Paris In Motion: A Tour de Force of Various Timelapse Techniques Set in the City of Light

Check out this way-cool timelapse video by Mayeul Akpovi. Set in Paris, Mayeul used a number of interesting techniques to add an incredible range of motion to a timelapse video. Add in a variety of twilight and dusk scenes, and the city comes to life in a way that I haven't seen before. This video reminds me of one of our most popular posts of all time, "Can Anyone Figure Out How This Timelapse Was Filmed?" Let us know how you think Mayeul did it!

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Michael Kelley (mpkelley.com) is a Los Angeles-based architectural and fine art photographer with a background in digital art and sculpture. Using his backgrounds in the arts, he creates images that are surreal and otherworldly, yet lifelike and believable. A frequent traveler, Michael's personal work focuses on the built environment of unique

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19 Comments

Segway maybe? But aside from the wobbly moving TS shots, his static TS shots wernt anything special.

moving tripod.

I think Mayel's are all within easy reach of the ground - so could just be some form of dolly - either moved manually with precision or something like a Kessler timelapse motor or cheaper telescope motor. Not all the motions are perfect.

The T-Recs one - my guess would be something like a zip-line between two masts/tall stands - and again a V slow motor controlling ascent/descent. Mind you - think a couple pan or tilt at the same time - a bit mor difficult - but again those seem to be with reach of the ground.

How are the moving shots made? Glidecam? Dolly? Or maybe just handheld and aligned?

I move the camera with a Benro tripod after each shot.

Oh, in the end its always an old well proven technique! Great job

I'd say they had mounted a tripod on a platform that is driven by a motor.

Absolutely immense and inspiring, love the way it looks like the camera is just picked up and moved along through some of the scenes..amazing work..

Look up "hyperlapse" on Google.

I hope he licensed the rights to the Eiffel Tower at night when it's lights were on :) http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0040xw

This is not for commercial use, just artistic. And the copyright of the illuminations of the Eiffel Tower at night have been mentioned in the end credits. It's still good to know for those who do not know it yet.

I really really love the way this looks and now has me wanting to try this. :)

Thanks Rebecca :). Don't hesitate to share with me your first tests ;)

very well done - are they HDR images?  what was your total image count for the project?

Thanks. This isn't HDR images, this is a traiment in post-production. There were 3,000 images for this project.

Fantastic work Mayeul!!!

Thank you so much Martin

I've just returned from photograohing Paris and this was inspiring.

Hi! Watch my hyperlapse https://vimeo.com/51584261