Patent ID: 8515270

Claim:
A method for generating a sequence of time-lapse photographs, the method comprising the steps of: a. entering a time-of-day value into a software program installed on an electronic device; b. entering latitude and longitude coordinates into the software program; c. entering a camera sensitivity minimum value, a camera sensitivity maximum value and a camera sensitivity shift time; d. entering a minimum shutter speed value and a maximum shutter speed value; e. installing on a camera lens at least one neutral density filter having a stop value; f. entering a desired image luminance value into the electronic device; g. entering a camera aperture value, a camera sensitivity value and a camera shutter speed value to establish an initial image luminance near the desired image luminance value; h. executing the software program to control a camera to capture a plurality of images having a time-lapse interval between said images; i. gradually increasing the camera shutter speed value to maintain said desired image luminance; j. incrementally increasing the camera sensitivity value when the camera shutter speed value increases beyond the camera sensitivity shift time; k. causing a corresponding reciprocal change in the camera shutter speed value whenever the camera sensitivity value changes incrementally; l. removing the at least one neutral density filter each time the camera shutter speed value increases sufficiently to allow the software program to reduce the camera shutter speed value reciprocally and maintain a value greater than a minimum bulb time of the camera; m. automatically and gradually increasing the camera shutter speed value by the software program to maintain the desired image luminance when the camera sensitivity value has not attained a maximum value; n. incrementally increasing the camera sensitivity value whenever the camera shutter speed value increases beyond the camera sensitivity shift time and making a corresponding reciprocal change by the software program in the camera shutter speed value whenever the camera sensitivity value is incrementally changed; o. repeating steps from (m) through (n) a plurality of times; and p. automatically and gradually increasing the camera shutter speed value by the software program up to a maximum value specified by the camera operator.