Intro by Skip Cohen

This may be the record-setter for the most content in one blog post over the last three years here at SCU. But just like the old "Have it your way," Burger King commercials from years back, you've got the ability to choose the level of detail you want on time lapse photography. It's all thanks to Panasonic Luminary and my very good buddy, Bob Coates.

That's Bob and me, captured in a screen shot from a frame when he video-bombed my Shutter Magazine editorial video two years ago. We're definitely two knuckleheads who have been friends for a long time. We were playing with a GH3 for the recording.


Technology is constantly changing and in imaging we've got the most number of creative tools in the history of photography! I've spent a lot of time hanging out with Bob over the years and he never sits still. If there's something new to add more creativity to his skill set, you can be sure he's going to check it out.

The link to each video's background story is below the video. So, watch the short clip, then check out what Bob's doing, how he's doing it and the backstory from one of the most beautiful places on the planet, his home town of Sedona.

You can follow Bob through his  Successful-Photographer blog and in the LUMIX Lounge. Check out more of Bob's work and also the other members of the Luminary team. This is an incredibly talented group of artists, all different in the way they capture, create and see the world around us. You'll never be disappointed in what they have to share!

by Bob Coates
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I was never one much for creating video until I started to work with Lumix cameras. Being able to get solid looking video straight out of the camera is pretty easy with a little practice. 

But the video story I want to share with you today has to do with creating time lapse imagery. It used to be very difficult to create time lapses as you had to buy and use an extra piece of equipment called an intervalometer to set the timing and control the camera. This meant having an extra piece of equipment to secure and different batteries to worry about. In essence, one more thing to possibly go wrong. In addition, if you wanted additional Ken Burns type movement in your finished video a motorized rail system was necessary at additional expense.

Enter Lumix cameras. The time lapse settings are built in to the camera. The processing is built into the camera. And when processed to 4K video you can add the Ken Burns movements in post production using Adobe’s Premiere Pro or other video editing program because the file is processed so large. Here are some links to time lapse videos i’ve been playing with in capturing the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona a place I’m fortunate enough to call home. 

I’ll bet wherever you call home can be wonderful subject matter for your time lapse movies too!

Kristen Jensen is a Panasonic Luminary with a pretty unusual background. She's spent as much of her life in front of the camera as she has behind it. Starting out her career in photography as a Ford supermodel, she's got an incredible ability to identify with her clients when they're in front of her camera. 

As a lifestyle-photographer she brings an enlightened and gracious style to her advertising, magazine and portrait assignments. These photo shoots include; celebrities, CEO’s and business owners. “I’m in the business of making people feel and look their best”, say’s Kristen. 

That quote is from her website and it says a lot about why Kristen loves the quality of the 4K video above. Kristen isn't just a photographer, but an artist and fast becoming a filmmaker.  In terms of the video she shot for realtor, Susan Leone, I'm sharing it for two reason:

First, notice the way she's told the story. It's short, to the point and definitely keeps you watching without looking at your watch. Second, the quality of shooting 4K is pretty remarkable. Any frame, especially the portrait quality of the subject could be captured as an 8 megapixel file, more than adequate for still images if she needed them.

Kristen shot this video with a LUMIX GH4. Just click the GH4 body on the left for more information from Adorama.  After you watch Kristen's short video, check out the demo video on 4K from Panasonic below. I love the point about never missing a shot again. Shooting in 4K you're shooting at 30 frames per second and there are times when no matter how good a photographer you are, some shots are tough to get!

Interested in seeing more of Kristen's work? Check out her website and then join her in the Lumix Lounge with other members of the Luminary team!

Intro by Skip Cohen

It's time for another guest post by my good buddy Mark Toal. Mark is a regular contributor to Mirrorless Photo Tips along with some other great friends, Joe and Mary Farace. To Mark's point with today's guest post, mirrorless cameras, especially Panasonic's family of LUMIX cameras allow us all to have better lighter gear with us when traveling.

I'll be the first to admit traveling on vacation with all the gear I used to drag along was no fun. Today, most of my travel is with an FZ1000 or GH3 around my neck or when just wanting a point and shoot with me, a DMC-ZS30 in my pocket. The two images above were both shot with this remarkable little camera, and while this model is no longer in production, you can count on whatever replaced it being just as good! I also refer to it as the first camera on the market to not be susceptible to waitresses cutting off heads! LOL

Interested in seeing more of Mark's work and enjoying his "how-to" support, check out Mirrorless Photo Tips. Also check out the LUMIX Lounge where you'll often find Mark and Panasonic's Luminary team sharing images and terrific content every day!