This incredible time-lapse took 5.5 years and 42 unique locations to make

To open up the description of his latest time-lapse, photographer Chris Pritchard declares ’whether in the city or a rural area, surrounded by nature or man-made things, there is but one constant – the sky.’ He goes on to say that ‘regardless of our lifestyle or surroundings, the sky is always there above us to put on a show.’

And what a show it is in Skylight, his latest 4K time-lapse masterpiece, Skylight.

In speaking to DIY Photography, Pritchard said the time-lapse took five and a half years to make, from June 2010 to January 2016.

It consists of thousands of shots and features over 42 unique locations. Specifically, Pritchard says he shot scenes in Los Angeles, Chicago, NYC, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, New Zealand (North Island), Malibu, Big Sur, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, CARMA, Owens Valley, Eastern Sierra, Death Valley, Yosemite, Vermillion Cliffs, Mojave Desert, Central Iowa and Western Illinois.

In the three minute film, Pritchard says roughly 36 hours of real-time weather is displayed. His favorite shot of the time-lapse was captured by accident while camping in the Eastern Sierra. As shared on his blog:

It was cold and I didn’t have any motivation to leave the warm fire to setup cameras at any of the nearby scenic locations. I at least decided to drop a static camera 10 feet from our tent looking toward a clearing in the trees, at least feeling good that I’ll capture something, even if not too dramatic. I woke up in the morning and reviewed the shot and was amazed. I’ve never seen anything quite like it since.

It’s a mesmerizing video well worth every second of your time spent watching it. to see the video in its full glory, be sure to select the 4K option using Vimeo’s drop down menu.