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Blu-Ray discs available here: mikeolbinski.com/shop/
Music by Peter Nanasi, find his work here: peternanasi.bandcamp.com/
Follow me: twitter.com/mikeolbinski /
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On June 12th, I broke down into tears. Minutes earlier, I had been outside my truck, leaning against it, head buried in my arms, frustration and failure washing over me. I wanted to quit. I got back in the car and as I drove, the pain got the better of me and the tears came.
This past spring was a tough one. Supercell structure and beautiful tornadoes had been very hard to come by. In fact, the tornado in the opening of this film was the only good one I saw this entire year. I had been on the road longer than ever before. Driven more miles. I was away from my family for 12 straight days at one point, and when I got home, I had to tell them I was going back out 24 hours later for June 12th. It was just too good to pass up. It promised to be a day that I could get everything I had been hoping for this spring and I had no choice. My wife understood, even though I knew she wished I stayed home. And I wished it too.
I knew right where I wanted to be that day. But this year I struggled with confidence in trusting my instincts. Maybe it was because the lack of good storms this spring made me question my skills, or maybe it was something else inside of me. Whatever the case, I let myself get twisted and unsure, and found myself 80 miles away from where I had wanted to be when the tornadoes started to drop and the best structure of the year materialized in the sky. The photos from Twitter and Facebook started to roll in and I knew I had missed everything.
It may not be easy to understand why, but when you work as hard as I did this spring, a moment like that can break you. I felt like I let my wife down. But mostly I let myself down. I forgot who I was and that's not me. Or it shouldn't have been me. I failed myself. And it seemed like the easy choice to just give up and head for home.
But I didn't. I'm not sure why, but the pain slowly began to subside. I realized it was only 4pm and the storms were still ongoing. Maybe if I could get in front of them the day could be saved. Ninety minutes later, I got out ahead and saw some of the best structure I'd seen all spring and a lightning show that was so incredible it's one of the very last clips of this film.
And that's why this film is called "Pursuit." Because you can't give up. Keep chasing, keep pursuing. Whatever it is. That's the only way to get what you want.
I learned something about myself on June 12th which carried over to the final few days of chasing this spring. I trusted myself again and those days were incredibly rewarding. This was who I'd been all along but had forgotten. I can't wait for next year.
The work on this film began on March 28th and ended June 29th. There were 27 total days of actual chasing and many more for traveling. I drove across 10 states and put over 28,000 new miles on the ol' 4Runner. I snapped over 90,000 time-lapse frames. I saw the most incredible mammatus displays, the best nighttime lightning and structure I've ever seen, a tornado birth caught on time-lapse and a display of undulatus asperatus that blew my mind. Wall clouds, massive cores, supercell structures, shelf clouds...it ended up being an amazing season and I'm so incredibly proud of the footage in this film. It wasn't the best year in storm chasing history...but I got to chase storms and share it with you guys. All worth it.
I wanted to do something new this year, so I worked with composer Peter Nanasi to develop a custom track for Pursuit. I'm super excited about it and loved the process of exchanging ideas and building the song as the editing of the film progressed. I am so thankful to Peter for what he came up with, I'm in love with this track!
The time away from my family turned out to be over a month all told. I'm always and continually blessed by a wife who supports what I do and backs me completely. But not only do I have her to thank this spring, but also her parents who hung around for a good chunk of May and early June, to help out wherever needed, watch the kids, run errands and generally be there for Jina. I don't have enough words to convey how appreciative I am for them being around while I was gone.
I think that's about it. I could write a lot more, but I'd rather you watch the film and hopefully have a taste of what I saw this spring. There is nothing quite like strong inflow winds, the smell of rain and the crack of thunder. I miss being out there already.
I hope you enjoy and I'll do my best to answer any questions in the comments below!
Technical Details:
I used two Canon 5DSR's along with a Canon 11-24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 135mm and Sigma Art 50mm. Manfrotto tripods. The final product was edited in Lightroom with LR Timelapse, After Effects and Premiere Pro
I watch this film now often with my son. Most of the time in his bed right before he sleeps. He is 8 with autism and this film continuously amazes both of us. Every time we are done we pick our jaws up off of the floor and move on but the thought feeling of being in an incredible storm sticks with us both. We go to sleep with that feeling and it is just amazing. He just told me to tell you that this is the best movie he’s ever seen! Thanks man. Your hard work is appreciated!!!!!
Wow Benjamin...thank you for sharing that, I'm so incredibly honored that you and your son love it enough to watch it before bed, I'm just at a loss for words!
@THE URANIUM CAFE Get out!
@THE URANIUM CAFE You, without a doubt -- without even a scintilla of doubt and in light of all the comments I have read to all the videos I have watched in the past month and more -- have managed to actually cause me to involuntarily produce a guttural, choking sound of utter disgust, contempt, and disdain all rolled into one. I have no doubt also that you vote *Democrat*.
Ahh here we are having watched what could be one of the most beautiful videos ever, which has the ability to transcend time and put us in awe of this world we live in and yet people argue of irrelevant things. Humans..
Guys, we all just made more relevant TUC's stupid comment by talking about it instead of focusing on how amazing Benjamin Pike's was and how this amazing video is a work of art. The incredible music, man! And Mike Olbinki's gracious respond.
EARTH! What a beautiful powerful amazing planet. And for a brief moment we get to live on it
Yes, just the blink of an eye on a time scale, that’s why we have to try a cherish every moment.
Profound
Some random GUY but we can’t live on them, you missed the point. Earth is where our life is
And kill it with garbage.
UNKNOWNEAGLE ONLINE...ALERTA GALACTICO ONLINE 😘
Let’s just appreciate that he is still hearting comments after all this time!
haha, thanks Mr Pro!
Mike! Absolutely love your work. This popped up today. Shared it on Facebook for you. I've been a fan for a while.
@@robertborchert932 thank you Robert!
Have to comment again: As a professional photographer and artist who has done some storm chasing myself, this is a beautiful work of art. I'm jealous and intimidated.
Thank you Harvey, I truly appreciate that honesty haha....taken a lot of work to get here.
This has entirely and forever changed my perspective on storms.
Thanks so much! I got more, check 'em out!
What was your previous perspective?
@@matthewdeoliveira2073 possibly that it looks so much different being able to see such things operate and play out quickly. Its nice to observe them at normal pace but seeing it like this is just something else.
@@austinthornton4150 I was wondering what the previous perspective was.
@@matthewdeoliveira2073 for sure.
“This, too, shall pass.” Even the fiercest storm. Beautiful and spectacular scenery!
My 5 year old and I are hooked on time lapse videos before bed
There are no words to describe this………. I love how at times it felt like being under water in the sea.
"...And God separated the waters below from the waters above"
Holy cow! I would really love to see this in iMAX
wouldnt u love to see in real instead of imax?
@@ayktklaslan unfortunately you don't have time lapse in real view 😀
Yes please
What is an i max?
@@yk68 IMAX is a cinema company known for showing films on the largest screens possible.
The music is just amazing. If you wanted to capture the ominous creeping up of a storm this is it. The cinematography is truly stunning as well. Perfect combo of music and visuals
For over twenty years, since I was a teenager, I have imagined opening an epic fantasy movie with a time-lapse of a storm building over the sea. Watching this humbling work of art just now I found myself back on that seashore, this time thinking, "what if..." Thank you. X
You should check out the Bloodline intro. Also this video is hauntingly beautiful . Props to Mr Olbinski.
As a severe weather enthusiast, it took a very long time to get to that point. My journey is like many other storm-lovers’ stories; It started when I was 9 years old. I’ll never forget it. A tornado came barreling through our front yard one calm September evening, without warning. I remember staring out of our big bay window in awe at what was happening outside. I knew that I should be taking cover, but they say people become almost Mesmerized by tornadoes, and that’s exactly what it felt like. I couldn’t look away, almost to my detriment. But, just as quickly as the funnel came, it disappeared, and all was right in the world again. Except, something was awakened in me. This deep-seeded fear sort of crept into my 9 year old self, not at first, but slowly over time. It got to the point where I was terrified if there was even a slight breeze, and if it was thundering out, forget it. I was rolled up in a ball at the foot of my parents bed, crying & hyperventilating from fear. This fear lasted my entire childhood. I always remember being afraid that a tornado would come. In the shower, I’d be afraid to wash my hair because thoughts of what would happen if a tornado hit while I had soap in my hair would race through my mind. This intense fear somehow slowly went away once I was a young adult, maybe in my early 20’s, and was replaced by an intense interest in storms. I don’t know how it happened, but now I live for a good thunderstorm. I even go out and drive to an open area where I have a decent view of the sky when we get severe weather alerts. I absolutely love them now! But it’s not just the storms I enjoy; It’s the cozy feeling of hunkering down with loved ones & battening down the hatches that comes along with it. Like for a moment, the world stops and nothing else matters. It’s the threat of chaos that thrills my soul. I don’t quite understand it, but it’s a truly amazing feeling. Addicting, even. Kind of like when the power goes out and you all huddle together under the warm glow of candlelight. It’s just a cozy feeling. Comforting. I don’t know why I became so afraid of storms as a kid, but I’m positive that the tornado I experienced when I was 9 had something to do with it. I’ve read that it’s common for kids to get PTSD after major storms or natural disasters, and it sounds a lot like what I experienced. But I was never diagnosed officially, mainly because my parents likely didn’t think it was anything worth seeing a doctor over. But whatever it was, I’m glad that I’m no longer crippled with fear whenever nature decides to grace us with her presence & put on a show. I’d be severely missing out.
Breathtaking and being a chaser myself I can only begin to imagine the hundreds or thousands of hours put into this. This is absolutely highly commendable work.
Thank you Mitchelle!
Didn't diminish it for me, means a lot when someone notices the time and effort it takes to do something like this.
Hi not meaning to sound offensive, just curious, why would you need to spend so much time to chase a storm? Is it a logistical issue or something more? Thanks
Because storms don't cooperate...you can't just go out and get a tornado everyday, or see an epic supercell everyday. Takes lots of work and chances to see the good stuff. You can go chase for eight hours and get nothing. Or you can chase for eight hours and get all kinds of good stuff.
Ufo bei 2.21 oberhalb der wolke!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!
I was sitting in front of my computer screen, in a chair, but by the ending i literally stood up to clap for this. overwhelmingly incredible work
Wow, thank you so much!!!
@@MikeOlbinski the best . i have never seen this good so good thank you oh wow OMG
Gay.
@@spire393 I stood up and clapped when I saw this comment.
@@Istredd109 wha... when I called the over the top comment 'gay'?
As a photographer myself, I understand these are a lot harder than they look to make! Really appreciate it. It takes dedication and skill to pull this off with no mess-ups. This is literally one of those things you need to often do frame-by-frame stills in RAW and painstakingly edit together for HOURS. Not to mention the travelling and staying up! And making sure everything is sturdy and in place. One good gust of wind and a loosened tripod and all the work could be ruined and have to buy expensive equipment all over again. Also never knowing what to expect in that weather. A stray lightning bolt could ruin the camera, even if it's not a direct hit. But in the end, it's worth it and SO satisfying to realize you finished it and to sit back and watch it. VERY GOOD JOB!
An absolute masterpiece! From the ethereal visuals of nature's power to the haunting and beautiful music, this is art for the ages.
Thank you Anna!
Hi Anna, I agree, You can find Peter Nanasi's work here: peternanasi.bandcamp.com/
I take a lot of cloud sunrise and sunset photos. To see these clouds in motion in this wonderful time lapse is majestic.
Terrifying, powerful, overwhelming, but most of all incredible and even beautiful. Sometimes it seems like we’re under the sea, sometimes it doesn’t even look like it’s from our planet. I can’t believe my eyes! Thank you so so much for your talented work (and I believe we also have to thank to you wife)
Literally looks like it could've been taken from any planet really.
Congratulations on this amazing work! Visually stunning!
This is not a film... it’s a journey...
I was required to watch this video for part of my online learning in my science class, and it was one of the coolest videos I've ever watched!! It's so beautifully captured, and I was captivated the whole time. Thank you for sharing this!!
Mike, though I may be a little slow getting here, may I congratulate you on this magnificent work of art.
Well, slow or not, I appreciate it!!!
Seriously for what it truly is worth, all of your work relating to timelapses of these weather formations are beyond awe inspiring. For someone like me pursuing a degree in Environmental Science to eventually go after a masters in Meteorology, these images and videos encompass the very nature of why I want to do this for the rest of my life. It is absolutely beautiful, yet extremely powerful to see these forces of nature put on such astonishing shows as they dance across the atmosphere. I'm just glad someone as skilled as yourself has taken the time to film such beauty. Thank you Mike and keep up the incredible work and as I've seen you shout out your wife, much thanks to her as well. No great work was ever accomplished without the guidance of a great woman near by. Look forward to more from your wonderful collection. Sincerely Johnny O
Thank you Johnny...man that means a lot, I appreciate it!
5:47 damn a hole lightning storm chill thor
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-
I don't know how this video doesn't have a million views already. This video is just absolutely breathtaking.
Stunning work... from the cinematography to the editing to the music. I’ve lived in the east my whole life and only got out west once. It’s almost impossible to get a feeling for the scale of these scenes even if you’ve seen the big sky. This would make a great short before an IMAX movie!
I'd love that!
Apparently the rings of Saturn affect Earth but humans are a life form with limited existence
There is rarely a time when I feel different as a human after watching a movie... and this was one of those times. Incredible.
When you've been lock down for 2 months and one morning came across this amazing video " i started crying"😭 I feel so much good now. Thanks Mike
Appreciate that Kamran!
I feel your passion ! Whew !!!
I'll never understand people that cry over a youtube video
@@bgcm1995 watch it at 4k on a big screen.
@@bgcm1995 whatever bro. It's not just a "KZhead video".. the content is what makes one cry. Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma on KZhead makes me cry.
Oh my gosh, I am overwhelmed with emotion. This was beyond incredible. Thank you for this beautiful piece of work.
nice rack
6:35 simply amazing!
Masterful cinematography, perfect music. Brilliant!!
Hey Tyler, I agree, You can find Peter Nanasi's work here: peternanasi.bandcamp.com/
*The clouds' movements are astonishing! Great photography!* 🙏✨
Thank you!
I find this very calming
Thank you!
WOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!! So glad there were not flies around since my jaw was unhinged the entire time!
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen... Rev. 1:7
My thoughts exactly.. Praise God!
Amen!
watching this again when there is an ongoing thunderstorm clapping outside my window.. adds to the effects!!
The most important thing is “Supportive Wife” 🤣 Beautiful video.
I would honestly love to see a storm-chasing documentary, or a feature-length film about this stuff. Watching it like this is mesmerizing.
Praise be to the ONE! Words fall short when you see nature like this, Simply Magnificent!
"God, Not Man. Is King." (Oliver Cromwell) Incredible!. Thank you for this. A Happy and Safe Christmas 2022 folks. 👍🎄🎅 🇺🇸 🏴
Outstanding !! You just have to love Mother Nature. Especially when she's angry!
Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for all the hard work and time invested in making this, and of course for sharing it with the rest of us. The music was a perfect fit and gorgeous, as well. :)
Thank you sooooo much for that! Glad you liked the music :)
@@MikeOlbinski I WANT TO SAID IT LIKE THIS , WELL SAID
Thank you so much for showing us the incredible side of the storm 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you Mike for the wonderful gift you offered us. It is beyond words.
Reading and watching this is really deeply moving in a special way. It clears the soul. Thank you.
woah them sunset clips are insane
First time seeing this. Absolutely amazing! Brilliant work!
I'm shocked how amazing this is? Seeing the clouds form in Storms in Timelapse is one of the most beautiful thing I've seen.. just wow, this video made me understand more of how beautiful, majestic, terrifying and powerful mothernature is. Awesome Job!! 👍👍
Thank you Alexander and for subscribing!
Mike, Outstanding footage. More than a passing resemblence in these clouds to an under water shot of waves on a beach. I'm sure meteorologist's could use this footage in their training, as it has so many varied conditions contained. Thank you and your wife for your efforts. Excellent. !
Thank you so much Owen, you're the second person today to mention this film and "under water" in the same breath...I totally agree!
Mike, this is a master piece, congratulations! This is the most amazing video related to storms i have ever seen.
Thank you, wow, that's a huge compliment!
Beyond words. Thank you for reminding me of the power and beauty of our Creator.
I agree 💯%
That is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, and it's so obvious to everyone who watches this that it's a true labour of love. Thank you so much. I think if this video had been 5 hours long I would still have watched every second!
Watching time lapses of the earth and sky just makes me awe as its such a beautiful thing to witness and yet people are distracted by trivial things.
3:16 incredible!
Thanks!!!
That was one of the most incredible and beautiful things I have ever watched in my life. Thank you so much for it.
YOU ARE THE BOSS! You got all the stuff that all the tornado chasing TV shows were supposed to get!!! They only wanted to get IN IT. YOU GOT ALL THAT MAKES IT! THANK YOU!
hahaha, thank you!
Awe-some! My god, this makes me feel so small. Love it.
You are small :)
Could watch this for hours and hours. Outstanding work, outstanding efforts and a big thank you to your wife for letting you create this.
Definitely agree, I felt a sense of peace watching these storms happen. Beautiful and amazing
That's how I feel in the moment!
Thank you. I have no words ...
Amazing work sir and also your gratitude, all so wonderful to watch, read and hear 🙏
OMG, your videos take me to a place of such peace. I literally loose myself within them. I’am so grateful that you share these with us 💕💕.
1:39 one of the best thing I've seen so far..... just beyong wow
The splender of mother nature, so majestic. This is truly awesome! Thank you🙏
I wish I could like this a thousand times! One of the most spectacular timelapses you've done! Thank you!
Absolutely brilliant Mike!! You do such amazing work!! Congrats on another fantastic film!!!
Wow! Stunning! A visual opera. Beautiful and creative. Epic! Blown away with the color and clarity. Bravo!
You are an amazing human being for thinking of this and actually creating this to share with other people. Thank you to you and your wonderful wife. I cried.
Thank you for this video. Just blown away by the visuals and music... Thank you so much for this work.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!
This is the most beautif storm footage i have ever seen, thank you
Outstanding music selection! Really amazing to watch the development of these storm fronts and how rapidly they can dominate the area.
Hi Brian, It is, You can find Peter Nanasi's work here: peternanasi.bandcamp.com/
Thank you for the time and dedication to your craft. The consistency in view, having the foregrounds lined up the same on all of the shots, it made a huge difference in the continuity. Amazing footage. Thank your wife as well!
Absolutely STUNNING , pure work of art. Beautiful music which fits perfectly ... Blown away...thankyou
Every once in a while I watch a video on KZhead and 10 seconds in I bump the resolution up as high as my computer can handle because I know it'll be worth it. This was one of those. Damn, that was incredible.
Thank you!
Marvelous work!!
I watched it on my 4K big screen and believe me Sony should buy it up and use it as their main 4K marketing tool. Of course I’m not suggesting you sell your work as an oversized screensaver. LOL
The most beautiful and mesmerising thing I have ever seen! Natures beauty at it's best. Thank you so much for capturing it and sharing it with us 😃
Incredible. A beautiful and unique perspective. I won't view storms quite the same again.
Awesome magical and beyond belief -thank you for recording an uploading.
Spectacular film. Thank you for this.
Your work never ceased to amaze me! The Undulatus Asperatus clouds at the end were just breathtaking, wow! Great work Mike!!
Load the atmosphere with heavy metal use heterodyne waves via 750,000 Watts of energy / frequency and you get morgellons disease ! Breathtaking!!
Yep last storm was for sure full of chemtrail made. Beautiful but fricking man made.
I AGREE, the music is just PERFECT!!! This video took my soul! Thank you, MIKE!!!
Astonishing and magical. Great work! Thank you to all who made this happen!
This was so beautiful! I love watching video in 4K. But this was more than just storms this was COLOR!
Mother Earth can be so beautiful....And you are truly an artist, Mike. Thank you for having the tenacity to keep pushing through to create this spiritual journey for all of us to experience.
Absolutely stunning. Felt such a surprising sense of emotion from every clip.
Loved every frame of the video, and the music only amplifies the sentiment here.
Absolutely compelling. Makes your hair stand on end.
Well done Mike! Best in the game hands down. Keep it up as always!
Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing this incredible film.
Just....... incredible. Thank you, from the UK
Excellent montage of the 2017 Great Plains Spring time storm season... Good Tribute to Corbin J... Great Work Michael as always... ⛈💨🌪 I always look forward to these classic videos.
Just WOW! What more can you say. Love the vivid colours, and the velvet clouds that look sooo soft to touch. The music is very well suited, very well done to your music producer. Fab job all round :-)
What a stunning work of art! Thank you, Mike.
One of the most visually beautiful nature videos that I have ever seen. Music was inspiring as well.
You really are the single greatest cloud/storm photographer i have ever come across! Thank you and cheers!
Amazing. Loved every second.
WOW just WOW....I've from the Lubbock area and growing up we saw some amazing storms. Lots of tornadoes and hail storms so watching this brought back so many memories. thanks for sharing this amazing video! Stay safe!!!
Wow, truly stunning what you have captured on film.
Amazing nature! Thank you for uploading
Once again, i'm mesmerized by another one of your awe inspiring timelapse films that you've made. Especially that first scene of the McLean tornado, and the epic mammatus display over New Mexico. Keep up the amazing work, and don't let a few missed storms keep you down. I'm sure 2018 will provide many more tornadoes and supercells! Can't wait to see your next timelapse when it comes out c:
Thank you Sebastian...and you are right, good advice!
Beautiful , what a patient and creative film maker. Thank you .
thank you so much for the awe inspiring work that you have done and art you have created