Monsoon V (4K)

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My original plan this past summer was to collect as much footage as normal, but to not put out a "Monsoon V" until 2019 when I had two years worth of crazy haboobs and lightning to make it truly spectacular. But the monsoon had different plans and put on a pretty dang good show in 2018, starting off with a decent dust storm on July 5th, then the best haboob chase I've ever had on July 9th, an epic green hail core on July 11th and finally another fantastic dust storm day on August 2nd.

Sprinkled in there...more dust storm, some at night, spectacular lightning, and tons of microbursts and stormy clouds, plus a few rotating supercells to put some icing on the cake. It was one of the best monsoon seasons I've chased, so I couldn't help but get to work on Monsoon V a few weeks ago.

I love doing these films so much. So much hard work for months on end goes into capturing them. Almost 15,000 miles this summer across Arizona. 85,000+ frames with plenty more deleted. A total of 32 days out there chasing over three months. Sleep deprivation, tons of gas money, crappy food and yes, sometimes missing storms I wish I had been on.

But the highs were amazing. Chasing with my kiddos...sharing the July 9th haboob bonanza with Lyla and Eli...or an all-night chase with my youngest, Asher. They were so awesome to have along. Two workshops with five fantastic people. Both were so fun and the storms we saw were just wonderful.  I feel so blessed to teach people and show the monsoon off to those who have never seen it before.

Big, huge thanks to my buddy Jay Worsley for helping mix the songs on this film to extend them a bit and even blend two songs together. You're a life-saver my friend and your skills are unmatched!

As always is the case...this year, including tornado season, I chased the most I ever have. Which means more time away from home. And Jina...my incredible wife...she's so supportive of my passion and this business. Taking care of the kids and running everything at home during those months...I am forever amazed at how she always has my back, even during the times when it's too hard and she'd rather not. I can't thank her enough for allowing me to chase my dreams.

I do want to thank all of you watching this...over the years, so many people have seen the films, left kind words, purchased DVDs, prints and even books. I don't know how many people asked me this year about when Monsoon V was coming out, and I have to say...it was extremely motivating. So thank you for the support and kind words of encouragement and excitement about these storm movies...I can honestly say you are a huge reason why I keep making them!

Technical Details:

Everything shot with two Canon 5DSRs and various Canon lenses. Might be a couple lightning sequences with the Sony A7R3

Processed in Lightroom, LR Timelapse, After Effects and Premiere Pro.

[shibalover]

My 4 yr old grandson is fascinated by your films and will ask to watch one. It lessenschis fright to see the lightening without the thunder.
Thank you for sharing your extraordinary work.

[jonmengering]

Those clouds at 3:03...I didn't know a sky could turn those colors. Wow. Yet another home run by Mike O.

[kl]

The heavens declare..., the skies proclaim..., they have no speech, they use no words..., yet their voice goes out into all the earth! I’m speechless!

[smturner]

Thank you so kindly for justifying me buying a $2500 oled tv. Your works are visual feasts. Once i calm down at night with no lights on... I dont need anything but this.

[YujiItado]

These storms act like ocean waves. It's mesmerizing!

[David-cxwy]

I can not relate how this film makes me feel. Ive watched it so many times and yet it never gets old or lessens the impact for me. Its like proof of being in the presence of something greater than yourself, something you have yet to understand, something spiritual. It makes me feel a connection to this earth that i never knew i had such is the power of these images combined with this music. Thank you so much for the amount of work you have undertaken to bring this to life.

[pabshier]

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-

[onlyhuman]

You are very gifted.
God bless you and your family.

[mubblemann]

The benchmark for weather timelapse videos.

[nicolaspette]

Mike. I am absolutely speechless. This has no precedence in the history of filming earth (except your previous films maybe). Thank you so much for giving us all the opportunity to see that. 😍

[SceneArtisan]

Mike, not SOLELY speaking about your work here BUT, THIS (and others chasers' work too) is why I love to see when mother nature gives us inclement weather. It's mindblowingly gorgeous. If this could be shown on a million Voyager 2 'Golden Record' spacecrafts (on a permanently playing video screen, somehow) heading out into the furthest reaches of the universe in different directions so other species can see it when the human race is LONG gone, then I'd say we left one thing behind that best showed what Earth's amazing (inclement) weather was like.

[rodypollock]

Again I will be watching over and over again.

[david_potvin]

Anyone who has ever shot a time lapse will truly understand and appreciate the amount of work that goes into your productions. Bravo once again!!!

[azoutdoors]

Absolutely stunning photography and film editing thanks for sharing. I'm an HVAC Service Technician and worked in Arizona from 2015-2019, and remember storms like these very well. I was usually getting off of a rooftop when these storms would roll in lol. Anyway, I had to move back to San Diego to be closer to family, but absolutely love Arizona and will return when the time is right. Whenever I get homesick for AZ, I watch these videos. Thanks again.

[dermasder]

The greatest Artist of all Time?
Yes, NATURE!
And Mike are able to capture it in a very powerfull Way.
Great Job, love it!

[kolio]

So so beautiful I could just watch the clouds all day

[PalabrasMayoresColombia]

Mike Obinski your work is far beyond photography, it is pure art, and by sharing its beauty, makes at the world a lot better. Thanks a lot. Many greetings from Spain brother

[rathven]

How can this channel have only 28K subscribers? This video is gorgeous, and the efforts put in it are insane. You deserve a much bigger crowd than this and have people recognize your amazing work

[Solnyshkov]

Absolutely stunning! As always! Thx for your work!

[ryanlotgd]

Another absolutely breath taking Time-lapse Mike