Death Valley Time Lapse in 4K

A few weeks ago we learned through social media that Death Valley National Park was experiencing an unusually large wildflower bloom this spring (referred to as a "Super Bloom"), and within a day we were on the road to go make a film of the park.
Most of our videos are filmed with a drone, but this one is different: we knew we wouldn't be able to fly a drone in Death Valley (drones are banned in National Parks) so we focused mostly on time lapse (aka timelapse) photography for this video. We tried as well to incorporate a travel element to the video, showing our experiences of traveling around the park and enjoying the sights. We spent 9 days there, and while we didn't make it to every potential location, we tried to get a variety of shots and locations.
The equipment used for this video was:
Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Motion Control Dolly
Glidecam HD-2000
Panasonic GH4
Lumix 7-14mm lens
Canon 50mm f1.4 (mounted to the Panasonic with a Metabones adapter)
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 (also with the Metabones adapter)
Zoom H4n external audio recorder for capturing natural sound
The harsh conditions of the shoot took its toll on my equipment...my cameras got a lot of dust in them and need to be sent out for cleaning. My 70-200 lens was shaken up too much by the bumpy dirt roads and needs to be sent to Canon for repairs, and I dropped my 50mm lens down a cliff and destroyed it. :-( But, as one of my favorite KZbinrs (DevinSuperTramp) would say, "It's all about the shot." The risks to equipment are worth it to get beautiful shots.
The song in this video is titled "Storybook", and is by Analog Heart. It was licensed through The Music Bed.

[@DeathValleyDazed]

Wow, total eye candy. Thanks so much for taking the time to create such stunning pans and time lapses of my favorite national park. I did not want your video to end. Glad to see the family having fun too!

[@TravisRhoads]

Simply incredible. Now I don't want to finish working on my DVNP timelapses...very inspiring work.

[@i3aluchi]

What a video! It is clear that every clip has an outstanding adventure behind it. Really awesome.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks. It's now a year and a half since this trip and we still remember well the great adventures we had. It was one of our favorite times from the year that we spent on the road.

[@martinprenger2586]

Stunning movie, love the way you depict the solitude of the desert. Hats off to your photographic eye.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you! I'm fairly certain I've said this in previous comments, but this video is one of my favorites from our videos. Death Valley was such a unique and cool experience, and we have some great memories from there, so watching this video brings me back both to the stark beauty of the place, and to a few of our experiences as well.

[@peterrichardson8003]

Just visited Death Valley today, then saw your video, it’s like being there again. Beautiful work my friend, thanks so much for sharing for the rest of us!

[@keithbrightwellaerialprod]

Amazing! I’ve been there so many times but you have captured it in such a beautiful and unique way! I’m so glad I stumbled upon you channel.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

This is one of my favorite videos from all of the videos we've made. Watching this brings back such beautiful memories of the 10 days we spent there. It was such a cool experience, and so starkly beautiful.

[@TheMountainMatt]

Great video! Spent Thanksgiving long weekend hiking in DV after the snowfall they had. Absolutely beautiful!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I miss Death Valley. This was a rare occurrence in our lives where we heard about something (the Super Bloom that took place that year) and dropped other things to just go and enjoy something different than our expectations had been. We have such good memories from the week and a half that we spent there. And it was in February, so wasn't too hot, so we were able to do a fair bit of hiking. How much snow did they get? Was it low in elevation? We only saw snow on the peaks around the valley when we were there.

[@santacruztunes8279]

Planet Earth is amazing - thanks for creating this and inspiring others for life!

[@CrystalClearNM]

Absolutely gorgeous...thank you so much for this

[@BlueMantleFilms]

You're welcome! And thank you for the kind words! This remains one of my favorite of our films because of the memories from Death Valley. Most of my drone films were a little more "production-like" (aka, we were there mostly just to make a video), whereas this was us spending 9 days in Death Valley --camping, hiking, going on cool excursions and seeing cool things-- and me going out sometimes to film timelapses. It was definitely a highlight from the 14 months that we were RVing.

[@LanceBrazil]

This video is truly amazing and captures DEATH VALLEY Magnificently

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you. It was so much fun filming it (though of course, at times, it was tiring too!). This is one of my favorite of our videos, and I watch it again every once in awhile to remember how awesome it was to be there.

[@santacruztunes8279]

Also I might add, this is inspiration for parents to take even little kids out on adventures in nature!

[@talanigreywolf7110]

Thank you.. thank you so much for sharing a place I've lived near and visited many times through my life. Thank you for showing the true beauty that exists there, from Stove Pipe Wells to Furnace Creek. From the Devil's Golf Course to Scotty's Castle, there are so many amazing things to see out there! Again, thank you!

[@TomSpurlock]

That's the most artistic video I've seen on YT to date. Excellent!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you! That's a wonderful compliment, and encourages me to continue creating beauty projects. This video still remains one of my favorites from everything we've made, and I do enjoy returning to it from time to time to be reminded of the wonderful experiences we had in Death Valley.

[@EugeneShmelyov]

Perfect job!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks!

[@DeathValleyDazed]

Sorry that such lovely images took such a toll on your equipment but so glad for me because I've watched your excellent video over several times. All your scenes are terrific but my favorite was the shoot over the dead tree at the sand dunes. Love that texture and perspective.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

It's worth it. I've damaged/lost equipment on a lot of other projects as well. It goes with the territory. And equipment is just a tool that can be replaced. What's really a bummer is the few times that I've lost footage, because that can't be recovered.

[@TheRealTraviShotz]

Man you got the "Juice" !!! I love all of your epic videos! Keep up the great work. I'm inspired... :)

[@argee36]

Spectacular! Beyond words beautiful

[@BlueMantleFilms]

+argee36 Thank you. It was awesome to be there.

[@MarkHennessey]

Absolutely beautiful. Another excellent job!

[@toutl]

Lovely photography. Beautifully smooth time lapse. Especially loved the waterfall and star scenes

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you. The waterfall was awesome...and a great afternoon excursion for us. I do wish I had known more about star photography when I filmed this...while yes, you can see the stars, I wish I'd been able to capture more color from the sky. That said, I was happy with how the moon shots turned out, and it was a learning experience overall for me.

[@icewink7100]

The cinematography is amazing!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you! And thanks for watching.

[@franklinrwful]

Beautiful video. We went there in October 2016. A beautiful place.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

It really is a beautiful place!

[@davidfancy7679]

Thanks for doing this, so nice.

[@laughwhilstraping]

Everything in this video was amazing, great job

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you for watching. Glad you like it.

[@alicjafelisiak8709]

editing, music, views ... everything in this video amazed me! 😍

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks. This is one of my favorite videos that we've made.

[@danmcsky]

Loved the night time lapse's. Great cinematography.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you. It was really fun filming them, as I had never done night timelapses previously...the whole project was a big learning experience for me.

[@aarontaylor4471]

Spot on sir! Nice work!

[@T1gress]

Just beautiful . I shared it on my Fb page. Death Valley (socal side) holds a special place in my heart among my top fav places Ive been. … I was there once for only 12 hrs but I fell in love.. Luky us (me and 1 friend who was my tour guide) there were NO other people there that day, at least no where that we wandered.. The only time we saw a person was when we were leaving and a truck went thru. I hope to one day go and bike ride thru during a wildflower bloom;-)

[@BlueMantleFilms]

+T1gress Thanks for sharing!

[@smahamartin]

Excellent professional work !

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you. Sorry I didn't respond to this comment previously...I'm trying to catch up on comments now. I'm finally getting back in the saddle with these travel/drone/timelapse videos, so I should have more coming out shortly. Please check back soon.

[@jrtimelapse1692]

Thank you for your wonderful video.^^

[@vk4vsp]

Beautiful. That's an impressive slider you have there. I wondered how you were getting such long tracking shots until I saw in on your pack. Love that moonlight scene too.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

It's quite the beast to hike around with. I actually just bought another (shorter) slider that will be a bit more portable, but I'll definitely be keeping my 6-foot slider as well for when the situation allows for it.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

And thanks for stopping by and watching!

[@skinloverbyvane]

Amazing Video, now I want to go

[@KatherineSAndes]

Beautiful, Matt. I loved the human element you added to this film. But there weren't that many wildflowers ...

[@BlueMantleFilms]

+Katherine S. Andes Thanks, Kathy. I wasn't trying to capture the "super bloom" as the main subject of the video, but rather wanted to make a film about Death Valley while also showcasing a bit of the wildflowers.

[@davidmoss4492]

Enjoyed the video, love the place, surely some trickery with sun and stars?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I wouldn't call it trickery, just that the shots with "sun" and stars were actually filmed at night with a long exposure (usually 30 seconds) and the "sun" was actually the moon. We timed our trip to be specifically during a full moon so we could get some shots like that. The shot at 3:36 was the first night timelapse I filmed in Death Valley, filmed the first night we were there. I had looked ahead at when the "moonrise" would happen, and started the timelapse about an hour beforehand so I could get the moonrise, then over the next few nights I filmed the moonrise in a few different locations around the Park.

[@m7Vic]

Really nice job. Appropriate music compliments the beauty.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

For my more recent projects I've really been putting an emphasis on using the perfect music...some of my older projects I settled for music that was significantly cheaper to license but was only okay musically...I now spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect music, and I'm also willing to pay more for licensing to ensure I get the right track for a particular video.

[@JARHEAD-xz6xd]

WOW! Incredible talent!

[@stancanadmapleleaf]

Dude listen me: that's the best timelapse i've ever seen

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Wow! Thank you for the wonderful compliment. This, honestly, is one of my favorite videos to return to and watch because we had such good memories from the week and a half that we spent there.

[@AkinBilgic]

Really Gorgeous work!

[@iemboyshostel]

One of the best death valley video if not The Best... just a question what time of the year you webt there?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you. We were there end of February into early March in 2016, when there was a "Super Bloom", which really was the spark to convince us to go in the first place. It's the only time I've been in Death Valley, so I'm sure if I go back at another time of year it will look so barren to me.

[@mrmarkgannon]

Loved this. Great video and perfect soundtrack. Where is the waterfall?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks Mark! The waterfall is Darwin Falls -- it's only about a mile or so hike from the closest parking lot to it, so it's actually pretty easy to get to. If you're in Death Valley I recommend seeing the falls. One thing that's cool about it too is that for the most part Death Valley is very barren, but as you get closer to the falls the vegetation becomes thicker and thicker.

[@mrmarkgannon]

Blue Mantle Films Hey. Thanks for the reply. Will def add Darwin Falls to my itinerary. Me and my son are there in September as part of our West Cost Road Trip.

[@fireislandmavic5939]

fantastic

[@JohnKevinSrensen]

Videos like this inspires me. You got a thumbs up from me Matt. John-Kevin

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks! Keep an eye out for Pinnacles National Park Time Lapse. We're filming it right now...should be out in a month or two.

[@Polychronisdrone]

Great video. I also uploaded one when I was there last month. Amazing place. Greetings from the island of Crete in Greece!

[@ronaldhebert441]

Beautiful Video!

[@nhoover]

Just awesome. Thanks so much. What I don't understand is how someone could possible click Thumbs Down? Jealous? Insane?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks, Nathan. There are always going to be haters...not sure why some people dislike things, but I've gotten used to it.

[@christopherjohnv.carino6052]

Awesome

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks. It certainly is a very starkly beautiful place.

[@StereoSpace]

Gorgeous photography.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks! This particular video is one I'm really proud of, but it never really got the same level of attention as some of my drone videos. I appreciate you checking this one out!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

If you like the timelapse films, we've actually got a new one coming out soon of Pinnacles National Park, the newest/youngest National Park.

[@StereoSpace]

OK, I will. Thanks for sharing your amazing work and the amazing beauty you capture.

[@StewartHines]

I'm glad I follow y'all

[@Markinter5]

Great job!

[@treadsandtails4402]

Any chance to show us newbie amateurs how to create such a beautiful piece as this. Sort of a step by step process? Just awesome work...make me think of the word epic

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I'll admit that doing traditional timelapses, while very fun, is mostly a side-hobby within my video work. I think there are others who do it full-time who would be better suited to do a step-by-step process. That said, I will add to my notes of "possible KZbin videos" a timelapse tutorial, and if I am able to do it, I will.

[@TAPPChannel]

great video.. I like those timelapses

[@hzetahzeta6366]

Hats off to you

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thank you.

[@jefflausanne6653]

trop beau

[@vChenay]

awesome!!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@SpaceCaptainDR]

This will have 1,000,000 views in no time.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

+David Rohrer Thanks! I hope so...not sure how to give it more traction...so far the views are coming in slowly.

[@freestatefilms6174]

just A quick question what editing software do you use. I am looking for a good software to edit cinematic videos very similar to the ones that you make. I also cannot afford 800-1000 dollar software. Thank you for your help.

[@davidmoss4492]

The Moon! Would you believe it? Of course it's obvious when you know. Thanks for that

[@NewtonHoang]

How did you manage flying your drone in the park?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

No drone shots in this video, just timelapse and traditional b-roll. I'd love to do some drone stuff in National Parks, but until they make a permitting process of some sort, I'm grounded. :-(

[@justmedee1959]

What's the green thing in the sky @ 4:17?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

If we're talking about the same thing (upper, slightly left side of the image moving right) that's a lens flair from the moon.

[@justmedee1959]

Thank you