Into the dark kingdom

Yes, northern Norway is the dark kingdom during winter: the endless polar night, below freezing temperatures... but every kingdom has a king and a queen: here the king is the darkness, but the queen is our beloved northern light. She comes to dance for us, with different make-up every day!

Please, watch it in HD to get the full resolution video!

I have included different techniques in this video:
The daytime sequences have been taken using the hyperlapse technique: this technique means taking a photo every certain distance, or in this case, angle. I changed my camera angle for approximately half a degree for each of the individual shots, and then set the time-lapse in Adobe After effects. The result is a smooth panning with quickly moving clouds, that would not be seen if the panning was done in a normal video.

The northern light sequences are steady time-lapses, and I added the motion afterwards in post-processing. I have tried to make them as close as possible to the real time, but the sequences in this video are far from being real time: if you look at the stars, and you see them moving, you know that the acceleration is significant (at least 5 seconds of reality per second in video). Of course, the faster they move, the more the acceleration.

All the sequences were taken with a Canon EOS 60D and a Samyang 14mm lens.

I will explain in further posts the hyperlapse technique, and of course, feel free to ask questions about the sequences, or any other issue :)

What do you think about it?

Let me know on  facebook, or send me an e-mail!