Capturing Stunning Sunrise Time-lapses with the DJI Action 5 Pro and Nd 64 filter

gear4greatness
Apr 8
3 min read

Updated: May 24

Last updated: April 30, 2025

🌅 Capturing Stunning Sunrise Time-Lapses with the DJI Action 5 Pro and ND64 Filter

By: Peter Franklin | GearForGreatness.com

Sunrise time-lapses are one of the most visually rewarding projects a creator can shoot — but also one of the trickiest. Lighting changes fast, shadows shift by the second, and your camera settings need to be dialed in just right.

After countless early mornings with the DJI Action 5 Pro, here’s my complete breakdown for capturing cinematic-quality sunrise time-lapses — using an ND64 filter, 1/240 shutter speed, and 4K precision.

🎯 Why Use an ND64 Filter?

An ND64 filter reduces light by 6 stops, giving you full control over exposure — even as the morning sky gets brighter.

Benefits:

Smooths motion blur in clouds and light shifts
Prevents blown highlights as the sun rises
Delivers rich sunrise tones without post overcorrection

🌞 Think of it as sunglasses for your lens — absolutely essential for timelapse work in changing light.

🔧 DJI Action 5 Pro – Recommended Settings for Sunrise

Setting	Recommended Value
Resolution & Frame Rate	4K @ 30fps
Shutter Speed	1/240 sec
ISO	100 (locked)
White Balance	Manual ~5500K
ND Filter	ND64 Snap-On
Interval Shooting	2-second interval

🎥 These settings help you capture balanced exposure, controlled motion, and natural color as the light evolves.

🧱 Setup & Shooting Technique

✅ Scout and Set Up Early

Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise
Find a clear horizon and foreground interest (water, trees, structures)

✅ Use a Stable Tripod or Mount

Avoid wind shake or ground vibrations
Backpack clip mounts are risky — go tripod if possible

✅ Lock Manual Settings

Prevent flickering from exposure shifts
Set ISO, shutter, and white balance manually

✅ Power & Storage

Use a fully charged battery or power bank
Sunrise time-lapses generate a lot of frames — clear your SD card

⏱ Why 1/240 Shutter Speed?

A 1/240 shutter hits the sweet spot between:

Freezing light movement (clouds, reflections, early traffic)
Adding just enough motion blur to keep things cinematic
Avoiding excessive brightness as the sun peaks

🧠 Pair it with ND64 and your exposure will hold steady from twilight to morning light.

🎨 Creative Composition Tips

Rule of Thirds: Frame your horizon low for dramatic sky reveals
Foreground Interest: Add trees, silhouettes, or reflections for depth
Leading Lines: Use roads, rivers, or railings to guide the viewer’s eye toward the sunrise

💻 Post-Processing Workflow

✅ Import & Organize

Use Premiere Pro, After Effects, or DaVinci Resolve
Keep files chronological for smoother timeline syncing

✅ Color Grade

Warm up shadows
Boost sunrise pinks, oranges, and golds
Add contrast for dynamic transitions

✅ Deflicker

If needed, use LRTimelapse, GBDeflicker, or DaVinci’s built-in tools
Flicker usually comes from auto exposure — avoid it with manual settings

✅ Audio

Add ambient sounds (birds, breeze) or cinematic music
Keep it subtle — let the visuals lead

🛠 Troubleshooting Tips

Flickering: Always shoot manual; fix in post if needed
Overexposure: Use ND64 or go stronger (ND1000) if needed
Battery Cutoff: Use a USB-C power bank for longer sessions

Capturing Stunning Sunrise Time-lapses with the DJI Action 5 Pro and Nd 64 filter

✅ Final Thoughts

Sunrise time-lapses with the DJI Action 5 Pro + ND64 filter are a powerful storytelling tool — and a rewarding creative ritual.

By locking in your exposure, slowing down your shutter, and composing with intention, you’ll come away with cinematic visuals that speak for themselves.

🌅 Whether you’re filming in the city, at the lake, or on a rooftop — this setup delivers.