In the realm of photography, the fusion of time and art is strikingly portrayed through the time-stack technique, a method that blends multiple sequential images into a single masterpiece. Matt Molloy, a Canadian photographer, has pushed the boundaries of this technique, creating surreal landscapes that resemble vivid paintings. By meticulously stacking hundreds of photos, he illustrates the intricate dance of clouds across the sky, showcasing nature’s ever-changing spectacle. This process is akin to a symphony; each photograph is a note that, when combined, produces a visual harmony that captures the essence of time passing. Molloy’s work transcends traditional photography, bridging the gap between moving images and the still frame, thus inviting viewers to experience the fluidity and dynamism of the world above.
Molloy’s method requires not just a keen eye but a deep understanding of the evolving patterns that the sky displays. His process involves initially stacking all photos captured in a timelapse sequence to assess the potential of each series. If the result becomes too chaotic due to rapid cloud movement, he gracefully edits by removing excess frames to focus on the most captivating segments. His approach sometimes includes watching the timelapse as a video, allowing him to identify the most visually compelling moments. This iterative process results in sunset stacks comprised of approximately 100 to 200 images, each frame serving as a brushstroke on his atmospheric canvas. His work is a testament to the beauty of patience and precision, capturing fleeting celestial moments in vibrant, otherworldly sceneries that tell the story of the natural world like never before.
Sometimes the clouds are moving quick and there’s lots of them. If I stack too many photos from a timelapse like that, it can get a little messy. I usually try stacking all the photos from a timelapse to get an idea of what I’m working with, if it’s too crazy I’ll start taking some out and try again. I’ve also found it helps to watch them as a regular timelapse video to pick out the interesting sections. Most of the sunset stacks are around 100 to 200 photos.
Matt Molloy
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