The first day’s program continued with the Frameless Frenzy Forum where no less engaging ideas were expressed. Michael Schomann, a planetarian and skillful photographer currently working at the Wolfsburg Planetarium gave his take on how to bring 360 degree slow and fast motion into the dome. Posting dozens of high-res photos after each Fulldome Festival, Michael knows firsthand what it takes to make a good shot, and, most crucially, to adapt a picture for the fulldome format. With time-lapse technique gaining more popularity in professional community, a need arises to make the images smoother, so that audience can relax and sit back enjoying stunning visuals. Michael Schomann demonstrated a number of time lapse sequences that he shot in different locations and different weather conditions. He said, "the secret of a great time lapse presentation is the speed between various shots." In this case, the speed determines how clouds and their movements across the sky would look in the dome.

LA PALMA startrailer from Michael Schomann on Vimeo.

The speed is crucial for making a perfect time-lapse, but the proper use of filters is no less important. These tools allow a photographer to increase exposure times and, as a result, make a sequence softer. Here we were shown stunning 4K real-time images of polar lights and auroras; the visuals had a jaw-dropping effect on the audience. Drawing a sort of conclusion, Michael Schomann reminds us that "There is always a nice way to make things slow, but how you do it depends on what you're shooting. So be creative and don’t be afraid to slow down a little."