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Award-winning time-lapse photography

September 4, 2019 Neil vN 12 Comments


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)

 

 

Filed Under: acclaim, news, time-lapse photography Tagged With: time-lapse photography, timelapse photography


 

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I also offer photography workshops and tutoring sessions, whether in person, or via online video tutoring sessions.

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Thank you,

Neil vN

Books by Neil van Niekerk


 




12 Comments, Add Your Own

  1. 1Kevin says

    September 4, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. 2SB says

    September 5, 2019 at 1:34 am

    Congrats, Neil!
    Well done – well deserved recognition of your talent.

    Reply
  3. 3Kostadin Pavlov says

    September 5, 2019 at 5:10 am

    Wow! Congrats, Neil!
    Keep the momentum going!

    Reply
  4. 4Jeff says

    September 5, 2019 at 7:48 am

    Awesome & well deserved!

    I wish I could give you an award for all you have done helping other photographers too!

    Regards,
    Jeff

    Reply
  5. 5Marco says

    September 5, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    Congratulations!
    Amazing work and talent.

    All the best,
    Marco

    Reply
  6. 6Blake says

    September 6, 2019 at 1:24 am

    Great accomplishment, Neil! Your work was a major part of the overall video – well done!

    Reply
  7. 7Nick C. says

    September 10, 2019 at 6:56 am

    Congratulations! What fun to be involved with a team project at that level and then to be recognized with an Emmy. Awesome stuff.

    Reply
  8. 8Johan Schmidt says

    September 11, 2019 at 9:46 am

    Congrats! Well deserved!

    Reply
  9. 9Michael Gerson says

    September 20, 2019 at 6:03 pm

    Congratulations, Neil! What a great accomplishment and a great honor! And what creativity and logistical genius-amazing!

    Reply
  10. 10Costel says

    October 21, 2019 at 3:14 am

    Congrats !

    Reply
  11. 11Dillan K says

    May 5, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Belated congratulations! That is really something special!!

    Reply
  12. 12h marais says

    May 13, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    Absolutely brilliant.
    Have a cold one to celebrate the deserved award – nah – make it two.

    Reply

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