A photographic journey into the lights of Japan
During a three-week stay, Heffernan traveled to several Japanese cities, such as Fukuoka, Nara, Osaka, Fushimi, Itoshima, Kyoto and Kobe, and captured more than 35,000 images. These photos come together to illustrate the dynamism of Japanese nightsfrom crowded intersections to neon-saturated neighborhoods, in a series of vibrant and poetic cityscapes. Heffernan's timelapse shows both the bustle of urban life and the special atmosphere of Japanese autumn.
The photographer used StarStax, software specialized in starry sky shotsto adapt this method to urban scenes.
I wanted to transpose star trails to the urban world and capture the electric vitality of Japanese streets.
he explains to the PetaPixel site, which asked him about this project.
Technical challenges and complex assembly
The production of Dreamlapse Japan 3 was not easy. Heffernan had to deal with extreme lighting conditions, from dazzling neon lights to darker street details. The photographer had to find the balance between light and shadows to recreate the nocturnal atmosphere without losing visual quality. Armed with an ultra-light carbon fiber tripod and a Canon 6D, he traveled long distances daily to capture the perfect angles. He also used various lenses to enrich the visual palette, from the Canon 24mm f/1.4 to the Canon EF 24-105mm.
A magnificent final video
The editing, spread over two weeks, involved several software programs, including Lightroom Classic, Final Cut Pro X and QuickTime Pro, to create a fluid sequence of scenes. The final video immerses the viewer in an almost surreal atmosphere where modernity and tradition mingle. By combining cutting-edge techniques and a precise aesthetic sense, Heffernan offers a unique and captivating vision of urban Japan.
The photographer also has many other timelapses on his YouTube channel, including one taken in Paris, we advise you to check it out! Some videos are truly magnificent.
