Rainstorm advancing
Thunderstorm moving toward us (southwest of Gull Lake, Sk - 2014 August 04)
Thunderstorm moving toward us (southwest of Gull Lake, Sk - 2014 August 04)
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Mar, 2017Views
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Awards
People's Choice in The Calm Before the Storm Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
While we were out and about on a bit of a drive about in southwest Saskatchewan, a thunderstorm started to move in. I shot this photo southwest of Gull Lake, Saskatchewan (Canada).Time
I shot this at 3:34PM CST (2014 August 04).Lighting
It was overcast and getting dark as the ominous summer thunderstorm moved quickly into the area.Equipment
I shot this photo hand-held with my point-and-shoot camera - a Nikon COOLPIX P510 V1.0. The camera was set for automatic. The settings the camera automatically used for this photo were f/6.6 1/1250 sec ISO 100 Automatic White Balance, Exposure 0 step, focal length 18.7 mm, Pattern Metering.Inspiration
I was inspired to take the photo because I am rarely out and about in a thunderstorm. The sky and the oil pumpjack were inviting me to capture them. I was excited (and scared) of being outside the vehicle as the thunderstorm was quickly moving in and threatening to open the skies with moisture. I quickly shot a couple frames then got back into the vehicle just as the first drops of rain started.Editing
This photo was shot in JPEG. I used ACDSee Pro 6 to make adjustments to the exposure and contrast.In my camera bag
I have my Nikon D750, D200 and D5100 cameras in my bags along with my Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II,a Tamron SP 24-70MM F/2.8 Di VC USD, a Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens, Nikon f/2.8 105mm Micro f/2.8 lens, and a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens. I also always have my Samsung S8+ SM-6955W cellular phone with me (I like to use it when I want or need a wider angle photo.) If I am going to go for a drive to spend some time out and about shooting, I like to take all my cameras and lenses... you just never know what you're going to need. If I am going out to shoot something specific, I take my Nikon D750 along with the 70-200mm lens, 24-70mm lens, and depending what my shooting goal is, sometimes the 105mm lens.Feedback
My advice for others is to keep your batteries charged up, keep your camera(s) handy (you never know when an opportunity to shoot will arise), and to appreciate everything around you and to always look for photo opportunities. Then shoot, shoot, shoot.... shoot as often as you can. Take advantage of the lighting - when it is sunny or when it is cloudy or if rain or any other weather system is moving in, and play with your f stops. Take more than one photo... you can always delete it if it doesn't turn out. My advice is to try different camera settings and camera equipment as well. I was disappointed with how this photo turned out (with the point-and-shoot on automatic everything, it did not capture the true essence of what I was shooting.) I opened it up on my photo editing program and made a couple adjustments to exposure and contrast. Two adjustments to the photo gave me a completely different photo and captured the ominous strength of the incoming storm. I also converted the edited photo to black and white and was pleased. When you download your photos, don't discard the photo right away because the colour or composition isn't what you had wanted it to be. Try adjusting the lighting, exposure, cropping, etc, and also convert it to sepia or black and white... sometimes that may be the only adjustment you need to make to the photo in post-processing. Most important of all... always have fun!!!!
