Earlier this year, in February, I took a fun photo at a Refocus Phoenix outing. Within the next 48 hours, that photo attracted more views (140,000+), received more comments (161) and favorites (608), and was talked about on the internet more than all of the rest of my photos combined.
Josh Gomez on the “Light Speed Escalator” — February 2007
With all the excitement around the photo, I wanted to share with everyone how simple and easy the effect is. I also wanted to show some non-believers that the effect was actually achieved without computer enhancements.
Tonight, I finally took the time to drive back to the Brickyard in Tempe and shoot a video tutorial. I took my cheap JVC camcorder ($300-$400), cheap Canon Digital Rebel XT with kit 18-55mm 3.5 lens (currently under $500), and two reeeally cheap tripods and made this cheap video!
The Result: Brian Shaler — November 2007
Let me know what you think in the comments here (general feedback), on Viddler (feedback on the video), or Flickr (feedback on the photo).
Shaler p0wn’s all others
Dude you look We-Todd-Did.
Very very awesome idea and shot. Love it! =)
Thanks Josh & Dee!
I agree with you, Tony.
Very nicely done! I was interested to see how the video would end… luckily no loss of your vid camera. :)
I am looking forward to more videos of your photography techniques!
very nice use of slow shutter technique!
Very cool!
Awesome technique. I’ll have to try it out sometime for sure. Still new to the game of photography, let alone digital photography.
I’ll keep looking at your Twits
really cool, looks so simple I think I’ll give it try this weekend!
Dude, that’s cool. Something to try next time I’m at the mall.
If you try out this technique, post a link to your photo in the comments! I’d love to see what other people do with it.
That looks fantastic. I have a Cannon 350D (which is what the rebel is called in the UK) and now feel challenged to do some more adventurous things with it!
Awesome work, man. Well executed.
I can’t believe you sat so still!
Very cool idea and a nice explanation video. Good work getting both cameras on and off the escalator without incident
Great work Brian, I wish I could have joined up with you guys for the event!
Very nice, great job both doing the photo and explaining clearly how you did it. We very much appreciate the fact that you took the time to explain. Information democracy in action ;)
I think Brian laid off the coffee for 2 days so he could sit this still. He did awesome!
Adam
Another cool way to do this is to put it on the railing.
Interesting! I’ve dabbled in long exposures myself, and am always looking for a new trick to take for a spin!
Now at full resolution do you still appear still and sharp? Because in my experience it is very difficult to keep a person still for any sort of long exposure.
Does the slight bumping of the escalator do anything to the photo either?
dude get a new haircut. seriously. it’s like “something about mary”
What about trying it with a delayed flash? Fantastic pictures, I will definitely have to give it a shot!
Everything theoretical about this is cool. 20 second exposure to blur factual. The inherent vibration of the escalator and human inability to remain PERFECTLY still for 20 seconds makes me question how the heck your face is so sharp and in image.
That said…everyone should try it and see if they can get a cool shot like this. HOLD STILL. GET AN ESCALATOR that does not vibrate. I should not overlook an image stabilization feature that might be a component of a REALLY good digital still camera.
Kudos! Worth a try.
I have to say that I am puzzled as well as to how the face could be so tack sharp while moving on an escalator. The video did appear to show that the subject sat perfectly still, but I have to believe that even the slightest vibration through the escalator would cause a little bit of blur. Possibly the face was photoshopped in.
PS
Not sure about other cameras, but Canon recommends NOT using the IS function while on a tripod but I think this is mainly to conserve battery.
I love it! I don’t think I could sit still enough for 20 seconds, though. And a $600 dollar camera isn’t cheap by my standards, but I know you’re comparing it to other DSLRs.
i also wonder how your face could be so bloody sharp on a 20 second exposure. My first thought was a long exposure with a second curtain sync flash (where the flas comes at the very end of the exposure in order to freeze the image, so to speak). Enlighten us as to how you sit so still, please
Very cool. I did something like this a while back at the Portland airport on one of the “moving sidewalks” by just putting the camera on the handrail.
You totally suck. Long Exposures are soooo groundbreaking
This is really great. love the photo.
this is a great tutorial thanks a bunch.
Reminds me of the Willem Dafoe escalator movie in Mr. Bean’s Holiday.
how did you stay so sill for 20 seconds?
Yeah, I’m assuming the image stabilization in the lens helps keep the face steady.
Thanks for the tutorial. I already knew how it works, but it was worth it seeing you jump up and grab the tripods as the escalator reached the bottom!
Great idea. I would never have thought to use an escalator for a motion blur shot.
Hey Brian, fyi – you typed “refresh phoenix” but linked to “refocus phoenix”… idk if anybody caught that… :)
Nice photography technique. I always try to think of new ways to better my wedding photography business. These ideas create nice motion-like pictures. I will definitely use it at my next wedding ;D
Cheers
Great technique.
The same little trick can be used in a driving car or on a rotating carusele in Paris.
I think you should try that on a glass elevator. Lets see what happens
Awesome picture
and great job with the tutorial video
I will definately be trying this in the local mall :-)
simple easy and great picture! i like this technique
kick ass man. I’ll give that a try sometime.
Can’t wait to see it, Clintus! Maybe you should come out to a Refocus Phoenix meeting. That’s how the original photo was taken.
Hello!
Thankx for your tip, i will try it someday ;)
cheers from Portugal
Cool!! might wanna try the idea one of these days.. :D