647B72BE-FEC3-4313-B1D3-E018E36A68EE
Mar, 2018Views
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Fall Award 2020
Peer Award
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
St Augustine Beach, FloridaTime
It was in the afternoon and there was bad weather coming from the EastLighting
I have been a stormchaser for 41 years now, and ever since cellphones began to have more capabilities (built-in cameras), getting photos of violent weather or other phenomenon- such as this extraordinary event- has become much easier. No more lugging around my camera case, extra batteries or memory cards- or my old VHS recorder! The clouds parted for maybe 4 minutes... I watched in amazement what happened. I am always grateful when I can get pictures of those beautiful 'Kodak moments' for memory's sake, and even share them with others. Weather events have always fascinated me- when the clouds parted, it reminded me about a saying: Not to measure life by the breaths we take But by the times our breath is taken away... The surrounding area was a bit dark due to the storms, but when the clouds parted, it was as if someone were shining a big spotlight down at the water.Equipment
I used a Nikon Coolpix 3200. Whenever I photograph storms, I try to avoid making adjustments of my camera- there are times when I send photos to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida and they need to see photos that haven't been adjusted. When I became a Storm Chaser/Weather Spotter, I was trained to give accurate descriptions of winds, cloud formations & much more... to alter information about a storm can prevent authorities from making proper decisions to protect the public. I have known other individuals that have been interested in weather... however, many of them don't have the patience to watch and wait. That day, I was at the beach for a couple of hours before I got photos.Inspiration
When it happened, it affected me spiritually... Weather has always been FASCINATING! After I moved to Florida, I saw MORE violent storms, funnels, waterspouts & experienced the dangerous pulse storns... far more action than when I lived in the Midwest! I came very close to losing my life when the Storm of the Century came roaring across the US in March 1993. I was living on a sailboat at the time & was getting ready to go to the Bahamas, and make the islands my home - a funnel came within 120 feet of my boat & picked up ther Mayflower replica that was docked at the marina. A wind gauge that was about 2.5 miles away broke at 105 knots... nearly 121 mph winds. My boat was blown over & the top of the mast hit the water- I was down below deck holding on. In all, I spent about 24 hours aboard. My small rowboat sank (but was tethered to the boat) and all I could do was keep my life vest on. The winds continued to be very strong- 84 to 93 mph. When the Mayflower 2 broke loose from the dock, it was picked up 13 ft & impaled on a CONCRETE piling on the North dock of the marina & wedged between 2 boats that had families living aboard. That storm is called a Derecho, the most violent storm ever experienced in the US. I have a LOT of respect for Mother Nature... the weather can be beautiful at one moment, then turn deadly the next!Editing
No... the light in the photo is exactly the way I saw it at the beach that day...In my camera bag
I always have my Samsung Galaxy S7 (but I have to switch to the S8 due to ongoing issues that cannot be resolved). I also carry my IPad Air 2- it takes great photos as well. I still have my Nikon Coolpix, however the rechargeable batteries need to be replaced. For 27 years, I have NEVER gone out without a camera- because there is always the chance of seeing something! I didnt like the bulky VHS recorder, even though I could zoom in on whatever I was filming... holding that monster steady on my shoulder was not easy!Feedback
Take your time and BE PATIENT- it is a waiting game... unless you are taking action photos, such as a football or soccer games. The colors from a sunset, shadows moving across the land... whatever you are wanting to capture, so many different elements can transform that object or landscape. When you see something that looks incredible, take the picture from THAT SPOT... if it looks good at that angle/distance, then it should look good in a photo. Take a slow & deep breath before you push the button, so the image isnt blurry. If you don't get the shot, don't give up. There are many opportunities to take photos & your persistence will pay off. Another thing- take time to examine very tiny objects... amazing photos can result!
