image that’s been taken by a time-lapse camera, and can start to detect trends in activity on construction sites, allowing site managers to make more informed decisions. Such trends include:
- PPE compliance – Detecting whether personnel are wearing hard hats, high-vis jackets and trousers.
- Traffic flow – With the ability to recognise numerous types of vehicle and equipment, the most active areas (“heatmaps”) of site can be identified, allowing additional safety measures to be put in place if required, such as safety barriers or signage.
- Activity vs. time of day – the amount of activity (personnel / vehicle movement) on site at different times of day can be easily monitored, allowing working hours to be better enforced, if staff are seen to be working less / more than their contracted hours.
Tools such as heatmaps, person recognition, and easy to read data reporting allow project managers to spend less time checking footage and more time on project management and improving site safety.
An example of one of the AI Dashboard screens showing the detection of PPE compliance and equipment detection. Click to enlarge.
In Summary
The process of time-lapse filming is so much more than just pretty pictures of a construction site. Of course, the final edit will be fascinating to watch and incredibly usable as engaging marketing content. However, the practical, ongoing benefits of the footage and the data that can be extracted from it add so much value.
You can read more about our time-lapse filming service here, from the state-of-the-art equipment we use to our exceptional service. Explore our testimonials below or on our dedicated testimonial page to see how projects and developments have benefited from their decision to work with us at Horizon Imaging.
What Do Our Time-Lapse Clients Say?
“It was great to work with David on this project. It’s our first time working together, he attended site at short notice on what turned out to be a complicated install, nothing was too much trouble and any issues were resolved without delay. David kept in contact and gave updates throughout the 8 week duration on site which was very useful. We had the option to log into the camera at any point to see a live image of our works on site. We are extremely pleased with the final edit of the time lapse and will definitely work with David again in the future if the opportunity arises.”
“David is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is reliable, creative and responsive. Nothing is too much trouble and he has great attention to detail. Would highly recommend.”
“Working with David during the delivery of our Union Yard regeneration scheme was a real pleasure. From having the opportunity to utilise his high-quality timelapse camera equipment to being able to rely on his thoughtful approach to delivery and diligent responsiveness to any queries raised, his input was invaluable. We would not hesitate to use Horizon Imaging again for other similar projects and would definitely recommend them to anyone interested.”
So, ask yourself:
- Are you looking to document a construction project with compact, solar-powered, cloud-connected time-lapse cameras?
- Do you want to simplify your record keeping process with time-lapse filming paired with an online platform that uses AI algorithms to analyse aspects of site safety?
- Would you benefit from the advice of an experienced and reliable photographer to achieve your time-lapse goals?
If so, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on the contact details below.