Bad Weather Equals Good Photo Opportunities

Along the James River during Hurricane Isabel (click to enlarge)
All images here are from pretty bad scans from high speed 35mm film.

Currently, we have a hurricane moving up the east coast of the United States.  Hurricane Hermine.  It will probably soon be downgraded to a tropical storm, but that doesn't mean much when you live near the open water.  Where I live, in southeastern Virginia, we won't take a direct hit (as currently predicted) but we will get significant winds, rain and flooding.  We should experience extremely high tides, tidal flooding, flooding due to extensive rain and lots of wind over the next two days.  That means downed trees, damage to property and everything coming to a halt.

Most people duck for cover, stay inside or leave the area when the weather is very bad, which would be the normal reaction from sane human beings.  Anytime we have unusually bad weather, I try to get out, if I can do it safely, and see what I can find to photograph. Safely is the operative word here.  Don't take unnecessary chances.  It is not worth your safety or your life.

Wind sweeping water across a pier (click to enlarge)

For most of my adult life I was a police officer and worked my way up through the ranks to police chief in two of Virginia's largest cities.  Because of that role I played in society, my responsibilities were not only to my family, but to every one else and their families as well.  So, when blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. hit our city, I was always out working, most of the time 18-24 hours per day.  I can tell you from much experience that when your children are small and a huge storm is approaching, they want their father at home where he can protect them (in their minds) from all things scary.  It is very hard to try to explain to your little ones that you have to leave them so you can protect everyone else.  They just don't understand that, but that is one of those little thought of roles police officers play in our society.  Not many thoughts or thanks for being out there, I can tell you.  But we had to be out there.

Homes along the James River during Hurricane Isabel (click to enlarge)

Most people photograph in only good weather or, at most, threatening weather, but are no where to be seen when the rain, snow and wind is present.  Most won't even get out during the golden hour at dawn.  Most photograph only during the daytime, wishing for a blue sky.  As we know, that type of weather makes for pretty, but ordinary photos.

If you can do it safely, there are many opportunities for excellent images during the worst weather.  Again, safety is the operative word.  So, if you can, get out in an intelligent way and make some images that will not only highlight your experiences in the bad weather, but also amaze your friends and family.

I've included a few of my old film based images taken while out working and checking neighborhoods during Hurricane Isabel several years ago.  Again, I had to be out there but there is nothing wrong with making the most of the situation by visually recording the event.

Here is one that I made at the end of Hurricane Floyd.  Sometimes it is beautiful just before or just after a major storm.

At the tail end of Hurricane Floyd (click to enlarge)
Nikon D700, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens @ 32mm; 1.6 sec. @ 16; ISO 200

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

All content on this blog is © 2013-2016 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.