Monsoon II (4K)

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Blu-Ray Disc available here: www.mikeolbinski.com/shop/
Song by Kerry Muzzy: "Palladio Rebuilt" (on iTunes: bit.ly/pall_MO)
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I've been chasing the monsoon in Arizona for about 6-7 years now. This summer was different though. Back in late July, I was wondering why it felt like I was out chasing more than ever before. And then I remembered. I had a job last summer. This year I didn't. I went full-time photography in November of 2014 and haven't looked back.
I was free to roam and had virtually no limitations. I even had multiple chases where I never actually wend to bed, but instead chased all night. I took the kids to New Mexico at one point early in the season.
Last year I counted roughly 31 total days that I chased a storm during the monsoon. This summer: 48. Yikes.
17,000 miles driven, which was about 3,000 more than last year. Perhaps the biggest difference this year was shooting nearly 60,000 more time-lapse frames than I did in 2014. 105,000 total. And what sticks out to me even more than any of the other numbers above, is that only 55,000 of those 105,000 frames made it into Monsoon II.
What that means is I was able to stuff this new film with only of the best of the best. We missed out on some of the huge dust storms like I've captured in years past, but overall, I think this represents some of the best weather I've ever photographed in Arizona. There are stunning shelf clouds, gorgeous rain shafts, lots of blowing dust, tons of lightning, and even multiple mini-supercells/mesocyclones. The brief meso over Cottonwood at the 3:38 mark is one of my all-time favorites.
I can't talk much more about the film without addressing the music real quick. The song is called Palladio (Rebuilt) and it's once again by the amazing Kerry Muzzey who donated it to me for Monsoon II. He also let me use another song of his for my previous film, The Chase and I'm beyond grateful for his generosity. I mean, how do you thank someone enough for that? Click here to find the song on iTunes and please support his work! I've said it a million times...the music is at least 50% of these movies I make. Kerry's art helps bring my films to life. Thank you my friend!
When I'm out there capturing footage for these films, I'm constantly thinking about the story I want to tell. For example, I wanted a lot of erupting, towering cumulus at the beginning to launch into the meatier clips. I started laying out the film back in mid-August. Certain clips I already knew would be in certain places in relation to the ups and downs of the song itself. As the season wore on, I gathered more and more clips and began to lay out the entire film. I'd remove clips when I got something better. There was exhausting editing, re-editing, looping music, reluctantly dropping clips that didn't work or were unfixable and watching it over, and over and over, to make sure I was telling the story I wanted to tell.
At one point, about halfway through...I was telling Jina that I have a lot of great stuff, but still haven't shot the final scene yet. I had no idea what it would be, but I knew I didn't have it. And then that very night (or maybe the next day)...I was out west of Tonopah and I knew on the way home that the monsoon had finally delivered my ending.
That is what is so amazing about doing this. You hit the road with zero idea about what you're going to see over the course of a summer. You might imagine scenarios or have ideas, but they get blown out of the water by reality. And that's what I love about it.
My hope is that you can see and feel that love in this film. The beauty of the monsoon in Arizona. This is where I'm from and this is home.
More here: www.mikeolbinski.com/theblog/2...
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Technical Details:
Captured with Canon 5D3's, a 5D2, Canon 16-35mm, Rokinon 14, 24, 35 and 85mm.
Processed using Lightroom, LR Timelapse, After Effects and Premiere Pro

[@jasonhall3841]

who the heck actually dislikes a video like this?? so beautiful, this is why me and my wife are visiting AZ in August. Most people think it is too hot, eh...who cares? look at the summer sky

[@MikeOlbinski]

Agreed!!

[@mikemather5]

I'm a weather forecaster from the high deserts of California. I've been here since 1980. This new 4K format used in these videos is amazing to watch. You're seeing beautiful examples of orographic lifting over the mountains, cyclonic turning, downbursts from the core of a thunderstorm, cloud to cloud, in cloud, and cloud to ground lightning. I watch it over and over again and there's always something that I didn't see before. Thank you Mike for the beautiful work!!!

[@sierrarasberry1830]

mikemather5 please give us more weather jargon!

[@michaelsnodgrass9415]

Great view of the closed system

[@jimmcintosh9045]

I was a weather observer for many years mostly in Scotland so didn't see many thunderstorms but plenty CB. Used to launch helium balloons and made sure they missed the CB as the sondes signal could be lost!

[@scottmiller4348]

One thing I did not see , with all this uplift and highly organized CHAOS , was a tornado! For a moment in one of the night shots I thought maybe but could never confirm . I did however , think I observed the electro-magnetic radial advancing lightning that would have these magnificent spectacles being a gigantic induction engine !

[@Jet-Pack]

Not gonna lie, even after watching this video about 20 times, even now my eyes fill with tears of joy from watching this. Pure beauty, power, perfectly synced to epic music :)

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thank you Jan!

[@TheRedfish]

watching it with Hue lights that sync to the video all around your room makes it 100x more epic!

[@robinminkler]

This is quite possibly the most beautiful video I've ever seen!

[@fuzzface8744]

You obviously haven't been to PornHub.

[@robinminkler]

LMAO!!! Good one!

[@sentinel8711]

Lol!!! nahh man this is much more beautiful

[@ktjonas8275]

I live in Tucson and the smell after the storms is just undescribably beautiful..so fresh and clean and clear..you have to experience it to understand...but the storms are just spectacular...

[@Trouble-Clef]

Robin Minkler Have you seen his film Vorticity? If you haven’t check it out, it’s so beautiful!

[@erikvander9060]

Hello from France ! Thank you for being part of these people who remind us how our planet is the most beautiful of shows. Beautiful video !

[@MikeOlbinski]

thanks so much Erik!

[@jonmengering8837]

As a weather junkie, I applaud you and your passion for the wild. Simply unreal stuff. Thank you for making this possible for all of us to see

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thank you Jon!!!! New one soon :)

[@justinmatthews2899]

I play this on my 60" during parties. You're the man, Mike.

[@craigcurlee6428]

Now this is how to start off a Monday!! Fantastic! This is probably my favorite of yours. The music is so perfect for this! Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@ryanlotgd]

wow mike uve outdone urself i thought last years would take some beating but damn some of them colours at sunset

[@orlipide]

my 5 cents Mike: you go straightforward to our untouchable memories, thanks!!

[@LikeOnATree]

Absolutely amazing -- sent shivers down my spine! The scenes with the stars in the background are especially amazing!

[@rpaw8344]

Wow! Beautiful! That last shot made my eyes go wide! 😳😳😳

[@syckasylums3910]

when I was younger about 5 or 6 I used to cry during thunder and lightening storms, because I thought god was yelling at me for being bad..... now it's the only time I find I'm most happiest..... thank you for sharing.

[@alexlubbers1589]

i was in Ottawa recently for the week of Canada 150, and only one day didn't have thunder and lightning, including Canada Day. Most people around were scared and/or angry at the storms, yet I was enthusiastic, as it was a trailer for my return to AZ on july 4 to see my dad and watch the monsoon.

[@Teajryan]

Growing up in Oklahoma, I hid under the kitchen table when I heard thunder....now I go outside to watch the lightning.

[@1.4142]

you mean thor?

[@latinbusa]

I never knew KZbin had such beautiful videos like this. I caste it to my 75'' 4k TV and it was amazing. Thank you.

[@Trouble-Clef]

I love all your films and photos, they’re all so beautiful and really capture just how beautiful our sky and weather really are.

[@dryheat85255]

Great video and music. The music seems to complement this video especially well. I live in Phoenix and this is exactly what monsoon storms look like and sound like here. My dog hates it!

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thanks so much haha, I love it :) New one coming next week!

[@obsidianwing]

You blew me away , i saw the preview on periscope in comparison to monsoon 1 you improved by 1000%. I still sit here goosebumps and cold shivers of emotion.The colours are unbelievable , you cant believe they real if i haven't stay on the TVN live streams and remember some of the places you have been. The Images are very inspiring for me as an digital painter artist.

[@harleyv1969]

Four minutes in.... The cello and the flute duet.... You perfectly matched with the the sunbursts with the intro of each instrument and then the conjoining of the clouds with the flute and cello come together its super!,

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thanks so much for appreciating that, means a lot!

[@thatpianoguy91]

Absolutely incredible!! So much to take in- almost overwhelming at times! Fantastic work, sir!!

[@MarkRosengarten]

I chased the Arizona monsoon in August 2015 too! Some of those storms and locations looked familiar. Brilliant work here!

[@JABjitsu]

Absolutely gorgeous work. I've sat here watching it in a trance. Stunning!

[@LaJocanda]

WOW Mike. Stunning cinematography! Great job, great film. Thank you for the share. LOVE IT!

[@rafrodr]

My favorite 4K post. Thank you for your work. Incredible.

[@camcoulter5993]

So enjoyed this. Wonderful work.

[@nawwaf7nawwaf]

unbelievable !! this is spectacular and you really amazed me. this is my favorite time lapse ever !! i am gonna show this to my friends and my family

[@aaleeixx]

A sample of how beautiful is nature! Amazing time-lapse! Thanks a lot for sharing this and congrats for this great job you’ve done!

[@abcdef-cf2uk]

Another masterpiece to be sure. And yes, the music does really pull it together.

[@rogeraydin908]

Mike, you nailed it again! Beautiful and absolutely stunning work, thank you so much! 😀

[@Aeolos2]

Simply respect ! Between the best time lapse videos I've ever seen...

[@JonathanStolarski]

Beautiful work Mike. I'd have to say the sequence starting at 4min has to be my favorite. Just stunning!

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Jonathan Stolarski Thanks my friend!!!!

[@rvh1716]

Totally agree Jonathan. Not just because it’s my family’s farm;) but so much going on. Dust flows blowing north, clouds circling south, tower lights turning on as the sunlight is eclipsed, American flags taught to the strong wind, light blues change to yellow to orange to purple. I’ve watched this segment 20+ times and it’s never old. I truly love watching these storms roll in during the monsoon season, I’ve never seen someone so skilled at capturing the awe like only Mike can do.

[@cooperroberts1453]

AMAZING VIDEO!!!!! what a beautiful state we live in! Arizona is one of the best places to the this kind of stunning work! Arizona's monsoon season is spectacular! great video mike!

[@Krilin84]

Amazing job capturing these shots!! And thanks for sharing

[@x-con-x]

Just purchased a 28" 4k monitor and this is the first place i come to test it....glad i did. Thank you.

[@MikeOlbinski]

heck yeah man, appreciate that!!!

[@costiniucmircea]

Magnificent video !

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thanks so much for that!!!

[@stevekesedakisstormchasing7031]

i keep watchung this video Mike....!!not only its one of the best if not the best video i have seen but a true inspiration of dedication,hard work and passion...!!!

[@rivirsawyer]

Incredible, as always Mike. Thank you for taking us on this journey

[@brenarlia]

You managed to capture nature's greatest light show. Excellent.

[@pabshier1430]

I watch your films at .5 speed in order to see more details and STILL, I must watch each multiple times as I cannot get enough of the magic! I am overwhelmed by how many reactions and emotions well up in the course of viewing them... THANK YOU (and those who support you) for the incredible dedication in bringing such amazing scenery to us! This artwork is nearly as timeless as the weather itself-

[@teacfan1080]

I just sat here staring at my screen...in total awe and amazement!

[@BaladeNature]

Amazing work ! Congratulations and thanks for sharing it.

[@kayjaysok]

WOW.. just WOW this is time lapse art in the truest form.. Thank you

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thanks Jay!

[@evilpell]

Amazing job Mike, I'm completely impressed.

[@jasonhall3841]

might be the most amazing video I have ever seen. Thank you, I love the summer months in Tucson. Amazing filmwork!

[@srvntlilly]

Jason Hall I miss them so much!d

[@blaagnozem6158]

everyone should watch this.. so impressive.. with the music and visual combined.. perfect job.

[@kayakmanonthego]

Hat off to both you and your wife. The most beautiful cloud and storm video I’ve seen. Fantastic audio, too.

[@muratil]

I was down there in Arizona last spring and passed in a couple of lightning storms. During our excursion took some time lapses as well. However Olbinski made an art. This video is insanely beautiful. I watched it with an envy!Bravo!

[@eviewilde354]

Brilliant! Keep up the great work. I love watching these amazing storms unfold.

[@prestonroundtree4171]

Fantastic! Mezmorizing, inchanting with the music and incredibly beautiful! I would like these playing always at home and work. Very well done. Keep 'em coming!

[@mkbluedream]

Thanks bro. That was some amazing work! Good to see how many hours, miles, frames etc. that went into making this.

[@severeweather4161]

Oh my gosh I love it! Everything is beautiful!

[@pauljenkins2501]

That is absolutely stunning. Thank you.

[@darryllspalding5211]

I love the monsoon, it is the bringing of new life, the sustenance for living , the cleansing of the old and this is how the planet works in just one way!!!! Beautiful to watch, incredible to live in throughout, my 44th monsoon I am experiencing right now. Thanks for the fast forward images!

[@MikeOlbinski]

Appreciate it Darryll, thanks so much for watching!

[@gracielaceybabes]

Hi there I've just completed my level 2 and 3 photography diploma with distinction grade 😃 and now Im on level 4 photography lens based media degree , my tutor showed me monsoon 3 today and now I'm hooked ! And want to create my own they are amazing fantastic work ! 😍 such a inspiration 😃 you're amazing ! Xx

[@jongkim8386]

fantastic, dramatic, powerful, amazing, beautiful....speechless...thank you Mike...

[@lemonrev]

Really Nice work, Love the music Thanks Kerry for that. And Now to grab this at a higher rate than 360, and re watch in full detail, stunning thanks for the time of day to do this. Till next chase :)

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Richard W Kerry is awesome, no clue what I'd do without him!

[@wrmacdonald9383]

Brilliant idea beautifully done. Thank you.

[@prakashsubbanna]

Just brilliant. It take a lot of effort for these footage. Really appreciate it. Regards from Bangalore, India.

[@MikeOlbinski]

It sure does, thank you!

[@yorokobi9530]

I was born and raised in Amarillo Texas and this is what I saw. But I only caught it in glimpses, in real time. This gives the clouds life and you're films are hard to look away from. Thank you

[@shaskar]

Thanks a lot for these moments.

[@jkepub]

Easily the most beautiful and stunning videos on KZbin. I could watch them for hours on end. Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with, and she's magical! Thank you for producing these epic videos :-)

[@doriantaddei1130]

One of the finest time-lapse movies ever shot/edited. Great music and breathtaking shots. You're brave letting your camera stand during the first onslaught from the dust storms. I've done the same thing myself many times, wondering of they're going to get polished or sand-blasted? This deserves an award! Congrats. It's amazing our wives don't leave us for "abandonment," huh? Best wishes...

[@stkhnds]

Just friggin AMAZING! Thanks so much for dedicating your time and talent producing these films along with your crew.

[@MikeOlbinski]

Appreciate the kind words!!!!

[@momoniyb272]

oh my god.. what a video!!! best timelapse I have ever seen.. Thanks

[@Glenn3D1993]

Superb Mike! Well Done! Wish I was into Photography back in 94 when I was living in Phoenix. Those Summer Storms definitely Rocked the House when I was there.

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Glenn Patterson Thanks Glenn! Yeah man, they used to be awesome...feel like they've sorta lost something lately but we had a couple of damaging storms in Phoenix last year.

[@SuperThaidave]

That might be the best thing I have ever seen! Wow, truly beautiful. Thx for sharing.

[@hehoosmeltitdeltit]

Amazing -- The only thing better than the production quality is the stunningly spectacular footage! As an AZ native, it makes me homesick.

[@alexlubbers1589]

makes me homesick too. the weather in Vancouver is so boring and depressing.

[@peperosello9010]

You and Stephen Locke are the cracks filming the storms approaching. Amazing work. Feel the storm and the thunder from the sofa. Wishing to check your next work. Incredible atmosphere with the soundtrack.

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Pepe Roselló Thanks so much Pepe...high praise lumping me in with Stephen Locke, he's amazing!

[@wheelori814]

WOW, that was BEAUTIFUL! I live in those storms, never really get to see them too much, and definitely not like this! They are even more beautiful with your touch! You got a lot of micro bursts in there! Keep up the good work, and most of all, stay SAFE while filming!

[@MikeOlbinski]

+wheelori814 Thank you!!

[@waynegriffith7647]

Amazing!!!!! Mike, you do the most awesome work. Thank you. You are an inspiration to me.

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Wayne Griffith Thank you sir...that means a lot!

[@DmitryKlyukin]

Best timelapse I've ever seen. Bravo!

[@Paganforge]

That was incredible! What you do to film these stunning video's is my idea of a perfect summer vacation!

[@terryshrives8322]

Just insane! I absolutely love these timelapse videos that you do. The best I've ever seen hands down.

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thank you Terry, appreciate that!!!

[@nancywesorick2090]

Totally amazing video!!! Love the fim and the music. Kudos tp all involved including your patient wife.

[@redus__01]

Mike I am huge fan of your films . All of these masterpieces just confirm that true beauty lies in nature. Thank you for this valuable footage and exceptional work in getting it done!

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Fruitfable Thank you so much, I appreciate that!!

[@cacatr4495]

Still loving this, I love the way you allowed the intro and the closing credits to be just the sounds of thunder. That's Great! Also, I have added a number of your monsoon videos, including this one, to my Arizona playlist. Thanks again! :)

[@MikeOlbinski]

Awesome, thanks so much!!!

[@anne203035]

This is really beautiful, nice work!

[@telesunsets]

Amazing, with the dust storms included, you've captured all the four elements ;-)

[@selenarctos7516]

This video can not be interrupted in the middle of advertising! Greed must have boundaries!

[@MikeOlbinski]

Yeah ugh, didn't know that was happening!

[@MrTopielec]

This is the best video on youtube I've ever seen ! Simply fantastic montage ! Wonderful shot , beautiful storms , wonderful streaks of rain , a perfect movie , congratulations !

[@MikeOlbinski]

+MrTopielec Wow, thank you!!

[@alanrigby6879]

Way NICE. Thank you Mike O. and Mrs. O.

[@Leandro_F_R]

Amazing video Mike Olbinski. Congratulations.

[@gryptonite]

so much work behind this and what a great result !!! the colors are crazy.... i tried to create a movie this summer and the result is far far far from what you've done.... GREAT VIDEO !!! can't stop watching

[@chiquino5]

Bellísimo 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 muchas gracias por compartirlo!! excelente trabajo!!

[@musicloverforever8475]

Absolutely brilliantly done, thanks for sharing this awesomeness Mike

[@MikeOlbinski]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@juniorsmom3419]

Beautiful photography, wonderful storms.

[@abhijitmore8124]

Beautiful. The initial storm looks like one from maracaibo, such brilliant lightening. Great work.

[@RichArtLove]

Truly Astounding. I've lived through it in Tucson, Safford & Phoenix, and you've really caught the mystical power of this most amazing of natural phenomena. !!!

[@srvntlilly]

Don Wanderer Nothing is more beautiful than a Tucson monsoon!

[@srvntlilly]

@Bkzy I've lived in Phx and Tucson. Where is Darwin? 🙂

[@Pangie77]

Absolutely...bloody...fantastic!

[@TailSpinRCSpain]

Beautiful footage and an excellent study of weather, thanks !

[@jerriearnhart483]

absolutely stunning video!! thank you for sharing =)

[@lomarenr1598]

What an AMAZING and AWE INSPIRING piece of work!! WONDERFUL music and perfectly in sync to the video. Not many videos inspire like this one. Thank you for sharing.

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thanks so much!!!

[@andysux1]

Wow! I literally have no words... Thank you

[@mfparkison]

Killer stuff, Mike! I can fully appreciate how difficult this was to capture and put together.

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Michael Parkison Thank you Michael!!

[@AcademiaCS1]

It's just awesome!! What a great compilation of the sea over the ground.

[@MikeOlbinski]

Many thanks!

[@papapoodo6685]

That was FANTASTIC!!!! Thank you for your hard work!

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thank you!

[@markdebruin4807]

Papapoo Do yes agreed this is so well done

[@JonasNymanMTB]

This is art, pure art, simply amazing

[@MikeOlbinski]

Thanks Jonas!

[@jamesburnett7085]

All of your work that I have seen so far is museum quality. As I watch, I can feel my heart rhythm change. Something happens with my brainwaves that gives my head a very heavy, full feeling, almost as though I am about to get a headache. The breathtaking moments coming in such an overwhelming repetition, challenging my senses to keep up in the pleasure centers of my brain leave me weak. I know I'm being gushy, and I haven't even started yet about Kerry Muzzey's music (I love it) and how perfectly you sync your images to it! This use of music gives the sky a voice of authority and power. I feel like a have been sneaking peeks of Heaven.

[@alexlubbers1589]

amazing job! i live in seattle now but i was born and raised up to 14 years and experienced all of the monsoon's glorious and damaging thunderstorms. your work is incredible capturing what should be MUCH more recognized in the least recognized state besides alaska, but even alaska has the auroras. the lightning shots are great. it really puts the slight bit of danger with the amazing beauty of purple blue bolts streaking to earth with its firework show of light and noise.

[@MikeOlbinski]

+Alex Lubbers Thanks so much Alex... I think myself and other chasers here in AZ have actually opened the eyes of people from elsewhere...I even hosted a couple of tornado chasers this year who wanted to visit Arizona finally. They loved it!

[@alexlubbers1589]

congrats! i cant wait for next year because my dad still lives there so ill be back for storm season! and keep up the amazing footage!

[@BronsonDorsey]

Absolutely stunning!

[@DxDOverland]

Stunning. Obviously a labor of love, and exceedingly well done.