More "Skyflow" testing

Three time lapse video segments were captured and created using "Skyflow," an Apple iOS app running on my Apple iPad mini 6. The first video clip was created from 427 frames (~14 s), the second clip from 151 frames (~5 s), and the third clip from 433 frames (~14 s). Each video clip was edited individually using Apple "Photos" and all three video clips were combined using Apple "iMovie."

Each video segment shows mostly high level cirroform clouds moving across the sky over Fairfax County, Virginia USA during the afternoon of 17 February 2026.

17 February 2026.

I feel like the lack of complete documentation for the app is preventing me from getting the best results possible. I've figured out how to use many of the major features, although I'm still not sure how to use the controls for focus and exposure most effectively. A few questions follow. Please comment on this post if you can answer any of my questions.

1. When shooting a "SkyLapse ©" from a fixed position, should I expose for the highlights (e.g., bright, white clouds) and lock exposure? [Drag circle (the custom exposure point) over clouds and tap AE-L?]
2. When shooting a panoramic "SkyLapse ©" should I use continuous auto focus (AF), auto exposure (AE), and auto white balance (AW)?
3. I know trimming video is a destructive edit [personal communication with developer]. Is cropping destructive?
4. What is the recommended workflow for in-app editing of RAW files (negatives/DNGs)?
5. Can "Skyflow" be used with external storage devices such as a USB memory stick or SSD? Backup, of course, but what about about deleting projects (to save disc space on my iOS device) and restoring them later for more editing?

Camera (iOS app) > "Pano" mode

Before working with "Skyflow," the following panoramic composite image was taken using the "Camera" app on my Apple iPad mini 6, set for "Pano" mode. The camera panned ~270° from west-northwest to south-southeast.

17 February 2026. Wider panoramic view. (14913 x 3694 pixels)

Have I mentioned how much I like the look and feel of the panoramic composite images created using the "Camera" app? I do. Easy to use. Excellent output. Good job by you, Apple!

Related Resources

• "Skyflow" app (first field test) - a blog post by Walter Sanford
• Skyflow - Apple iOS app for creating time lapse videos, by Andrei Kovalev
• Best iPhone TIMELAPSE app (3:59) - a YouTube video by Matthew Vandeputte
• Skyflow (Time Lapse App) Walk-Through Tutorial for Beginners (6:49) - a YouTube video by "Cloudage"

Copyright © 2026 by Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.