mockmoon

Chobi aka mockmoon/mockmoon2000 is a YouTube user that creates some of the most amazing time lapse videos online. The surreal beauty of Japan’s natural and human wonders are presented in his short video sequences, all the while backed by alluring Bossa Nova tunes.

I was introduced to mockmoon2000′s works last year by MJ, who was in turn influenced by Wilson. The compositions tempted Wilson into purchasing vividblaze‘s music (which are featured in many of his videos) from the Apple Store and became my chief inspiration for returning to Tokyo.

mockmoon2000′s works consist of landscapes observed over many hours that are sped up digitally into the seen time lapses videos. Most are taken in surreal scenic areas around Japan, while a number of other videos have diorama styled footage of urban areas. His most notable videos seem to be his “Miniature City” clips, which features combined footage of his other skyscraper views.

Miniature City 2 feat vividblaze tightrope (floor mix), his signature video:

What’s surprising is that he does all his videos with a Canon 5D mark II, which happens to be the same camera that our posters MJ and Wilson shoot with.

The nature videos are definitely breathtaking. One can only imagine the nights spent camping in the wilderness to get the perfect clips.

Nature Time Lapse 1, the video that started it all:

Diorama or rather tilt-shift photography refers to the type of processing that makes scenes look miniaturized. We’ve tried a little bit of it in our 10 Free Tokyo City Views post but mockmoon’s done it so well that many of the more clueless were fooled into believing that the videos were of models.

Some other faves, Shinjuku from the Sunshine 60 building:

Roppongi Hills:

The first video from the Miniature City series:

And of course, the Nature Time Lapse 2 & 3 videos:

Google even engaged him to do an advert for Google Maps. Sadly, he’s doesn’t get as much credit on YouTube as the countless viral filmmakers. For more similar time lapse videos, check out the mockmoon2000 channel on YouTube.