How to Capture Minimalist Cityscape Photography & Timelapse's

[@danapatterson4076]

I love the long exposure image, because it’s a way to see the city that the naked eye can’t capture. Your timelapses are exquisite!

[@BelaAcs-m6r]

I'm 73 and have been photographing for over 50 years and did judging some competitions back in the 90-is. I've seen millions of good images, but yours still inspires me, no matter what topic. Sometimes I compare your images with the big shots on SM and your images always "taste" a little bit better. "I'm just a jealous guy" of your vision!

[@1958zed]

11:32 Someone's a little homesick: "The next day I visited Golden Gate Park in the rain..." 😂 Great images and videos, as always.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Ah damn, maybe sipping whiskey and making the voice over was a bad call! 😂 thanks so much!

[@DamienCulley]

That “painting” of the windows is very cool

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much!

[@ratgirl13]

Your photos are like a love letter to New York City, and your time lapse like a jazz riff! 💙.

[@diannerobbins3498]

Seeing New York City from a different perspective was refreshing; I particularly loved the images of the Freedom Tower.

[@msingrey14]

You are so incredibly talented, Michael. Whenever you put out a new video i can't click on it fast enough. Once again, your vision and creativity is, in my mind, unmatched by no one. Thanks again for the vlog and for your continued inspiration.

[@glennkaufman7228]

and this is why you are one of the more creative photographers out there. You have a great eye, Michael.

[@amaitra]

The brooklytn bridge timelapse is the greatest ever! Absolutely fabulous!

[@aaohknsn]

This is so much cooler then your typical NY photography. So original, so inspiring. Love the abstracts, especially the ones with the buildings mixed with some trees. But for the skyline one I still prefer the fast shutter speed.

[@unknownspot1306]

These timelapses are my absolute favourite, so amazing

[@LippiVan]

You are an amazingly talented photographer, great pictures! I prefer the picture with the faster shutterspeed and the clear cloud on top!

[@wowtimelapse1337]

Banger timelapses with some incredible and unique stills! Inspiring as always. WOWWW!

[@randyschwager84]

Fun to watch! Great images! Thanks for taking me along!

[@michaelj.1121]

Last two images of the skyline: both superb - the long exposure is my personal favorite

[@oli177]

nice images! i love the abstract architecture but also the mood you were able to capture. my favorite is definitely the cityscape in rain with mist in background. that is awesome. of the two skyline-images i think i prefer the short exposure - but to me this really calls for black and white, as it would emphasize the "big cloud vs. small buildings" theme.

[@taraelizabethlivinglife4094]

You are so creative. I love how you see art all around you. Beautiful shots!

[@AadidevSooknananNXS]

That shot at 14:51 is sooooo niceee!

[@rupertmartin3784]

I prefer the realistic photograph of the skyline with the perfectly shaped and placed cloud. Great video with so much variety of vision and technique. Thanks.

[@darrenleigh201]

The minimalist long exposure is fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

[@davidhewett1484]

Lens skirt, I KNEW there had to be something out there like that. I got some really cool shots of the San Antonio, Texas skyline last spring but I had to shoot through the glass and some of my shots were pretty poor due to the reflections. I’ve got a skirt in my B&H cart now. Thanks for mentioning that. Wonderful shots in the big city.

[@raymonddowning3500]

love the long exposure of the skyline, how about giving a blog on how you set up your time lapse and your processing of your city lights

[@raor1979]

Thanks, really appreciate the info and inspiration!!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Wow, thanks so much for the tip! Really glad you enjoyed the video!

[@garethmonjones6829]

Really enjoyed this one pal , that fast shutter image at night with the fog is a real show stopper, bravo 👌💪

[@wishingluck]

I never felt like visiting NYC, but your photography will probabaly change my mind!

[@tg1600]

so many great photos but my favorite is the tree photo in central park 12:16

[@jalenobanphotography]

You’re a huge inspiration for me. Beautiful images as always!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! :)

[@gary.kenyon]

A great watch as always and fantastic photos.

[@mmeyers76]

This came out awesome man! Loved the minimalist oculus shots. Great seeing you brother!

[@erikbarsingerhorn4485]

@14:58 I like the realistic look of the scene. Great shots.👍👍

[@ŠtěpánRataj]

Awesome images, really like your street photography... that wider rainy shot from from Manhattan bridge is so cool

[@oliversteiner0815]

I think the (not blurred) cloud really is the star. It looks so powerful and makes the city look minute and vulnerable. At least to me. 😁And it's so scenic..

[@ThomasClemens]

Awesome images and timelapses!

[@richardpesce5325]

The realistic shot is my favorite.

[@rosssayer6524]

Definitely like the long exposure of the city scape, clouds and water

[@BillStaples-i8d]

You are so creative! I thought your Death Valley photos were my favorite but a few of the photos in this video now match my favorites from that one! You have a terrific eye and loved seeing New York from your perspective

[@andycakebread7663]

Excellent viewing Michael. And re the question about the skyline - the big cloud for sure for me.... And in B&W!! Thanks for your insights though 🍻

[@lu8cho]

Amazing stuff Michael!

[@mikkiscott9995]

Awesome video! Gave me some ideas. That time lapse of the city was amazing!

[@AliasJimWirth]

You did get some really good images in New York. I enjoyed your commentary on thoughts and challenges. Thanks for sharing another fine video excursion.

[@mozzamhosein6476]

There’s so much photography in NYC. Thanks for an awesome video.

[@trevorsneath4665]

Just saw the webinar and bought the Cityscape tutorial. It was an interest hours talk Michael. Cheers.

[@chrismassa5891]

Wonderful wondering. just beautiful

[@SetrisTV]

This is so damn impressive. I love your abstract architecture work! I'm going to look if you've ever done Chicago. 🤞

[@SetrisTV]

No Chicago 😪Please come some time!

[@ivanosrin2126]

Great shots - enjoyed very much !

[@kaosimagery]

Nice work as always, Michael. Five years ago, I stayed at the Hyatt on the water in Jersey City for a couple of days. It rained a lot but I was able to capture some neat shots of the financial district skyline with fog shrouding the tops of the buildings. My room was on the river side and I shot some nice nightscapes of lower Manhattan and midtown through the windows using a lens skirt. I like the idea of the abstract images, will have to try that next time I get to NYC.

[@MichaelShainblum]

That sounds awesome! I need to do something like that next time. It would be really cool to just set up a long term Timelapse for 24+ hours of the skyline.

[@didriketholm6852]

Absolutely amazing.

[@geoffscott5066]

nice work Michael...I dont always like long exposures however I am loving the 10 stop image from NJ. Gr8 vid.

[@juanitakelly3082]

Very creative, Michael. For your comparison question this week I'll pick the minimalistic version. Like you, I have studied the definitions of minimalistic photography and also like you, my opinion is more broad and less 'minimal' (ha ha) than a few of the commenters it seems. Fine art is in the eye of the beholder anyway isn't it and doesn't really need labels. Super variety of city shots here! It gave me some new ideas of things to try. Thanks!

[@DR-fy7qy]

Inspiring! You have the innate photographic talent to make even the most mundane subject look amazing. Keep up the great work.

[@bethcarney5274]

Minimalist one is fantastic.

[@mikiethebikie]

Damn nice work Michael.

[@jessicaeiss2541]

Very cool. I enjoyed your NYC night photography.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@billpanuska5775]

An enjoyable video of your NYC visit. I LOVED the mix of woodland and architecture! Very inspiring. As for the view from NJ, I’ll go with the minimalist view. As always, thanks for your outstanding videos.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much Bill, so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@LeeAllen337]

Amazing as always. Such great shots.

[@krosewx34]

Your best NYC video so far! I really enjoyed how you made my hometown sparkle! I miss it. I prefer the more realistic photo with the puffy cloud ❤

[@chirsd666]

Incredible shots - thanks! I preferred the long exposure of the skyline from NJ.

[@michellediggins1175]

Loved the video Some really creative ideas . Thanks for sharing 👌🏼

[@womenhealers]

Another great video, Michael! Those reflection images are off the charts. Oh, and I like the ND10 filter image better.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you, really glad you enjoyed those reflection shots!

[@galixie231]

11:22 and 13:00 Micheal, I need these pics as wallpaper !! 🤩 and also the edit process of them

[@adventure_photo]

Your artistic eye never fails! Nice body of images you captured along with some cool time lapses. That first time lapse at 2:22 was amazing with the movement, was this with a slider or did you physically move the tripod between exposures?

[@kristapple]

I hope Sony repalced your A1 and cracked back screen, with a nice new A1ii, you deserve it. Your photos and timelapses are superb as always.

[@LonelySpeck]

Shainblum sending it as usual. ❤

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thanks so much! Its been way too long, we should go shoot sometime!

[@barneysaunders6278]

Loved the Oculus shot, such a great video … thank you

[@MichaelShainblum]

Hey, thank you so much!

[@kurlysoul]

Omg this is the first time I get to tune in so early! Looking forward to the video 👏🏾 love your work

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much! :)

[@kreygscott]

Much luv man. Just got the IG message and rushed over here. Well done. Vastly entertaining and informative as usual.

[@MichaelShainblum]

I really appreciate you checking it out! :)

[@sebastrianw.4673]

Super nice work bro. I really enjoyed the video. I just subscribed.

[@johnrouterer9038]

Brilliant, loved it, you are so talented.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Thank you so much!

[@xkr2]

I live in nyc and I often go out n take sunset long exposures of the skyline l. I’m definitely gonna try some of the building minimalist compositions next time! And the time lapses :)

[@midlifecrisis920]

Stunning images!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Many thanks!

[@stan2990]

Merci beaucoup pour la traduction vocale en français 🙏 Vidéo au top 👌 je m’abonne 😉

[@丝麻锦屏]

15:34 It reminds me a movie Once Upon A Time In America 😂

[@sevemiller]

Another great video, Michael. I live close to NYC and often struggle to come up with creative compositions aside from the typical street photography shots that NY lends itself so well to. Your abstract image at the 2:34 mark is one of the best NYC architecture/abstract shots I’ve seen. Incredibly well seen and executed (the shots just prior of the black/gold glass reflections are also quite nice). I assume you were looking up for these shots. Even if you were only shooting up a few floors, how were you able to get the shots without seeing massive keystoning? If you corrected for the keystone effect, I would have expected to see elongated windows which don’t seem to be in your images. Thanks!

[@jeffpotter7958]

I liked the shorter exposure on of the lower Manhattan skyline only because of that large cloud. Otherwise I'd normally go with the long exposure.

[@chod54]

I do much prefer the long exposure image of the skyline. I will try your ideas when I am next in London UK, Thanks for a great video.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Hey, thanks, I bet you’ll get some great stuff in London. That seems like a fantastic city for architectural and abstract photography.

[@chod54]

@MichaelShainblum yep, I am always drawn to London, so much to do there photography wise.

[@biking-places]

really nice shots. where is that high up overlook you found that looks down at the bridges?

[@AlvinBalsomi]

Merci infiniment 😉

[@wednesdaythroughthelens830]

Still the boss of time lapses

[@MichaelShainblum]

You are very kind, thanks so much!

[@JorgeHernandez-u8u]

Gracias por la traducción en español ❤😊

[@Erkko69-q3e]

Nice.

[@Kazoom28]

Realistic looks better because the opportunity to capture those clouds on top is infrequent, whereas surrealistic can be done as long as there is cloud movement.

[@rpbns]

Great stuff. What observation deck let you use a tripod?

[@raor1979]

I started to watch your videos, thanks for the quality and inspiration. You don't have any issues walking around with camera gear ?

[@mohamedyazidbitam]

the best is the one with the 10 stops nd

[@TheOnlyGuess]

It's always fun to watch your videos. I really like your style. I'm not a professional photographer, though I really like to have a Sony a7. Unfortunately it's very expensive as well as the lenses. I have had the Sony Nex6 for the past 7 years and I really enjoyed using it for almost every photography genre bug mostly landscape. What is it like to use a Sony a7 cameras? 😁

[@ANNA-MAY]

Traduction française automatique ❤

[@JJ777S]

your color grading are always on point, can you give us a inside look on how you do it?

[@MichaelShainblum]

Hey thanks so much! You mean for the video footage?

[@JJ777S]

@@MichaelShainblum I’m very much interested in both! Its so easy to go overboard with popping colors to draw the viewer in, but you managed to mesmerize me with freaking close up textures and they are just as powerful as one of your landscape or skyline photos!

[@mikaelrasmussen9917]

I like the one taken with the ND filter. Do you recall with what focal length it was taken

[@sonaippa]

Your time-lapses are a nice shout out to Koyaanisqatsi!

[@Stop-All-War]

Michael, which travel tripod you use?

[@aaz148a]

The window reflections and the tree branches "veils" are out of this world !

[@mikelamarco7424]

Hey Michael where did you take that time lapse with the hight vantage point from?

[@niterunner9979]

👏👏👏

[@Walterkume]

Chasing my dreams in Nigeria! I'm working to start my own photography business and I'm in need of financial support to get started.

[@richardmitchell2257]

I’m curious as to what happen to your back screen on your camera !!! It looks like it’s cracked .

[@kevinnyun2436]

You mean Central Park? Haha you are missing SF :P

[@MichaelShainblum]

😂

[@georgeandros7916]

Golden Gate Park?

[@MichaelShainblum]

Of course, the famous Golden Gate Park in New York City, you know the one! 😂

[@alispective]

nice comment

[@jamesv.wilkerson30]

Why are all the landscape photographers pushing minimalism? Mark Denning, Mads Iversen, Nigel Danson, Roman Fox, James Popsys, and on and on... We seem hung up in a theme for the past 5 years. Yes, minimal photos serve a purpose, but let's not limit our creativity.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Ironically, this entire videos purpose is about not limiting one’s creativity. If you watch the video, you will see a ton of different techniques applied not just minimalism.

[@gashead2]

You are such an adaptable photographer you make any subject look great, as for the last comment if you don’t like, don’t watch.

[@mikelamarco7424]

Shoot what you want... enough said

[@designjacob1988]

Interesting view, what makes shooting minimalism limit creativity? Surely shooting minimalism requires more creativity to get interesting shots as it relies less on subject matter and story telling?

[@user-qk6ee3zz4r]

Anybody telling me that minimalism limits creativity is creatively limited themselves!

[@jondevaney6860]

Good photos, but I didn't see anything I would label as minimalist except the white linear architectural images at 8:00. Minimalist needs to be "not busy" in compositional elements, with simplicity. Some think that busy (complex) semi-abstract shots are minimalist if only one colour is used, but one colour doesn't make things more minimal. I've spent a half century doing photography and reading art history books (including discussions of minimalist works). As you were in NYC, you could have gone to art museums to see some famous examples of abstract minimalist paintings, which could then inform your photographic process. And people don't get to use a word like minimalist however they want - if we don't have agreement on terms, language becomes vague, deceptive, and even useless.

[@MichaelShainblum]

Many of the images within this video still fall within the definition of minimalism. In my opinion, you are using the definition way too stringently. This comes from someone who has also studied art history and photographed for many years. If you refresh your memory on the history of the minimalism art movement. You will find many famous art pieces that resemble some of my photographs in the video, which were done by no accident. If you disagree, that's fine, but remember you are stating an opinion here, not fact. Of course, the night shots, timelapses, and wide angles aren't minimalist. But I never claimed every photo in the video was. You seem to have a particular example of what you deem to fit the definition. But claiming this is deceptive because it doesn't fit your thin margin does not seem fair.

[@cherylnetti7268]

Wow, these are fabulous images! 🎉