Storm Chasing the Plains - 2010 Edition

jamesl

Howdy Everyone,

Once again, it's come time to post a few pictures from this years storm chasing season. I really didn't have many opportunities this year. However, those that I had ended up being spectacular. Technically the season is not yet over, but most of the storms are too far north for me. Here's a few highlight images from this year:

(EDIT: I've had several requests for purchasing prints of these images. I've updated them with links for doing so. Thanks!)
(EDIT2: I've added a couple of new lightning images that I was able to extract from my video)
(EDIT3: Here's a link to the video I was shooting during the storm a lot of these images are from)
Storm Chasing Time Lapse


Lightning extracted from my hv20 video camera.


Lightning extracted from my hv20 video camera.


Lightning extracted from my hv20 video camera.


Beautiful shelf cloud near Boise City, Oklahoma
To buy: http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#935706078_zcF2v


Anti-cyclonic supercell near Glass Mountains State Park in North West Oklahoma
To Buy: http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#936712037_Wc2KR


Amazing striated supercell near the town of Putnam, OK
To Buy: http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#936655523_hNzLN


Another shot of the same cell
To Buy: http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#P-3-15


Super wide angle shot of the cell as it gets near us. We had to leave a few minutes after this, as we were about to get caught up in the hail.
To Buy: http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#936710317_Rw3Nf


Closer shot of the cell showing the leading edge of the mesocyclone. You wouldn't want to be anywhere near that center area at this point.
http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#936710821_LuPYA


Yet another shot of this amazing cell. Getting close to sunset now, so the colors were amazing.
http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#936711211_zkeSj

Thanks for looking!

James

ront

WOW, absolutely incredible pictures!!!!

I think you guys are nuts!! I don't mean that bad at all. What a thrill this would be!! Thanks for sharing your work!!

Ron

Yosem

impressive
talk about the perfect cloud scenario for a perfect image. I don't think your nuts at all, if I was chasing that cloud for an image I wouldn't think twice about it. The shots are powerful enough already heavens forbid you had some kind of a foreground for the images. Nice captures

DoctorIt

Bravo! Colors, lines, composition - stunning!

I'm guessing some of these are stitched panos, but a few just look like very well framed ultra wide shots... care to share a bit of your skills/technique?

SimpsonBrothers

Amazing!

gecko0

Fantastic shots!!!!!

jbakerphoto

Dont think I can say much more then WOW!!!!

bgarland

Outstanding! Those are some scary looking storms. Perfect captures.

schmoo

I really, really, really want to do this one year! Your work is always so inspiring

I don't know what your secrets are to catching these things, but your dedication really shows.

jamesl

Thanks for the comments everyone! Schmoo, you would really be discouraged by the number of times we fail at chasing vs getting shots like this. Our odds are improved by the fact that my friend Zack is a great forecaster, and can get us to the right place where things will hopefully happen. All I can say is that if you do go out, make sure you give yourself a week or so to ensure you have a chance at something good. Also, make sure you are ready to drive a lot. ;-)

I should have included technical details previously:

Shot with Canon 30D and 10-22 lens with a circular polarizer. Most all at F16. I bracket pretty much everything now, so most are -/+ 1 1/3 stops. I shot all of these with the camera in vertical orientation, and most were 10 to 12 mm, so these are really wide views. In processing, I generally end up stitching 3 sets of panos in PTGui Pro. I then run these through Photomatix using either Exposure Fusion or HDR Tone Mapping. I keep this processing light, as I try to keep things looking realistic. I use CS4 for the final processing. Throughout the entire workflow, I keep the files in 16 bit TIF format, as this really helps when you push the shadows.

Thanks again!

James

Eia

As I viewed each one they got more intense! The last ones are down right scary but that very last has some awesome color.

BradfordBenn

Amazing.

DoctorIt

jamesl wrote: »

I should have included technical details previously:
....

Thanks very much, James

jpc

Absolutely amazing. Good grief.. I didn't even think "HDR" until I read your post. Excellent application of the technique. You nailed it! Wow...

I just took a look at your site and your landscape pics are so good that I'm actually pissed off. Amazing work.

aktse

Stunning

bowbowbow

The 48th Ronin

Excellent work!

Milan

Stunning !bow

Ridgetop

Wow.

Darren Troy C

W O W !! !! !! !!

du8die

WOW is an understatement. You need to get the Discovery Channel following you.

My wife is from KS - we live in WI now, but I'm hoping to get out there during chase season some time. We always seem to get there in July - right after the storms have moved north.

jamesl

Thanks you guys. It is very appreciated! I just wish photographs could really translate into what it is like to experience these storms. They are incredible, powerful beasts. I actually have a bit of video from my last chase, if you are interested:

http://www.langfordphotography.com/Storm-Chasing/2010-Season/July-12-Last-Chance-Chase/12917668_rzkH9#933610526_ohG92-X2-LB

I'm glad to hear that the HDR processing was not too noticable. I try to do it that way, but don't really know if it works.

Thanks again,

James

javierplumey

Phenomenal shots, especially the last one.

David_S85

James, always glad when you post your work. The WOW :jawdrop factor on this set is just incredible. I am in awe. Seriously.

Yetishot

What more can be said. Just incredible! If I took shots like that my friends would be bowing at my feet!bow

ian408

Amazing what these storms produce in the way of power. Visually, they're stunning too.

Tango

Excellent!

jestoos

James, when will these be available on your site for purchase?

bwg

amazing photos, but your 'for sale' section doesnt have a buy button

ShutterStaci

Dream Subject!

jamesl

Thanks again everyone!

Jestoos and BigWebGuy: I'm terribly sorry. I have been transitioning the panos on my site to use Bay Photo, but had not yet turned on my for sale area. I have now done so, and I've updated the original post with links to buy them. You can also find them here:

http://www.langfordphotography.com/For-Sale/New-Site-Panormaics/9004552_UgJtR#935706078_zcF2v

David, thanks man. Any time you are down in this area, give me a shout and maybe we can go chasing.

James

Sexy6Chick

I don't even know what to say..these are AMAZING!! Just wow!!