Timelapse at Aptos Creek with Kevin Painchaud

Pulitzer Prize Winner Kevin Painchaud Uses Platypod Delta for Timelapse at Aptos Creek

When a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist chooses a piece of gear, it’s worth paying attention.

In this short but powerful video, Kevin Painchaud heads into the lush, fast-moving world of Aptos Creek to create long exposure imagery of flowing water and textured details. His tool of choice for stability in a tight, slippery environment? The Platypod Delta.

This is real-world photography, no studio tricks, no oversized support systems, just smart gear doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Low Profile, Rock Solid, Zero Fuss

Water features are notoriously tricky. Uneven rocks, shallow streams, awkward angles, and constantly changing flow all work against traditional tripods. This is where Platypod shines.

Kevin uses the Platypod Delta to get his camera right down into the scene, placing it securely on rocks and uneven surfaces while keeping a minimal footprint. The result is a stable platform that lets the water move freely through the frame while the camera stays absolutely locked.

Timelapse demands consistency. Even the slightest shift between frames can ruin a sequence. Platypod’s low center of gravity and rigid design make it ideal for this kind of work, especially when shooting close to moving water.

One Location, Multiple Lenses, Endless Possibilities

What really stands out in this video is how Kevin works the scene.

Using various lenses, he explores different perspectives of the same environment, tight details of water patterns, wider context shots of the creek, and intimate compositions that pull you right into the flow. The Platypod Delta makes these transitions fast and effortless, no leg adjustments, no fighting gravity, just reposition and shoot.

This is a classic photojournalist mindset applied to nature, observe, adapt, and respond to what the scene gives you.

Why Platypod Works for Timelapse Photography

Timelapse photography is unforgiving. Stability is everything, and speed matters when the light or conditions are changing.

Platypod Delta delivers:

• A compact, packable platform for remote locations

• Rock-solid stability on uneven terrain

• Fast setup when moments are fleeting

• Creative freedom at ground level and beyond

For photographers working in rivers, forests, urban spaces, or anywhere tripods become awkward or intrusive, this setup is a game changer.

Learn From the Pros, Then Go Shoot

Kevin Painchaud’s work is a reminder that great photography is about seeing, not hauling more gear than you need. Platypod fits seamlessly into a professional workflow, whether you’re chasing breaking news, documenting the natural world, or crafting cinematic timelapse sequences.

Watch the video, study how he works the scene, then grab your own Platypod and head somewhere interesting. Creeks, coastlines, streets, staircases, it all works.

Small tool. Big ideas. That’s the Platypod way.

Now excuse me while I feel personally challenged to go find some flowing water and make questionable life choices involving slow shutter speeds.