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1. A Day in California

6 months ago

A Day in California is comprised of 10,000+ individual photographs, taken on beginner Canon equipment. It is the result of a year and a half of travel around Southern California to capture some of the wonderful and unique locations that this great state has to offer. To learn more about the story behind A Day in California, check out my Huffington Post interview: huff.to/qdnc4O

This video has been featured on CBS, NBC, Gizmodo, CNET, LAist, and many others. It is a Vimeo Staff Favorite, and received recognition by being #1 on Facebook, Google+, and Reddit.

Thank you to everyone for the amazing emails and response. When I set out on this project, I never intended to show it to the public. You have made me so glad that I did!

To have a video made or licensing opportunities, send me an email.

Email: ryan.killackey@me.com

Twitter: twitter.com/RyanKillackey

Music by Cinematic Orchestra (Song: Arrival of the Birds): amzn.to/A9NJxw

Credits

4,952 Likes

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Tags

gary livingston 6 months ago

This is so well done and beautiful. =)

What were the settings for the photos taken far away? Such as the scene of the train.

I really hope others see what you've done with a "beginner" camera/kit and realize just how much potential they have at their finger tips.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Hey Gary thanks for the comments! I used my 50-250mm lens at full zoom for the trains. If I remember correctly, it was around f/5.0 ISO 200 1/320. I DO, however, remember it being a long hike with super gusty winds. Those scenes are still a bit shaky, even after smoothing them out a bit.

Hopefully someday I can afford a full frame! But yes, amazing things can still be done with beginner equipment.
Tom Lowe 6 months ago

This video really won me over, Ryan. Great job.
Rene BERNHARD 6 months ago

I am speechless. This is so awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

It is truly awesome to hear such kind words. Thank you so much.
Colter Wilson 6 months ago

This Video is awesome one of the best tilt shift vides I have ever seen. Thank You for this.
Steve Burke 6 months ago

This is amazing. I just sent the video to a couple other friends (I know Reddit will keep you busy to begin with!).

The ending shots are an amazing representation of the celestial sphere and earth's spin in space. The angle of the camera and the amount of stars you could see make it incredible.

Out of curiosity, did you use photoshop or touch-up tools for any of this? Was it all raw?
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Hey Steve, thank you for your comments!

Unfortunately, I could not shoot RAW with this camera. The Rebel XS is lucky to do 1 RAW ever 1-2 seconds, so I had to shoot a lot of scenes on medium quality JPEG. The tilt-shift sequences were edited in After Effects, but were shot from high points on purpose.
Colter Wilson 6 months ago

What were the settings for the sky at the end and how far from light pollution were you?
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Hi Colter! I drove out into the desert (near Joshua Tree) for the shot to get away from all of the light. My settings were roughly f/1.4 15 seconds ISO 800 using my 50mm fixed lens.
Zack Williamson 6 months ago

was the tilt shift done in post or in camera? either way, very cool. great piece
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Hey Zack! It was done in After Effects. When I started the project, I shot nearly 10,000 shots using my LensBaby tilt-shift lens, but didn't like the effect so much. So, I scrapped everything and started over. I hope to someday purchase a real tilt shift lens!
Paul Kroeker 6 months ago

Just keep faking it! Everybody likes the look of the fake Tilt shift more...
Zachary Cohen 6 months ago

I like the tilt-shift effect!
3gShutterbug 6 months ago

This is wonderful love the music its a perfect fit. What is the song would love to have it on my iPod!
gary livingston 6 months ago

haha, watch the video to the end. Duh.
Barney Couch 6 months ago

Arrival of the Birds - Cinematic Orchestra.
Paul Kroeker 6 months ago

Busted!!!! LOL
3gShutterbug 6 months ago

lol I watched the whole thing just stopped before 2:25 but thanks lol
Sami Khan 6 months ago

great work. it looks really wonderful. i love those train shots - it's pretty impressive that you didn't use a TS for this. and im doubly impressed by your determination to make this over again.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thanks Sami! Coming from you, this means a lot.
Sami Khan 6 months ago

no problem! thank you for making an awesome video!
Bomster 6 months ago

Absolutely brilliant. The tilt shift worked so well. Congrats.
slow fox 6 months ago

Fantastic video - wonderful work, really good use of tilt shift!
Rambo 6 months ago

beautiful. thanks :)
eugene francis jnr 6 months ago

so splendid man - wonderfully executed x
Paul Arzoian 6 months ago

Was the beach part the Wedge in Newport?
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

It was! Good eye!
trike 6 months ago

Worth the effort beyond a doubt. Okay, now top it. ;)
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

I shall try! Thank you
Michael Kusaba 6 months ago

So you did not use a real tilt shift lens?
it was done in after effects?
Adrian Særsten 6 months ago

Sweet!
Ali Lee Gh 6 months ago

a lot of people study at college and learn more about videos... Some just have talents and it's in them... I somehow Am one of those groups who has no talents and you My friend just made me Really jealous... WoooooW... this is Was AWEOSOMEEE... can you share some tips about how you took these ?! And the last Part when the night sky is Moving !?! was that an effect or was it something you did to camera...This video was Amazing ...
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Hi Ali! To be honest, I can guarantee you have more talent than I. You will be making superior films in no time.

For the night sky shot... you need a tripod, and a weight to hold it steady. Your camera should be on full manual mode (including focus), shooting at the most open aperture possible, with shutter speeds greater than 5 seconds, at a high ISO. I used 800, because 1600 is just too grainy on my XS. Also, you should go to a location that is far away from cities and light pollution. Shots should be around 30 seconds apart or so. Use a handheld trigger, don't press the shutter button on the camera... or else you'll get minor movements that will be noticeable. Hope this helps!
Ali Lee Gh 6 months ago

You Sir ARE AWESOMEEEE.. thanks A lot for the tip man... Will subscribe to your channel for more awesome video.:)
anthony vuong 6 months ago

Brilliant. good work
Todd Mick 6 months ago

Amazing camera work and awesome views. Are you trying to get me to move to California? Because this video has me thinking about it.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

I think if you saw the footage that didn't make it into this film, you'd be sold! Haha. Thanks for the comment!
The Film Artist 6 months ago

Nice :) Added to the Slowmotion and Timelapse Theatre Channel
Wesley van Beuzekom 6 months ago

I, too, have a Rebel XS and I have been wanting to do something like this for a while. I just need to but a shutter release. What kind of trigger did you use and at what intervals, specifically in the shots with people?
S J B 6 months ago

Awesome- love the mix of tilt shift and straight; and the different environments. Fabulous work.
Eugene Akiwumi 6 months ago

Nice work.
michael goldfein 6 months ago

Way to go Ryan! You have created a true opus. Fantastic.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thank you Michael! By the way, your portrait rocks
Baily Douglass 6 months ago

its... its beautiful
Alex 6 months ago

This is amazing, very well done!
William Hook 6 months ago

Very nice! Have an upvote on Reddit and a Like on here. =D
David Coe 6 months ago

This is so so good! Well done! How did you manage the time lapse? What equipment did you use?

Looking forward to seeing more stuff from you, hopefully not in 2 years time though :)
Joe Rowley 6 months ago

Amazing! This is so so so so so so so so so so so so gooooood! I'm moving to California in less than a month. If I ever create video half as balanced and nice as this I will be very satisfied.
Joe
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thank you! I'm sure that you will be very happy with the beautiful places in California
Joe Rowley 6 months ago

Yes, Santa Cruz is about to rock my socks. :)
John C. Brookins 6 months ago

Very nice. Was that Hidden Falls?
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thank you! It's called Sturtevant Falls, located near Chantry Flats.
Ryan Kennedy 6 months ago

This is beautiful work and I just wanted to thank you for sharing this.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thank you Ryan!
Taylor James 6 months ago

This is fantastic work, really well composed and a very elegant score. Congratulations to the pair of you.
steve proffitt 6 months ago

Sometimes, when I get really fed up with traffic or something else about LA, I will try to remember to watch this again. Congrats.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Awesome! Thanks!
Madhouse Muse 6 months ago

Terrific opener! What a beautiful shot of the sun rising over Zabriske Point.
3oFmq2s8FcQ2 6 months ago

Beautiful! I have the same camera & lenses and am inspired to go out and shoot!
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thanks! And do it! Take full advantage of your cropped sensor.
Trevor Smith 6 months ago

pretty great faux tilt shift! I didn't notice
makes me love CA even more
Mike McCune 6 months ago

I just returned from a 4 day vacation in California and you made me even more sad that I had to leave. Fantastic work, shows you can create stunning videos with consumer level SLR equipment (I have all the same lenses as you do).
Isolder 6 months ago

Great video. Never been to California. So, dvd, full download, somewhere? :-)
Gantt Edmiston 6 months ago

Loved it!
alex 6 months ago

meh
Kevin Sweeney 6 months ago

Wonderfully composed! I kind of wanted it to stay on the 2nd to last shot (the neon letters) a bit longer and end on it all together.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thanks Kevin! I was thinking about ending it on that shot, but given the slow and depressing nature of the last few moments of the song, I figured it would be good to end on a more dark scene.
Paul Kroeker 6 months ago

You have made something awesome with a modest camera and some low end lenses! That is a GREAT job! Make do with whatchya got!
Jeff Pope 6 months ago

WOW...just WOW.
I loved the tilt-shift.
I liked a lot of it, but for some reason, :36 just stands out as really cool.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thanks Jeff! :36 is certainly one of my favorite shots. It was done at Puddingstone Lake, near Raging Waters. It was SO terribly hot and awful that day, but it was worth it in the end.
Omid Moraveji 6 months ago

this is seriously amazing!
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thank you Omid!
mr. the toad 6 months ago

This was moving to me. I am a Southern California native, and this made me feel lucky to be living here. You've taken what is usually mundane and made it truly beautiful. Thank you :)
Mike & Emily 6 months ago

Ditto!
courtney 6 months ago

Really beautiful — I've shared with my California friends. What wonderful work. I especially loved the train footage and treatment of the film.
Joe Barr 6 months ago

Beautiful... Thank you.
Rachael Schroeder 6 months ago

I love that you used a Cannon Rebel XS. It gives me a great desire to make something just as unique with my XS.

Fantastic job!
Mike & Emily 6 months ago

Same here! Wow!
Warren Lane Pictures 6 months ago

Amazing!

The boats and trains look like toys, like miniatures. Very surreal, I love it.

Also reminds me of one of my all time favorite films, Koyaanisqatsi.

Look forward to seeing more of your work.

Keep em coming!
Kenneth Lee 6 months ago

This is some really inspiring stuff. I purchased my very first Rebel yesterday. Boy does this make me excited for it to arrive.
Mike Mytnick 6 months ago

So awesome. I loved every second of it.
John (A Camera in Japan) 6 months ago

Really awesome video. Nice job.
Durwood Music 6 months ago

BEAUTIFUL!! That last frame was breathtaking. The music was so gorgeous as well. Thank you for sharing!
chris 6 months ago

The California tourism Commission should buy this from you, awesome work.
Dustin Treinen 6 months ago

i completely agree
Philip Campbell 6 months ago

second that.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thank you guys, I don't even know how to show my gratitude for this. AND, I wouldn't know how to get this video to the tourism commission, either.
Dustin Treinen 6 months ago

absolutely beautiful. great job. i love the night sky at the end
James taylor 6 months ago

Beautiful. My wife and I watched it twice, then went outside, listened to the waves and watched the stars not far from your wedge sequence. Thanks for that.
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Hi James! I'm a bit envious of where you live! :) But I bet you and your wife deserve every single moment that you spend at your home. Thank you so much for your comment.

(And, have a slice of pizza at Original Pizza for me! It's where I took Sheri on our first date...but we don't get out there as much as we should)
Philip Campbell 6 months ago

stunning. lovely music selection.
C Frey 6 months ago

So beautiful, made me so homesick! Thanks for the work you and your wife put into this, and for sharing it with us. Perfect choice of music too.
Scott Robertson 6 months ago

Absolutely beautiful work.
StuFF mc 6 months ago

Amazing. I would really love to have a picture of the last scene, with the Sky and the tree. This would make an amazing Desktop Background on my Mac.
storyful 6 months ago

Love it! We made it today's curator's choice

storyful.com/stories/1000006180
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

I'm absolutely honored. Thank you so much!

Ryan
Roman Osokin 6 months ago

Nice work!
Chris "Big Squid" Driver 6 months ago

Fantastic! This shows a love for the camera and determination to make it work, regardless of the type of equipment you have. 5 stars!
Ryan Killackey 6 months ago

Thanks Big Squid. At times I felt so small, shooting photos next to people at Disneyland with nicer equipment. But, I dealt with what I had, and my little XS came through for me. Thanks for the comment!