Archaeologists of the future.

That’s what Jill Tarter, astronomer and former chair at the SETI Institute, calls the team that combs the skies for a signal, something unmistakably unique, of intelligent life elsewhere.  Not only would a confirmed signal mean something or someone does indeed exists out there, but anything we can detect will have originated millions or hundreds of millions of years ago. We’re looking into that past. It’s a cosmic sized haystack and the race is on to create a bigger, more sensitive and more intelligent pitchfork.

Day-to-night Milky Way timelapse at SETI Allen Telescope Array

I had a chance to photograph a growing part of that pitchfork at the Allen Telescope Array at SETI’s Hat Creek Radio Observatory in Hat Creek California. With special arrangements through an astronomer who was also staying overnight I was literally able to camp among the dishes while I checked on my camera running a day to night timelapse over 15 hours (full length upload below).

Timelapse Shot Details:

I wanted to position myself back far enough to see a majority of the dishes as they tracked a line about 45 degrees above the horizon. Light was challenging as the shot essentially faced into direct sunset forcing a much larger total exposure shift from day time into night time. A future do-over shot could benefit from having a series of ND filters allowing the sequence to properly exposure direct sun on a cloudless sky about 3 or 4 hours prior to sunset.

The shot started about 6:45pm and concluded at 10am the next morning. My Sony a7s was the workhorse for the evening with the Rokinon 14mm 2.8.  I utilized the Timelapse+ View exposure ramping device and LR Timelapse software to post process the sequence. To keep the system powered for 15+ hours I brought a Goal Zero YETI 400 Lithium power pack and used a dummy battery replacement. Heavy, not portable at all but vital for shots like this.

The orange bag you see around the lens is a partially opened chemical hand warmer pack. A simple rubber band around the lens prevents timelapses from being ruined by condensation or frost as the temperatures change throughout the night and morning.

I’ve got a few more things to process but the night was one of the more memorable ever. Standing among the dishes with the milky way in full view under a dark dark sky was truly incredible.

A post shared by Ryan Chylinski (@ryanlapse) on Oct 17, 2017 at 12:36pm PDT

A post shared by Ryan Chylinski (@ryanlapse) on Oct 16, 2017 at 2:33pm PDT

Special thanks:

Special thanks to astronomer Jon. He was kind enough to show me around and chat science during the tour. He also made sure I wasn’t interfering with their normal operations, both physically and electrically.

Bonus:

Now a casual add on to the post. One of the more memorable parts of my time there was chatting with Jon and a colleague and his son. They have a very accommodating bunk house for onsite astronomers guests so after setting up the shot we went down and had pasta and beers. Naturally philosophical discussions ensued.

SETI Protocol if they find something REAL (or what I remember from the discussions, I had a few beers). It’s not NASA anymore so there isn’t a single person with a title and chain of command etc etc. It’s also a public institute not Air Force so there would be no government cover up. The big concern is to make sure it’s not a hoax.

1. Wow that looks interesting, are we sure it’s not anything natural. Likely not because we have a huge database of things we’ve found over the years and that’s auto filtered but something new is always possible.

2. OK, it;’s not natural but still a lot of validation needs to happen. Maybe it’s stuff from Earth. Maybe it’s a HOAX because this is a huge likelyhood. Let’s go to a different telescope, quietly, with software we didn’t write and tech we didn’t build to validate.

3. OK it’s CHAMPAGNE time! All these people are seeing it! and now we fill in the blanks of an already prepared release to other astronomers all over the planet, which is essentially alerting the earth. Since all those peeps have different instruments maybe there is more data that they can see that we can collect. Get all the data we don’t know how long this is gonna last.

4. At the same time we call our largest donors, not because they asked us to but because they are the reason all this exists. They’re also friends and were super stoked at this point so call all the friends.

5. We can’t field the calls from all media outlets on the planet so we rely on our network of local astronomers and astrobiologists to digest the release and interpret it to the masses.

6. We DO NOT broadcast a message back to them. This is a tough one but SETI believes there should be a planet wide consensus before such things happen. A lot needs to be discussed… however now that the earth knows where a signal is coming from every person (read: goober) with a transmitter will be sending a message to that spot. A quote from someone was that this mass human noise bomb to that spot is the best representation of our state as a civilization.

7. Start making a movie. Preferably in IMAX 70mm

8. More Champagne!

Yes this is the actual SETI champagne bottle.

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

The developers of Astro and Pico are back on kickstarter with a new motion timelapse platform: Astro Core, this time adding wireless programming and a new feature called “gesture programming”.

Use the Astro App to record your desired motion in mid-air, then send the recorded program to Astro Core and it will mimic your moves. It works with one Astro to create panning or tilting programs, or with two Astros to create simultaneous two axes motion. It’s a pretty cool concept.

I’m working on a more detailed review at the moment and have been communicating with the Astro Core team to help squash bugs and with general feedback. While there are still some issues to work out, the gesture programming, especially for a quick pan or tilt shot, brings a new fun element of control for those looking to execute simple motion timelapse shots.  The kickstarter just went live with a special 24 hour early bird promotion. Learn more on their campaign page.

Excited to share more as the team continues to tweak and update its software.

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

Photographer:
Dustin Farrell

Link and embed:
https://vimeo.com/117079445

Small excerpt from the description:

This is the first major production from our new company. Proud beyond belief!
This volume is a compilation of our best time-lapse shots from the last 2 years. Thanks to everyone that has been a part of the making of this video including Enrique Pacheco, Sean Parker and all of our time-lapse workshop attendees!

Location:
Various

Music:
Music track is “Existence” by Audio Machine (Ambient)

twitter.com/dustin_farrell
facebook.com/dustinfarrellvisualconcepts
instagram.com/dustin_farrell

Gear used (where described):

Motion Control: 
Dynamic Perception
Emotimo

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

Photographer:
Nicholas Buer

Link and embed:
http://vimeo.com/113287920

Blackout City from Nicholas Buer on Vimeo.

Small excerpt from the description:

In a metropolis like London light pollution makes the night sky invisible. Only a few of the brightest stars and asterisms force their celestial light through the man made glow of the city. The night sky, one of the most beautiful of natural wonders is extinguished from view. Blackout City is an experimental timelapse film that makes the invisible, visible. It attempts to show what the night sky would look like If there were ever to be a total blackout in the South East of England on a clear, moonless, summers night.

Location:
London, United Kingdom

Music:
Main track is by The American Dollar ‘As We Float’ (Ambient)
Licensed at: theamericandollar.info/licensingConnect with the photographer:

facebook.com/nicholasbuerphotography
twitter.com/nicholasbuer
gplus.to/nicholasbuer
flickr.com/nicholasbuer
instagram.com/nicholasbuer
nicholasbuer.com

Gear used (where described):

Motion Control: 
Dynamic Perception Stage One Dolly

Awards:
Vimeo Staff Pick

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

Photographer:
Nicholas Buer

Link and embed:
https://vimeo.com/83436955

Ancients from Nicholas Buer on Vimeo.

Small excerpt from the description:

This film follows the ancient cycle of sunset, to night, to sunrise. A continuous loop of perpetual movement that has been unbroken since the dawn of time, and the only true constant in our lives.

Location:
San Pedro de Atacama region of Northern Chile

Music:
Composed by Shudan:
facebook.com/shudanmusic

Connect with the photographer:
facebook.com/nicholasbuerphotography
twitter.com/nicholasbuer
gplus.to/nicholasbuer
flickr.com/nicholasbuer
instagram.com/nicholasbuer
nicholasbuer.com

Gear used (where described):

Motion Control: 
Dynamic Perception Stage One Dolly

Awards:
Vimeo Staff Pick

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

Master List: Camera Cable Connector Types for intervalometers and remote shutter triggers

[aside]View the full guide to choosing the right timelapse intervalometer or remote timer. [/aside]

These timelapse intervalometer and remote timer cable types support the following camera models:

Canon N3 Cable
Canon: 10D, 20D,30D, 40D, 50D, 7D, 6D, 1D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II, 1D Mark III, 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 5D, 5D Mark II & 5D Mark III

Canon E3 (3/32″ TRS) Cable
Canon: 60D, 70D, All the ‘Rebels’ (500D, 550D, 600D etc), T41, T3i, T2i, T1i, Kiss
Pentax: K5, K7, *istD, *istDL, *istDs, *ist, *istDL2, *K100D, K110D, K10D, K200, K20D
Samsung: GX, 1L, GX 1S, GX-10, GX-20
Contax: 645, N1, NX, N Digital

Nikon 3N/DC2 Cable
Nikon: D90, D3100, D5000, D7000, D600

Nikon DC1 Cable
Nikon: D70S,D80

Nikon 10-pin/DC0 Cable
Nikon: D1H, D1X, D2H, D2X, D2Xs, D2Hs, D200, D3, D4, D300, D700, D800, F90x, F90, F100, F6, F5
Kodak: DCS-14n
Fujifilm: S3 Pro, S5 Pro

Panasonic 4-Pole/RS1 Cable
Panasonic: DMC-G1, DMC-GH1, DMC-G2, DMC-GH2, DMC-GH3, DMC-GF1, DMC-G10,DMC-FZ50 SERIES, DMC-FZ30 SERIES,LC-1,L-1GH-4
Leica: DIGILUX2,DIGILUX3

Sony Alpha S1 Cable
Sony: A700, A900, A350, A300, A200, A100, A100k
Konica Minolta: DIMAGE A2, A1, 9, 7HI, 7I, 7, 5, 4, 3, DYNAX7D, DYNAX5D

Sony Alpha S2 Cable
Sony: Alpha 7, 7R & 7S, NEX-3NL, A6000, A58, HX300, RX10 & RX100N

Olympus UC1 Cable
Olympus : e520, e510, e420, e410, e300, sp-570 uz, sp-560 uz, sp-550 uz, sp-510 uz

Olympus CB1 Cable
Olympus: E1, E3, E10, E20,E30

Return to The Massive Time-lapse Photography Tutorial:
[includepost id=”177″][/includepost]

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

Over the years I’ve received a lot of questions about timelapse post production tools and apps… and for good reason, there is a lot out there. Finding and using a particular software application is simple, but so was hand sanding a detailed wood carving before I discovered a Dremel.  Let’s just say knowing what tools exist is a very good thing.

From batch processing programs to Non-Linear Editors (NLE) from deflickering applications to HDR merging, we chat about them independently all over this site and in the timelapse book but what was a continuously updated single collection point. We’ll… lack no more because here it is:

[aside]What is your story?
What have you found to be the simplest to use and/or produce the best time-lapse results?

Help collect all the different software tools for time-lapse photographers and make choosing the right app for getting time-lapse work done even easier.

Take the Time-lapse Software Survey

Take a look at some of the categories below.  If you’ve used the applications and have an opinion, please share by answering a few questions.  This particular survey will act as an initial collection and lay of the time-lapse landscape to be tweaked and reviewed.  What are your thoughts?[/aside]

I listed prices just because some folks might be searching for free time-lapse applications.  Keep in mind a majority of paid apps offer free trials to test out before deciding if the investment makes sense for you. Discounts for students and educators are likely available as well as monthly subscriptions.  Some of these programs do serve multiple purposes and overlap.

Standalone Batch RAW Image processors

Batch editing a collection of RAW images before creating the initial time-lapse sequence.

Aperture ($80)
Camera RAW  (Free)
Adobe Lightroom (creative cloud LR and PS only, $9.99/mo)
Photoshop (creative cloud LR and PS only, $9.99/mo)
Photoshop Elements ($69)

Rendering the time-lapse sequence itself

Aftereffects ($699 or $49/mo)
LRTimelapse (Free eval version, $116)
Photolapse (Free)
Premiere Pro ($699 or $29/mo)
Quicktime Pro ($30)
VideoMach (Free)
VirtualDub  (Free)

Deflickering in post production

GBDeflicker ($99)
CHV Long Exposure plugin for FCP (Time-collection $39)
LRTimelapse (Free eval version, $116)
VirtualDub with MSU Deflicker (Free)

Main NLE (Non-linear editors) for creating final works

Final Cut Pro ($299)
Lightworks (Free – public beta)
Premiere Pro ($699 or $29/mo)
Sony Vegas ($525)

Color Correction Any preferences?

Magic Bullet Colorista (Free)

HDR Batch Processing

Photomatix ($39)
HDR Expose ($149)
SNS-HDR ($120)

Storage and Backup

BackBlaze ($5 month unlimited data!)
USB Stick
Secondary Internal and External Harddrives

I hope this list is a helpful starting point to your next step.

I will be updating this list as more results come.

Thanks for your feedback.

Return to The Massive Time-lapse Photography Tutorial:
[includepost id=”177″][/includepost]

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

[aside]This video covering timelapse flicker reduction is part of a larger road-map outlining timelapse photography called The Massive Time-lapse Photography How to Guide…[/aside] Time-lapse flicker occurs when one frame or many frames appear to be under or over exposed in relation to the frames around it when we make our final video compilations. What we end up with is a strobing effects that really subtracts from the enjoyment of the time-lapse video.

This tutorial is about what causes DSLR time-lapse flicker and what we can do to minimize it. Here’s a quick overview:

(***amature tutorial warning*** These were the first I’d ever made, updated videos in the works)

1. The most common source of time-lapse flicker: Automatic settings
– We can overcome this easily by shooting in full manual mode
2. A secondary source of flicker is a mechanical one: Aperture flicker
– To minimize we can shoot at low f-stops (wider apertures = less exposure variations), however this isn’t always practical
– We can use a manual lens
– We can trick our camera into thinking our automatic lens is manual (lens twist trick)
3. We can also experience flicker from the Shutter: Shutter flicker
– This is easily minimized by shooting at slow shutter speeds ( under 1/100th of a second)
4. Sometimes we need to utilize priority modes for scenes with changing light
– We will get flicker but we can correct with deflickering software, a quick overview of some of the software options out there
– Always cover your camera eyepiece
– Quick introduction to bulb ramping

I hope you found this helpful. If you want to stay up to date on new videos and tutorials, consider subscribing below.

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

Tom Lowe is probably the tip of the spear when it comes to time-lapse photography innovation and experimentation.

His upcoming film “TimeScapes,” a portrait of the American Southwest, combines footage from ultra high quality RED cameras and Canon EOS 5D Mark II’s for time-lapse sequences. His video is filmed and edited at 4K (4096×2304) resolution, four times greater than regular 1080p HD. Projectors can display this much information and there are just now monitors capable of showing this level however affordability is a bit farther away.

Incredible ideas and amazing footage.  Here’s the newest trailer:

The full film is scheduled to be released around May of 2012. You can support his team’s work and preorder a DVD/Blu-ray or digital download at his website.

Description from the video notes:

To view this video in 4K select “Original” in the resolution menu. If you’re having trouble with 4K playback, try using different browsers, like Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome. IE works best for me.

This is production footage from my forthcoming debut film, “TimeScapes,” a portrait of the American Southwest. This video was filmed and edited at 4K (4096×2304) resolution, four times greater than regular 1080p HD. A 4K DCP file is available upon request. Shot on Red Epic and Canon RAW still cameras.

You can pre-order the movie “TimeScapes” here: http://timescapes.org/pre_order.asp

Follow the film here: 1) http://twitter.com/timescapes 2) http://www.facebook.com/TimeScapes 3) http://gplus.to/tomlowe

Special thanks to Terrence Malick and Godfrey Reggio for their support and inspiration. Also thanks to Eric Kessler, Curt Morgan, Jim Jannard, Vincent Laforet, Bruce Allen, Phil Plait, Dave Finley, and to Helio Collective for the beautiful title logo. My most sincere and humble respect to Mark Magidson and Ron Fricke.

Thank you to my sponsors Kessler Crane, Adobe, camBLOCK, Vinten, Canon USA, TVLogic, Borrow Lenses, Wooden Camera, and KATA.

Music by Nigel “John” Stanford: http://johnstanfordmusic.com

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production

“Beauty and seduction are nature’s tools for survival because we protect what we fall in love with. It opens our hearts and makes us feel we are part of nature and we’re not separate from it.”

Wow. The amazing and thoughtful work of Louie Schwartzberg speaking at a TEDx conference in Long Beach.

He is an innovator in the world of time-lapse, nature, aerial and “slice-of-life” photography – the only cinematographer in the world who has literally been shooting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week continuously for more than 30 years.

The way he describes how people react to the images he captures touched me deeply and it renewed a sense of thoughtfulness and thankfulness right to my core.

It reminded me that you and I have a gift. We have the ability to see the beauty and change that exists around us and the desire to capture and share it in ways people have never experienced before.

For this I am most thankful.

Take a listen to his short speech and take a look at the trailer for his short film on Gratitude and Happiness

“Beauty and seduction are nature’s tools for survival because we protect what we fall in love with. It opens our hearts and makes us feel we are part of nature and we’re not separate from it.”

“You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day, it’s the one day that is been given to you, today. It’s given to you. It’s a gift. It’s the only gift that you have right now, and the only appropriate response is gratefulness.

If you do nothing else but to cultivate that response through the great gift that this unique day is, if you learn to respond as if it were the first day in your life, and your last day, then you will have spent this day very well.”

Best of Light,
-Ryan

Learn Timelapse Photography - Timelapse software, gear, shooting, to post production