Award-winning time-lapse photography
The most complex time-lapse photography project that I have been involved in to date, was for an agency that was tasked to create a promotional video / advert for MLB. With their videography teams, and the time-lapse segments I supplied, they created a video that won a Sports Emmy … and as part of the team, I received an Emmy as well!
As you can imagine, this is a pretty big deal for me …. an Emmy! This Emmy was awarded to me as part of the team that won a Sports Emmy for a promotional video / advert for MLB. I supplied the time-lapse photography.
Over the course of one afternoon they had five artists painting murals of the six most likely drafts for MLB this particular season.
To capture all this activity, I had 7 cameras there, of which 2 were on motion-controlled dollies for cinematic movement.
Here is my compilation video clip of the time-lapse sequences I shot on this day. Of the 6 sequences, I added movement in post-production to 3 of them. The sequences where you can see the perspective change, were done with the motion dollies.
Here is a behind-the-scenes video to show the motion dollies.
Each of these motion-controlled rigs had a timer that was set up using an app on my iPhone. This set the start point and end point, and how long the movement would be, and how many images would be shot. They move the cameras gradually during the 4-hr long sequence as the particular artist painted a mural. The movement lens a distinct cinematic effect to the time-lapse footage with the change in perspective over time.
These time-lapse sequences were incorporated into the final video, “Fall Colors“, which is shown below.
This video ended up winning a 2018 Sports Emmy Award in the “Outstanding Studio Or Production Design / Art Direction.” As the photographer tasked with capturing the time-lapse footage, I was included in the team of Production Designers who won this prestigious award.
For me the challenge was mostly one of logistics – making sure everything was set up and in place, ready to go before everyone started. All 7 cameras (and 2 motion dollies) were synced and running properly at the same time! All this had to be done while wearing a respirator mask protecting against the paint fumes.
Of the seven cameras used, four cameras were static on tripods, and two were on the aforementioned motion-controlled rigs, while another camera was used for a hyper-lapse of the entire event.
Just when you think you have far too much camera gear, you end up having to rent another camera and several lenses and tripods!
More details about the specific gear that I used: Time-lapse photography project with multiple cameras
Related articles
- Time-lapse photography project with multiple cameras
- More articles on Time-lapse Photography
- For more info about Time-Lapse Photography in New York (and New Jersey)
Congrats, Neil! I remember when you first published the project and described how you went about it. It always feels good to be recognized for hard work and in your case, as well as everyone on the team, it is well deserved.
Keep up the great work.
Congrats, Neil!
Well done – well deserved recognition of your talent.
Wow! Congrats, Neil!
Keep the momentum going!
Awesome & well deserved!
I wish I could give you an award for all you have done helping other photographers too!
Regards,
Jeff
Congratulations!
Amazing work and talent.
All the best,
Marco
Great accomplishment, Neil! Your work was a major part of the overall video – well done!
Congratulations! What fun to be involved with a team project at that level and then to be recognized with an Emmy. Awesome stuff.
Congrats! Well deserved!
Congratulations, Neil! What a great accomplishment and a great honor! And what creativity and logistical genius-amazing!
Congrats !
Belated congratulations! That is really something special!!
Absolutely brilliant.
Have a cold one to celebrate the deserved award – nah – make it two.