Storm chasing photographer Mike Olbinski is at it again. Earlier this month, Olbinksi amazed us with his dramatic photos of lightning striking the Superstition Mountains in Arizona, and now he has released a surreal and beautiful time-lapse film displaying the dramatic storms of the American Heartland.
The film was selected as a coveted Vimeo Staff Pick almost immediately and it’s easy to see why. From the quiet and peaceful opening scenes that build up to the explosive conclusion, Olbinski takes viewers for an intense ride with him as he pursues his passion of documenting these powerful forces of nature.
It is hard to believe that this was only Olbinski’s second extended storm chase. According to Olbinski’s account on his Vimeo page, his only previous extended chase was seven days last year prior to the 14 days of chasing that resulted in the footage seen in this film.
Leaving from his home in Arizona, Olbinski drove 12,000 miles through ten states and captured 45,000 frames over a two week period in late May and early June.
Olbinski has many people to thank for the support he received while making this film, but none more than his wife Jina. Olbinski explains:
Above everyone else, the person I need to thank the most is of course, my wife. To let me go for that long, to never complain, to never discourage me…but to only believe in me…how could I be so lucky to deserve a wife like that? We have three kids and that’s tough on a parent to have her husband away that long. It will never cease to amaze me that I would not be here, doing this, if it wasn’t for her support and encouragement.
Not only is Olbinski grateful for his wife’s support, but every person who views this incredible film is grateful as well, as without it, we may not be riding shotgun on an dramatic storm chase through the American heartland.
See more from Olbinski on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Olbinski provided Resource Travel with 13 incredible images captured during this chase.