Time-lapse photography has generally been reserved for the professionals and the extremely patient, but now, the barrier to entry may have been lowered. It’s all thanks to Enlaps, the world’s first unlimited time-lapse photography solution. Weatherproof and self-contained, this purpose-built time-lapse camera claims to provide “a unique, complete and intuitive solution to create quality time lapses from pictures shooting to Web sharing.” And if it raises about $80,000 more (double what it’s already managed) in the next 29 days, it just may make it to market.
Nominated for the CES Innovation Award for Digital Imaging, Enlaps’ claim to fame is its ability to render high-quality time-lapse scenarios. The actual camera, called the Tikee, “allows the user to capture slow changes and movements that are usually invisible to the naked eye for creative applications by both professionals and the general consumer.” And because the Enlaps Tikee is cloud-connected and features an automated Web platform, it can merge images, thereby “creating fly-on-the-wall, time-lapse videos that can be shared online.”
After noting that the current limitations for great time-lapse photography are battery, storage, and processing, Enlaps asserts that its Tikee has solved all three of these potential problems. Because the device is powered by an integrated adjustable photovoltaïc solar cell, battery life becomes a non-issue. Furthermore, once the Tikee takes a photo, it’s wirelessly transmitted to the cloud, eliminating the need for storage space. And finally, the company’s technology automatically processes the photos, allowing for immediate editing and sharing.
The Tikee, a box that measures 180 mm by 60 mm, features two cameras and two fish-eye lenses, allowing for fully panoramic views. And thanks to its user-friendly Web application, which can be reached and is compatible with any browser, getting from camera to paper is about as easy as it gets. According to its Kickstarter page, setting up your new time-lapse camera is a breeze — simply unpack, choose “the nicest point of view,” turn on the Tikee and pair it with your smartphone, choose your settings, then start shooting. You can view, edit, and share all in real-time, or wait until the very end when you’re ready to put everything together.
If you want to own one of these impressive devices yourself, a pledge of just over $380 will get you the early-bird special, with an estimated delivery date of August 2016. The project already has 227 backers, so odds are looking good for the high-tech camera. Because who doesn’t want to take professional-grade time-lapse photos without being a professional?
