Master of the Skies and Stars: Tom Lowe and his new film TIMESCAPES
There are few people in this world that are as special as Tom Lowe. Most of you know him as one of the pre-eminent time-lapse photographers/filmmakers out there who has been redefining the medium for years now on Timescapes. (Tom was named Astronomy Photographer of the Year last year.) Tom has worked with Terrence Malick and many other pre-eminent filmmakers in fact (and given how humble Tom is – he’ll probably be upset I mentioned Terrence’s name.) Tom is also an author, a Gulf War Veteran and generally a Zen master. Tom has lived outside of his pickup truck for more than a year, on top of freezing mountains and in the desert for months at a a time. Granted he’s gotten to witness some of the most beautiful sites that our land offers.
Tom is out to raise the bar even higher now – with his 4K film "Timescapes" that he’s been working on tirelessly for close to two years now. He’s been shooting with Kessler motion control cranes and dollies, lenses from Canon / Leica / RED / Duclos, and Arri Master Primes, with RED’s Epic camera, the Canon 5D MKII and the PL-modified Canon 1D MKIV by Denz as well – to produce some of the most gorgeous footage I’ve ever seen shot on this continent in the last decade.
The level of dedication, passion and just plain hard work (not to mention sleepless nights) that Tom has put into this is unparalleled. He and his team (assistants Dustin Kukuk and Nilo Merino Recalde) have likely seen more sunrises and sunsets over that time than almost anyone else in this country. Their level of dedication to their craft is unparalleled – something that I’ve witnessed many times in person – and most recently during the Timefest get together in Lone Pine thanks to Eric Kessler. Most filmmakers put in endless hours, days, weeks, and years into their films. But we are almost always surrounded by dozens of others who are there to support us (if we’re lucky;) Making a film on your own out in the wild for close to 2 years – with nothing but faith and a dream takes a very special kind of person. A special soul. Like I said: Tom is a Zen master who happens to love Dubstep.
Tom is the truest example of an artist dedicated to his craft – and to sharing with others. While you’ll be hard pressed to get him to lead a workshop because he really doesn’t like to hear himself talk – he’s always there to lend anyone a helping hand, and won’t hesitate for even a millisecond to share one of his favorite shooting spots with you, location, angle to shoot, and time of year. He’s just that kind of guy.
I can’t wait to see this film premiere – and you bet I’ll do my best to have a front row seat. If you’d like to help support Tom you can go ahead to the film’s site and pre-order it. Supporting fellow filmmakers is important – for example, I know that I could easily get a copy of the Blu-ray for free from him – but instead I’ve gone ahead and ordered the limited edition one because I simply want to show my support and keep artists like him busy forever in our community. I think we need people like Tom out there – and I can’t wait to see a lot more people discover who this man is and to follow his example. I already know that many of your will end up following in his footsteps…
For those of you that would like to see more – here is a previous trailer:
Yep, you’re a master Tom.
Really fantastic work. It’s great to see this level of dedication.
Not since Baraka have I been so excited. Thanks Tom.
Special edition ordered. I’m a such a fan of this man and he deserves every success. Can’t wait to see this film!
awesome… something to be proud of..
Living the dream. LIVING IT. Rendering it.
Awesome work Tom. I wish you much success with the film release
I’ve been looking forward to this for so long… I can’t wait. Tom’s stuff is utterly enjoyable, and most of the time, makes me giggle inside like a little school girl. The other time, I want to throw my gear into the trash and give up. 😉
Thanks for the blog Vincent, it’s been a joy to follow Tom and yourself on this journey into a new era of time-lapse.
Amazing! how is it possible that after watching this countless times, I want to watch it and watch it again… So much talent.. creativity..vision. You are an inspiration to all us filmmakers…
I salut you Tom Lowe!
Gorgeous. Honestly timelapses and scenery photography/video never really did anything for me until I saw Tom’s night work. Very awesome.
Ohhh My God!!
i can’t wait for the movie, every time i watch this or any of your other work it just blows my mind, you are my inspiration for time-lapse!!
Thank you for putting together such an awesome team and staying the course. Your work captures the universe and opens everyone’s eyes to an amazing perspective of the universal power of time. Everything is part of a Blooming Machine. Thank you for sharing.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 5th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
Just to clarify – this is all Tom’s team. I was just happy to support his work in any way that I can! I shot one or two shots that might make it in the final film – and it was an honor.
I rarely get to see films outside of the cinema, therefore I rarely buy DVD’s, Blu-Ray and I own very few, the ones I do were probably gifts. When I was searching, earlier in the year for information on time lapse photography and found TimeScapes.org I had my credit card before the trailer had finished without taking my eyes from the computer (although I believe I might have not been able to stop myself watching it several times in amazement before I could look at the dull payment portal).
Tom Lowe, just absolutely stunning amazing stuff. Makes me want to live out of a van in the middle of nowhere.
There are artists who can inspire others, and then are artists who can create a world that no one else can. It is a window into the human soul.
Tom and the other time festers – continue down that path until there is nowhere else to go. Wether you sell 1 copy or a million, it has succeeded.
Vincent – I’m sure Tom would be humbled by your words.
Vincent, I think you touched on something very important there; the fact that Tom is part of a blossoming and talented community of filmmakers and timelapse photographers, and also the fact that he represents not only the forefront of contemporary filmmaking but also the future too. So why as you say “get a film for free” when it is our absolute pleasure as fellow filmmakers to watch and support artists like Tom in their craft. His work needs to be supported (emotionally and financially) so he can continue to dazzle us for many years to come.
Sweet vision of love and harmony +sound Tom.
Keep it up and more coming =D
Tom is an artist and a master. Such a beautiful mind i can forgive him he’s love for Skrillex 🙂
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 9:35 am
LOL
This is the most amazing photography I have ever seen. You are a genius.
Incredible work ……. very sensitive …….. thanks for share …!!!!
Amazing write up. I’ve been eagerly waiting on the release of Timescapes since I found out about it many many months ago. The video that Tom creates is just extraordinary! Chances are I’ll be ordering a special edition as well to help support him.
Thanks Tom!, and thanks Vincet!
Amazing! It all so incredible to see what can be captured. You guys are awesome. Vincent I love your work and thanks for sharing Tom’s work, my hat’s off to the both of you.
MIND NUMBING how can anybody think of such visuals..tom lowe must be supported …… pure excellence !!!
Gorgeous! Magnificent! I love it! Planet Earth is breathtaking beautiful- what a shame that we destroy it. We need more Tom Lowe`s!
I can say nothing that has not already been said here. Other than, thank you Vincent, for the heads-up on how we all can support it with pre-orders. I just placed mine, and feel great about having contributed the tiniest little part towards the reward for all of Tom’s hard work.
TIMESCAPES — God’s view of Creation. Stunning, magnificent, otherworldly, is saying too little. These wonders are…humbling. Vincent Laforet ponders if others will follow where Lowe has gone? A few will try but most will not even attempt it.We’ll just dream.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
We need to Love and Care for our Mother Earth……..
For great nature and wildlife pictures, you have to visite the largest crown game preserve in the world
Chapleau Crown Game Preserve
Chapleau Ontario Canada
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
One day I hope to!
No words. Amazing!!!
This is completly off topic but I have noticed a website with a lot of your images on it with no credit, there are a lot of images there from many greats still with no credit or payment I would think. Please have a look as you might want to do something about it http://onebigphoto.com/tilt-shift-airport/ the iste is also on face book and the main site is http://www.onebigphoto.com
Vincent Laforet Reply:
December 12th, 2011 at 12:29 am
Thank you
Pure excellence !
HD download version ordered – so looking forward to this!!!
Hi Vincent – Tom is truly amazing – love it ! BUT, I still think this guy takes the cake http://vimeo.com/29950141
Luke Davies
Tom is a true auter in the field of time lapse imagery. Heck, he’s the inspiration for me to start… But unlike him, my dedication and time is limited 🙁
Let’s hope his film isn’t just confined to the small screen. Wonder if it can scale to the size of IMAX? Would love to watch it at my local 8 storey IMAX!
I wonder how he’ll piece the story together?
I am just writing to let you be aware of what a brilliant discovery my cousin’s princess obtained going through your webblog. She learned numerous details, which included how it is like to have a marvelous helping spirit to have a number of people very easily know precisely several grueling matters. You actually did more than her expected results. Thanks for distributing such helpful, dependable, explanatory and as well as cool thoughts on this topic to Lizeth.