Time Lapse Photography: Interview with John Novotny

Time Lapse Photography shows movement and beauty in the landscape like no other art form. The following interview with time lapse photographer, John Novotny, gives us a glimpse into this unique form of still photography and the challenges that come with it. His time lapse film “Southern Region Time Lapses” is found here, with the interview located beneath.

Interview with John Novotny

What was your journey to time lapse photography? What is it about time lapse that you found so appealing?

I was primarily inspired by the work of other photographers. Originally I was interested in DSLRs for their video capabilities, but it became quickly apparent to me that still photography could be used to capture incredibly high quality, beautiful sequences. Advances in digital technology have made time lapse accessible as never before and there is a growing body of work online. My goal is to leverage the creative potential in still time lapse, which to date has also included the use of HDR photography.

What, in a nutshell, is your process for collecting footage in time lapse photography?

I try and scout locations before-hand and most often I rely on local Parks staff or other locals to tell me where prime locations might be. I usually set up two (sometimes three) cameras. Afterwards, I process almost all of my sequences with HDR tools. Sometimes the effect is very subtle.

What are the greatest challenges of time lapse photography?

The expense. Good, fast wide-angle lenses are expensive and these are essential, especially in night photography. It’s a slow painstaking process acquiring gear on a limited budget.

The weather can also work against you. I spent a week this year out in -35C just south of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. Ninety-nine percent of the time I’m alone in remote areas. I’m careful not to take stupid chances, which can be tempting in pursuit of the “perfect” shot. The wind was particularly bad at certain times and this can be dangerous to your gear if you’re not careful. My best camera got destroyed last year in a hail storm despite weatherproofing. It taught me valuable (and expensive) lesson to always be prepared for Alberta’s changeable weather.

What do you hope to communicate to people that view your time lapse photography, specifically the Southern Regions Time Lapses?

I try to convey both the dramatic and subtle beauty of Southern Alberta. Time lapse is surreal, but it has a way of affecting people intuitively. They react to it with wonder as if the act of making it surreal makes it more real, more beautiful. Of course, you can never beat the real thing, but by using time lapse and HDR, if done correctly, you can capture the essence of a place and portray it in a different way.

To quote Ansel Adams, “Both the grand and the intimate aspects of nature can be revealed in the expressive photograph. Both can stir enduring affirmations and discoveries, and can surely help the spectator in his search for identification with the vast world of natural beauty and the wonder surrounding him.” He is referring to still photography, but this, I feel, very much applies to time lapse as well.

Southern Region Time Lapses is the embodiment of what I’m trying to communicate in all my pieces in one way or another.

You’ve spent a lot of time outdoors shooting subjects for long periods of time. What has this taught you about the landscape?

Beauty is everywhere. Whether it’s the rolling plains, arid badlands or mountains, there’s beauty everywhere… even in the middle of a hail storm.

Any other thoughts?

Time lapse is accessible as never before and the barriers of entry have been lowered. Even older used cameras can generate great results in the right conditions. There’s free open source software available for compiling still time lapses on the Window’s side and Quick Time Pro (a mere $30) can do it on the Apple side. To anyone thinking of getting into time lapse, I say there’s no better time than the present.

Lastly, I want to thank my colleagues at Alberta Parks for giving me the opportunity to produce the kind of work I do. I owe everything to them and Alberta Parks.

-Interview by Meghan J. Ward

© The Campsite