Compress a Time-Lapse Sequence of Images into One Picture with MergePictures Software

Purpose: Create one image out of a time-lapse series of images

During our experimentation with using digital cameras as tools to study color and color change in our environment, we found that it is quite difficult to combine a time series of digital pictures into one image using existing imaging software.  So we created this software that allows you to do this quickly and easily. 

NOTE: The images that follow are not interactive. Please download the software (OSX OS9 PC) and follow along with the mini tutorial. 

Getting Started

First, enter the number of images you will be combining in the white box at the top of the page. 

• You cannot change this value once the reading of images begins, so be accurate.

Next, click 'Select Pictures' to begin selecting JPEG, GIF, TIFF, Pict, or PDF images. 

• The program assumes that each picture is of identical size (same number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal) and will not work otherwise.

To save the merged image, go to the 'File' menu and select 'Save Image'. 

• Create a file name different from any used to create the image.  The saved file will overwrite a file with the same name. Check the quality of the image being saved.

Example: Merged pictures from 10 frames of a time-lapse movie (1 mb mov file) of sunrise at the Cape Cod National Seashore. The camera was at a latitude of 42 degrees north.

Readjusting the brightness of the pictures, notice that the sun rises (and sets) at an angle equivalent to the latitude off the vertical. Taking this to the extreme, at the poles, 90 degrees latitude, when the sun is above horizon, it moves across the sky parallel to the horizon (90 degrees from the vertical is horizontal). At the equator, 0 degrees latitude, the sun rises and sets perpendicular to the horizon (0 degrees from the vertical is vertical). Try this photographic experiment at your latitude.