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Creating Timelapse from Images with FFmpeg

ffmpeg -framerate 24 -pattern_type glob -i "*.jpg" -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p output.mp4

Parameter Explanation

Parameter Description
-framerate 24 Sets the input frame rate (how many images per second)
-pattern_type glob Uses glob pattern matching for finding files
-i "*.jpg" Specifies all JPG files in the current directory as input
-c:v libx264 Sets the video codec to H.264
-pix_fmt yuv420p Sets the pixel format to YUV 4:2:0 (required for compatibility)

Practical Examples

Example 1: Create a timelapse with numbered sequence

ffmpeg -framerate 30 -i img%04d.jpg -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -crf 20 numbered_timelapse.mp4

Works with sequentially numbered files (img0001.jpg, img0002.jpg, etc.) at 30 fps.

Example 2: Create a slow-motion timelapse

ffmpeg -framerate 10 -pattern_type glob -i "*.jpg" -vf "minterpolate='fps=30'" -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p slow_motion.mp4

Uses motion interpolation to create smooth slow-motion effect from 10fps to 30fps output.

Example 3: Create a timelapse with fade transitions

ffmpeg -framerate 15 -pattern_type glob -i "*.jpg" -vf "zoompan=d=2:zoom='min(1.3,1+0.002*n)':x='iw/2-(iw/zoom/2)':y='ih/2-(ih/zoom/2)'" -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -crf 22 ken_burns.mp4

Creates a Ken Burns effect with slow zoom on each frame while creating the timelapse.