Severe weather photography? - DPChallenge Forums

08/01/2011 11:46:20 PM · #1

There may be a hurricane headed my way and being that I am pretty confident with my abilities to be safe enough to get out and about right after and maybe a bit during... Any suggestions on photographing a hurricane?

Here is the Hurricane update...

LINK

I have been looking up some random hurricane photos and most of them are just aftermath stuff... But I want to get out into the storm a bit. Sooo anyone have thoughts about this?

08/02/2011 01:13:08 AM · #2

Stainless steel raincoat?

08/02/2011 01:17:12 AM · #3

It's not so much the wind you need to worry about as it is the junk that will be flying along at the speed of the wind. If you want to shoot, find a place where you can get behind a very solid wall, and shoot it with the wind blowing away from you. I know that you are aware that if the eye goes over you, the wind will shift 180 deg when it begins again, so you need to be able to get to protection from both directions. A waterproof bag or housing would also be a good idea.
Have you ever been in a hurricane?
eta, Look the chosen location over, and make sure that a power line will not be landing in your lap if the poles go down.
Here's a better link for you.
National Hurricane Center.gov

Message edited by author 2011-08-02 01:20:51.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

08/02/2011 03:30:23 AM · #4

I have been through many hurricanes and I have a feeling this one will not be too bad which is why I want to go out during this one. I have been hit by one eye of a storm and I do remember that the second half was much worse with debris and the conclusion I came up with was that everything was loosened up from the one direction of wind and when the other came it was the last straw. So I will be extra cautious with the second half if I get nailed.

Revecca

Nikon D5000

08/02/2011 04:27:39 AM · #5

Sorry Marko, I have no tips to share but be safe! I am thinking I will probably shoot this hurricane as well if it gets to my area!
Definitely share with us your pictures and stories once its over!
Best of luck!

amsterdamman

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/02/2011 07:37:50 AM · #6

my three Florida hurricanes were not very picturesque, they all came over my house in the night and late evening, but the rain was so intense it was a wall of white outside. I think camera gear would be ruined within seconds of going out into the hurricanes I lived through.
Maybe as it approaches you could get some amazing sky shots. Or a shot through the eye if it passes over you.
You have been through them before, so you should know what this will bring, good luck!!
Happy not to go through that ever again.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

08/02/2011 08:30:08 AM · #7

If the storm track is worst case, Biscayne Bay could create a huge storm surge because it's just a big shallow bowl of water waiting to be sloshed around by the wind. That's what happened in 1935. Study the area flood maps, and try to not be in one of the areas that may get a surge. Wind is bad, but hurricane wind with a flood too would be a lot more dangerous.
At this time it looks like this storm is going to stay off shore, and that's a good thing. You should be getting some great surf in the next few days. Hurricane Donna was the worst one that I have been in the center of. Hurricane Wilma blew the trees in my yard around pretty hard. The center of hurricane Charley missed us by about 30 miles, but the 5 mile wide center swath looked like where a herd of bulldozers had stampeded. All the big oak trees were ripped out of the ground or torn off close to the trunks.
My mother, her three siblings, parents, and two other people went thru the 1926 hurricane in an open boat tied off in the mangroves at Everglades city. She still remembers it vividly. She is 96 now.

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

08/02/2011 08:44:51 AM · #8

I can't say that I have seen anything particularly wonderful to shoot in one of these. The wind is impressive, but is likewise quite dangerous to go out in shoot in. The downpours ruin the clarity as well. IMHO, these lend themselves more to video than photography.

A few years back, I had to go in the middle of a TS to secure a beachfront condo where some were sustaining damage. I took my waterproof p&s along and shot some from the balcony. I tried to go out on the walkway towards the dunes to get a closeup of the waves, but about 5 seconds of sandblasting changed my mind real quick.

Bottom line, shooting in the storm isn't worth the risk.

amsterdamman

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/02/2011 08:55:11 AM · #9

you got lucky in 2004 MelonMucketeer, Charlie, Francis, Ivan and Jeanne all either crossed over my house directly or passed within a few miles of us in East Orlando - UCF area to those who know. Those were the first times central Florida took a hurricane hit in the 14 years I had lived there so far.

I have a feeling Andrew as a different story for you, I was in Daytona Beach back in 1992, was a beautiful day - one feeder band passed with black skies and violent winds, lasted 10 minutes and was past. So I was unprepared in 2004 for the endless storm, 40 days from Charlie to Jeanne, and two years to clean it all up.

Stay safe out there you hurricaners!

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

08/02/2011 10:07:17 AM · #10

remember its not THAT the wind is blowing it's WHAT the wind is blowing.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/02/2011 10:22:05 AM · #11

And thus commences the season where living in Miami Beach is a particularly bad idea...

amsterdamman

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/02/2011 10:55:00 AM · #12

Originally posted by Cory:

And thus commences the season where living in Miami Beach is a particularly bad idea...

You mean the season just after "Fire Season"? The major fire year 1998, it did not rain a drop until after the 4th of July.
Most of the state was on fire for months. Its a beautiful place in the good times, but when mother nature gets an attitude, Florida can be bad.
I never lived in real tornado country, I imagine that can be worse, we got some serious tornados in Florida, and I have been close enough to two
tornados to hear the "Freight Train" sounds that they do make, but Oklahoma and the mid west seem to live with tornado godzilla. (que Art)
My mind said: "freight train? there are no tracks near my house... FREIGHT TRAIN!!! TORNADO WHAT DO I DO? WHAT DO I DO?
my legs moved around, but I had no where to go. Got lucky they did not touch my house.
Here, it just rains a little most every day, and its chilly. So, not so bad...

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/02/2011 11:01:23 AM · #13

Originally posted by amsterdamman:

Originally posted by Cory:
And thus commences the season where living in Miami Beach is a particularly bad idea...

You mean the season just after "Fire Season"? The major fire year 1998, it did not rain a drop until after the 4th of July.
Most of the state was on fire for months. Its a beautiful place in the good times, but when mother nature gets an attitude, Florida can be bad.
I never lived in real tornado country, I imagine that can be worse, we got some serious tornados in Florida, and I have been close enough to two
tornados to hear the "Freight Train" sounds that they do make, but Oklahoma and the mid west seem to live with tornado godzilla. (que Art)
My mind said: "freight train? there are no tracks near my house... FREIGHT TRAIN!!! TORNADO WHAT DO I DO? WHAT DO I DO?
my legs moved around, but I had no where to go. Got lucky they did not touch my house.
Here, it just rains a little most every day, and its chilly. So, not so bad...

Yep, that's pretty much the idea...

08/02/2011 03:26:34 PM · #14

Thank you all for the suggestions... It seems to be moving (the predicted path cone) more towards the North. I know of an area with a cool pier thing that is rather low and waves tend to crash over it during storms so I think I will head out there at least before the storm. Hope the lighting wont be dreadful. :)

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

08/21/2011 04:30:39 PM · #15

Bumping this thread for TROPICAL STORM IRENE...

Any other last minute ideas?

David Ey

Nikon D80

08/21/2011 04:34:46 PM · #16

Hold up an umbrella.....or golf club.

Message edited by author 2011-08-21 16:35:30.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/21/2011 04:46:08 PM · #17

Sunrise or sunset may be very impressive the day before and the day after the storm.
This looks like it may kick our butts if it stays on the predicted path, and gains a lot of power while coming across the open water. The Firday dot on the 5 day path forecast was right on top of my town this morning.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

08/21/2011 04:53:54 PM · #18

You could look at something like this. The tip, if you use a tripod at all, is to counterweight it to keep it stable.