severe weather photography

[freybear3]

most of us in the midwest today are going to be getting nailed by severe weather later on.


I was wondering if anyone else is going to be photographing these storms?

[RexK_Cozumel]

be sure to stay safe out there.

[dcclark]

I'm in the north, but we're getting it too -- I'm hoping to do some more time-lapse sunset photos, with the trailing remains of the clouds, if things clear up in time!

[freybear3]

thnx, i am only going to chase locally today.I have an event with my daughter to attend to today. So i am only chasing/spotting locally today.

Heck, where i am, we have a very good chance of tornadoes today, but the sun isn't even out to feul the storms here. (yet) so i doubt we will get anything good here.

I do storm chase, just not today, lol

daughter is more important than chasing

[BryanC]

It seems it wasn't as severe as they were forcasting for. Hopefully, there will be some lightning tonight! I have always loved a good thunderstorm.

[freybear3]

Hi Bryan,


Good to see a fellow Illinois photographer


Yes, I agree. I think if the sun was out (not here) than it would be a whole different situation. It would of heated up the area and intensified the storms. Since the sun did not come out here, i think it will not be as severe, if severe at all, lol

Down south of us though, I am unsure on their status, but if the models are correct, they are going to get nailed pretty good. I was just looking at the radar, and it looks like it is starting to blossom south of us. (I am in Northern Illinois) If i was out chasing today, i was thinking about going south west of Peoria.

[BryanC]

Originally from the city, good amount of time in the south suburbs, some in NW burbs, far west (DeKalb county) for past 10 years now. They are again now forcasting possible severe for tonight, so will be tracking! One of my missions is to get some great lightning images. And of course, a tornado or two would be cool. Harmless, non-damaging ones of course.

[BryDeeC]

I'm from the Chicago area too, but I don't think I'll be doing any stormchasing today!

[freybear3]

Hi,

Rockford here


It is storming pretty good here, under a tornado watch for another hour or so and a thunderstorm warning for another 45 minutes. If your in Dekalb, be careful they are sayin 70+ MPH winds are heading your way. In the next 30 minutes.

I tried getting some lightning photos earlier, doubtful they turned out. I am going to download em to the computer here in a few after the storm passes through. I have yet to get a decent lightning photo yet


Any tips on how to photograph lightning? I can't seem to get my settings right.

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by freybear3

Hi,

Rockford here


It is storming pretty good here, under a tornado watch for another hour or so and a thunderstorm warning for another 45 minutes. If your in Dekalb, be careful they are sayin 70+ MPH winds are heading your way. In the next 30 minutes.

I tried getting some lightning photos earlier, doubtful they turned out. I am going to download em to the computer here in a few after the storm passes through. I have yet to get a decent lightning photo yet


Any tips on how to photograph lightning? I can't seem to get my settings right.

It was a little wild...not a good time to be out with a camera. I would like to see what you took...as for tips, there is info on this site as well as all over the net. The basics that seem to work well are: manual focus at infinity, a tripod, long shutter or 'bulb' setting, larger aperture, and luck. Just point toward the part of sky where lightning keeps happening and keep clicking away. This is for night time. Day time is a little different. Getting longer exposures without over exposing. ND filters and smaller apertures I believe are suggested.