Tokyo is one of the most unique cities in the world. While it’s full of technological advances, bright LED signs, and the hustle and bustle of millions of people, it still has the traditional feel and culture of a city whose roots go back centuries.
To capture this living dichotomy, cinematographer Christoph Gelep used his collection of camera gear and visual expertise to show off just how beautiful this historic city can be in an absolutely gorgeous hyper-lapse.
From beginning to end, the visuals and sounds present a mesmerizing maze of people and buildings through the most iconic locations and attractions, from the Shibuya train station to the seemingly endless railways that weave their way in and out of the architecture.
Earlier this year, Gelep spent five days in Tokyo capturing footage with the help of his Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 24–70 F/2.8 Di VC, Samyang 14mm T3.1, and an arsenal of time-lapse equipment. Throughout the four-minute visual experience, Gelep combines still images with motion picture to create an ever-evolving look at one of the world’s most unique cities.
In addition to blending visual media, Gelep also uses hyper-lapse techniques including clean and drastic zooms, as well as clever transitions and speed ramping, which is the act of slowing down and speeding up footage in a time-lapse to create a time-warp aesthetic.
From beginning to end, the visuals and sounds present a mesmerizing maze of people and buildings through the most iconic locations and attractions, from the Shibuya train station to the seemingly endless railways that weave their way in and out of the architecture.
You can find more of Gelep’s work over on his Vimeo channel.
