Canon CPS: Alessandro Della Bella shoots low-light timelapses with EOS-1D X

[Chris Dodkin]

Canon CPN have done a write-up on low light time-lapse, highlighting their latest 1DX and it's high-ISO low light performance. The article also provides good insight into the techniques and potential pitfalls for this type of photography.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/della_bella_low_light_timelapse_with_eos_1d_x.do?u tm_source=newsletter-january-1-2013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter

"Produced in extreme conditions, and from remote locations, Alessandro Della Bella’s timelapse low-light landscapes are as beautiful as they are captivating; showing the world from a spellbinding new perspective"

When they say extreme - they mean extreme - here's one of the cameras during the shoot - covered in ice!

"The combination of shooting at night and working at such high altitude means that Alessandro Della Bella – and his EOS cameras – face some harsh conditions, with temperatures plunging well below freezing. “When I started shooting this material I was surprised how well the cameras performed: on Piz Corvatsch at -25°C the EOS-1D X worked perfectly. Usually low temperatures themselves are not the problem – a cold alpine environment is also very dry, so lenses stay free of ice. It’s when clouds appear that humidity arrives, bringing ice with it. Sometimes I love the unpredictable results this can give, though I'm always looking for good ways to protect my equipment. When ice gets too much, a quick lens change is the best way of clearing things. I put the frozen lenses in front of a little oven to warm up a bit, though sometimes they clear themselves in the wind.”

[video=vimeo;55899485]http://vimeo.com/55899485[/video]

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Am I alone in finding that movie lacked any aesthetic statement other than "look at all these things going by quickly"? I agree the read up on the equipment is interesting, but the result just did nothing for me.

 

[Davie Hudson]

Am I alone in finding that movie lacked any aesthetic statement other than "look at all these things going by quickly"? I agree the read up on the equipment is interesting, but the result just did nothing for me.

I preferred the single shots

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

You are not alone Rob. I ended up skipping through the video. I do not think the location helped or the editing. Maybe it was more about the actual project and what the gear could withstand. Lets say i have seen better time laps, but time laps of this manner is not my cup of tea anyway. would love the camera though even with it being a heavy wight to carry around.

 

[Pete Askew]

I have to agree, I'm beginning to tire of this sort of time lapse. Impressive though they are, without some sort of narrative they all start to look the same.

Still, an interesting link to what the gear can take.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I think their is a big chasm between stills photography and movie making - with movies you have to tell the story in a different way, and just being able to technically get the shot doesn't get you there.

It's like all the special FX movies that came after StarWars - most of them were pants because they had no story, no direction etc

There are few timelapse people out there who can put together a compelling film.