Bad Weather? Don't Run And Hide, Get Out There!

Sunrise Fog over the New River in southwestern Virginia (click to enlarge)

There has been lot of bad weather lately, especially in the United States.  That is to be expected in the northern hemisphere as it is the middle of winter.  The recent extreme snows and Arctic temperatures have caused much misfortune for many here and around the world.  This bad weather is unfortunate for those who lose their homes or even the lives of some.  The upside is it is good for photographers.

Photography is about light.  It is also about emotion, gesture, shape, contrasts, shadow, etc., etc. We've all read the list before.  It seems most inexperienced or casual photographers wish for those beautiful sunny, cobalt blue sky days to get out and photograph.  In other words, only the best light.  Alternatively, some wish for days with a lot of puffy, white, cumulus clouds.  Both of those conditions are great for making photographs—like millions of photographers make.  Ordinary weather is good for ordinary images.  Extraordinary weather conditions allow us to make extraordinary images.

During Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (click to enlarge)

Bad weather is when we need to go out and photograph.  When you talk about light, emotion, gesture, etc., it is all there during a blizzard, fog, thunderstorm, high winds, hurricanes, flooding, etc.  Most people go inside and hide from the bad weather.  Good photographers seize the opportunity that bad weather brings to make those images that can be extraordinary.

If you can go out safely—and I highly emphasize SAFELY—I suggest you go out during bad weather and look for those extraordinary things that are happening to bring back extraordinary images.  Look for what the bad weather has changed.  Look for how people react and move around during the bad weather.  Look for everything that you don't find during good weather.  Roiling skies, heavy downpours, people running for cover, etc., all make for interesting images.

Clearing storm at Cape Blanco Lighthouse (click to enlarge)

Let me emphasize again—SAFELY!  Only go out if you can assure yourself that you can be safe.  No one wants to get injured, hurt or even a life lost just to get an image.  

I've gone out many times over the years during tropical storms, blizzards, rain storms, flooding, etc.  The images are right before your eyes.  You really don't have to hunt very hard to find them.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.


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