After a full year of hiking and driving, a local Canberra photographer has captured aseven-minute hyperlapse that showcases Canberra across its different seasons and festivals.

Last year, Dave Fanner used a 360-degree camera and a drone to film the entire walking route of Canberra’s Centenary Trail — 145 kilometres in total — taking in the Floriade flower festival in spring, the cricket at Manuka Oval in summer, and the spectacular Balloon Spectacular in autumn.

Dave Fanner out on the trail

Image: screenshot

A born-and-bred local with a multimedia background at The Guardian Australia, he had previously made a similar fast-paced video between Bondi and Manly in NSW, and later another in the Grampians in Victoria.

“I knew the style this kind of video suits, and Canberra has the perfect setting — beautifully crafted architecture set against stunning natural scenery. It couldn’t be more fitting,” he said.

“It’s far more than just a place where politicians work.”

He had pitched the idea to Visit Canberra, the ACT Government’s tourism arm, hoping to show off “Canberra’s breathtaking beauty”. He said that once they understood his concept, they gave it the green light.

“The journey begins at Parliament House and ends in the basket of a hot-air balloon,” Dave said.

Video: Dave Fanner

“For continuity,” he wore the same yellow hat throughout and chose jackets in similar colours to match the weather on the day.

Along the way he can also be seen riding a mountain bike and a purple Beam e-scooter, with the final hot-air balloon ride bringing the journey to its climax.

“I always have a backup plan for every shoot, but this time the backup plan was a bit dodgy,” he said.

“For the final balloon ride I didn’t even have a spot — I had to rely on the pilot to shuffle things around and make a bit of room for me. In the end it all worked out, and I was able to film exactly the way I wanted to.”

Filming with a 360-degree camera produces something akin to Google Maps Street View. The camera was either held in hand, mounted on his hat, or attached to a drone. The rest of the video was pieced together through skilful editing and artificial intelligence.

“Although I’m not the most technically gifted, I do keep a close eye on new technology,” Dave said.

“The most enjoyable part is the filming — hiking out in nature. I also love editing, and I’ll often work at it hour after hour. Every hour of footage from a hike might take five or six hours to edit.”

He said anyone who watches the full video comes away feeling “proud” of Canberra — though he is also braced for some criticism.

“Everyone is really blown away by it,” he said.

“But there may be some pushback too, because I’ve run into it before — people might say, ‘This goes against nature as it’s meant to be.’ I know one of the great drawcards of the outdoors is the peace and the sense of being far from it all. But I believe the two can coexist.”

Over the past six months Dave’s filming and editing skills have come a long way, and he is already looking forward to his next project.

“For instance, I’d love to head to Tasmania — it’s another fantastic spot for the outdoors — or use a micro camera to blend some indoor and outdoor footage. I want to keep honing my craft.”

Four Seasons: A Hyperlapse of Canberra’s Centenary Trail can be watched on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94YD-Z2xPqk&feature=youtu.be

*This article was originally published by Region:

https://regionmedia.com.cn/videographer-takes-whole-year-to-create-hyperlapse-of-canberras-centenary-trail/32673/

Reporter | James Coleman

Compiled / edited by | Laura