What Type of Camera and/or Lenses Did You Use?
Canon 7D with a Canon EF-S 55-250 mm lens.
What Was the Weather Like? What Was the Lighting Like?
It was a pretty crazy storm, I remember driving home from a neighboring town in western Nebraska and seeing this mass of a cloud approaching from afar. I can remember having my camera on hand, so I decided to take a detour on some country roads and see if I could get a step ahead of the storm. It was almost intimidating, as the cloud was a huge rolling mass that was consuming everything in its path. Funnel clouds were visible all over the place, and the winds had began to pick up. I got this shot and then just sat and waited to see if I could capture a tornado. Before I knew it, golf ball-sized hail and high winds consumed our area, and you couldn't even see 5 feet in front of you. It was by far the craziest storm I'd seen or been in, and it ended up spitting out a tornado that damaged multiple homesteads.
Advice
- Always have your camera on hand, you never know when you'll see something amazing.
- Be expecting the best pictures, at the most unexpected times.
- Take multiple pictures of the same scene, it gives you more chances for that perfect shot.
What Type of Planning Was Needed to Set Up This Photo?
I had to be one step ahead of this storm, as the cloud was moving fast, and I knew the best results would come if I caught it at a distance.
Why Is This One of Your Favorite Photos?
The fact that I caught a lightning bolt on the side, my shutter speed was high and I wasn't using a tripod, so the chances of catching the lightning bolt were slim.
What Did You Learn About Photography With This Photo?
I learned that the best pictures always come at unexpected times. I had no idea this storm was going to be this cool. I was just driving about in the country and saw it coming, so I picked a good spot, pulled over, and began shooting.
