On a summer trip to Maine a few years ago, my main mission, other than consuming mass quantities of lobster, was to capture sunset to sunrise timelapse videos. The magical transition from setting sun to rising moon always fascinated me, and I was determined to capture the dramatic and compelling beauty. My wife and I rented a seaside cabin in the small coastal town of Bernard on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island just outside of Acadia National Park. A perfect idyllic location on the rocky shoreline of Duck Cove.
Before the trip, I took crash courses absorbing YouTube how-to videos on capturing sunset-to-sunrise timelapses with my GoPro Hero 9. I did the research and duplicated the steps needed to complete the mission without damaging my GoPro. After all, there are risks leaving a camera overnight exposed to misty humid air, sea breeze, possible rain, and even theft. I was less concerned about the latter since we were in a pretty remote area. As for the other risks, I bought a a portable charger and protected it in a Tupperware container. I cut a small hole in the container to thread the power cord through to connect to my GoPro. I then used silicone gel ear plugs you can buy at any pharmacy and sealed the hole and the exposed camera cord input. Made everything as water tight as possible.
With the camera securely mounted on a tripod at the edge of the shore, I framed the shot at the best possible angle as dusk fell, put the camera in timelapse mode, double-checked the settings recommended by those Youtube tutorials, and hit the start button. Then I walked away. Back at the cabin, I watched as the sky became the ultimate masterpiece as the sun dipped lower and vibrant hues spread across the sky. When morning came, I felt great anticipation. Did the camera lose power? Was it knocked over by a wind gust? Was there a breach in my waterproofing? So consumed by questions , I headed back to the shore before the first pot of coffee brewed. Soon, all my questions would be answered!
To my delight, the camera was in tact and operating. The portable charger still had power after running for twelve hours. In the end, all my preparation paid off. But, did I have good images? Back at the cabin, I downloaded what was on the SD card to my laptop computer. Thousands of images loaded! My video editing software compiled them all into a sequence and compressed hours of images into a timeline lasting just about two or so minutes. I did some minor tweaking to brightness, contrast, highlights, and shadows, but that was it. I was amazed with the result. A mesmerizing tapestry took shape before my eyes.
The rolling clouds moved gracefully across the sky, creating ever-changing patterns and casting shadows on the moonlit water. It was as if nature had choreographed a celestial dance. The absence of significant light pollution revealed a myriad of stars. Several shooting stars streaked across the canvas of the night.
Sunset to sunrise timelapses are more than just a visual spectacle; they encapsulate the passage of time, the ebb and flow of nature’s rhythms, and the profound connection we share with our surroundings. They serve as a gentle reminder to pause, appreciate, and immerse ourselves in the breathtaking wonders that surround us.
If you ever get a chance, I urge you to embark on your own timelapse adventure, especially at a serene seashore setting. Create your own visual masterpiece that tells a tale of beauty, serenity, and wonder.
