Chicago-based time-lapse artist Chris Biela recently went on an 8-month journey through his hometown, shooting no less than 65,000 photos for 250 different sequences. The end result, after yet another countless hours of post-processing? A stunning 3.5-minute 4K tribute to some of Windy City’s coolest features, urban landscape and unique architecture.

The whole project required a lot of sacrifice. The biggest challenge was managing time between family and a full time job. I sometimes felt like I was losing it. But the sacrifice eventually paid off – I’m very proud of the outcome.

That’s of course what you get when you absolutely want to capture St. Patrick’s Day “river dyeing green,” Chicago’s Air and Water Show, the Navy Pier fireworks, the Chicago bridge lift & boat run, sunrises under the “Cloud Gate,” all of this summer’s full moons, the city’s new Ferris wheel, and so on.

Someone asked me if I wasn’t scared to shoot at night. It was indeed a little scary in some places, but overall, Windy City is surrounded by helpful and kind people, so I did not run in to any problems.

Biela addresses a special word of thanks to Sheraton Chicago, London House Chicago, Continental Hotel Chicago, Holiday Inn Chicago and the “very nice lady at the top of Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.” Looking back on being “welcomed in many places, kicked out from one, a few parking tickets, countless parking fees, miles on the foot with heavy bag” he is rightly proud of “Urbanique Chicago.”

Biela used…

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM

Manfrotto tripods

Sony Movie Studio 13

Lightroom 5

After Effects

Promote Control

Impressed? Check out some of Biela’s other work on his YouTube-page.