Time-lapse

Photographs can be used to capture changes in sea ice extent and distribution as well as the abundance of wildlife over time. Cameras can be programmed to capture images at specified intervals, for example, every 20 seconds for several days or once every 20 minutes over an entire season. As shown in the film People of a Feather, these stations were important for documenting the phenomenon of freeze-over mortality events which can happen over several days or weeks.

Successful Time Lapse photography requires careful consideration in the arctic climate. The cameras must be mounted in enclosures to protect them from rain and snow. Longer term unmanned time series, such as the year long time-lapse in Ulutsatuq polynya require the use of solar panels to keep the batteries charged. Whether mounted on the ground, under water, or up in the air, time-lapse needs a strong support systems to brace against the wind and currents in order to provide a smooth, high quality time series. This might mean a study tripod or a metal tower with support lines anchored into the bedrock.

Time Lapse allows researchers to experience environmental systems at a timescale that is otherwise never seen and observe changes in the way the ice forms, breaks and moves in complex ways. Once captured, significant post processing of time lapse imagery is often required to remove nighttime sections, reduce flicker and warp time to focus on relevant sections.