George Schlossnagle
July 2024 - Super Cell - Oklahoma
About the Image(s)
Here's a photo I took on a week long storm chasing trip in the midwest last month. This is a panoramic capture of a large supercell (which didn't turn into a tornado) in Oklahoma, just south of Liberal, KS (home of Dorothy of Oz!). 8 image panorama, Sony A1, Sony 12-24/2.8 at 17mm, f18, ISO 50, 2.5", shot right around dusk.
Cool experience. We got hailed on pretty hard driving back to Kansas after this.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Dawn Gulino
Whoa!! Where to start on this one George. This is beautiful. There is great balance between the foreground and sky, the details of the lightening on the right top and right side and details in the clouds themselves. Nice job!
For the panoramic, was it 8 across? Or two rows of four? Given it was at 17mm, assuming 8 across.
As for the storm chasing, how was the experience? Did you go by yourself or with a group?
Posted: 07/07/2024 18:37:07
For the panoramic, was it 8 across? Or two rows of four? Given it was at 17mm, assuming 8 across.
As for the storm chasing, how was the experience? Did you go by yourself or with a group?
Posted: 07/07/2024 18:37:07
It was 8 vertical shots. I shot a lot of overlap because I was worried about stitching all the fuzzy or repetitive features.
For the tour, I went with a group. I used Action Photo Tours (who I've done a few workshops with and like). They in turn used Tempest Tours (a purely storm-chasing focused company) for all the planning, logistics, finding etc. in retrospect I probably would have had a pretty similar experience if I just went with Tempest directly.
The trip was great. It was /a lot/ of driving. We covered almost 3000 miles across 7 days, much of it on 30-40mph roads. Late starts but late finishes as well. It's also a lot of 'hurry up and wait', but often when the action starts you need to move quickly and be prepared to have to get back in the van very quickly to avoid the damaging parts of the storm. I don't know that I'll do it again (like running a marathon, you should probably ask me again in a year) but it was a really fun and unique experience. We saw supercells basically every day, lots of lightning, and two small tornados. For me it was an awesome experience. Posted: 07/07/2024 18:58:23
For the tour, I went with a group. I used Action Photo Tours (who I've done a few workshops with and like). They in turn used Tempest Tours (a purely storm-chasing focused company) for all the planning, logistics, finding etc. in retrospect I probably would have had a pretty similar experience if I just went with Tempest directly.
The trip was great. It was /a lot/ of driving. We covered almost 3000 miles across 7 days, much of it on 30-40mph roads. Late starts but late finishes as well. It's also a lot of 'hurry up and wait', but often when the action starts you need to move quickly and be prepared to have to get back in the van very quickly to avoid the damaging parts of the storm. I don't know that I'll do it again (like running a marathon, you should probably ask me again in a year) but it was a really fun and unique experience. We saw supercells basically every day, lots of lightning, and two small tornados. For me it was an awesome experience. Posted: 07/07/2024 18:58:23
Dawn Gulino
I've taken a few workshops with Action, some good guys. Thanks for the info on the pano, pretty impressive!
I personally like the lightning on the right side, my eye goes there, then the storm cloud brings me back to the left and all around again.
Tip, I just saw your response as you didn't "reply" to my comment. If you do, we get an email that you responded. if you do it from the bottom, we don't get notified! Posted: 07/23/2024 02:21:23
I personally like the lightning on the right side, my eye goes there, then the storm cloud brings me back to the left and all around again.
Tip, I just saw your response as you didn't "reply" to my comment. If you do, we get an email that you responded. if you do it from the bottom, we don't get notified! Posted: 07/23/2024 02:21:23
Sorry 8 in a single row, not 4x2. Posted: 07/07/2024 18:58:59
Sorry 8 in a single row, not 4x2. Posted: 07/07/2024 18:59:00
George
An amazing pano, and an amazing experience for you. I like the size of the cell but for me I find one distraction in the whole image and it is the lightning in the right hand side of the image. My eyes continue to be drawn to this. I hope you don't mind but , I cropped it two different ways. Posted: 07/16/2024 00:18:00
An amazing pano, and an amazing experience for you. I like the size of the cell but for me I find one distraction in the whole image and it is the lightning in the right hand side of the image. My eyes continue to be drawn to this. I hope you don't mind but , I cropped it two different ways. Posted: 07/16/2024 00:18:00
Here is the second version. I cropped in to draw attention to the middle of the image. Posted: 07/16/2024 00:20:21
Neil Bellenie
George, A truly astonishing picture. A very dramatic storm and the lightning reminds us of the power of nature. I like the balance of light and dark on the right hand and left hand sides of the picture and the gentle distortion of the short lens.
Amazing. I wouldn't mind a large print of this on my wall! Posted: 07/16/2024 04:05:40
Amazing. I wouldn't mind a large print of this on my wall! Posted: 07/16/2024 04:05:40
Jay Wong
Amazing, I felt a sense of oppression and tension in the photo! I really like the texture of the clouds in the top left corner. Posted: 07/17/2024 02:15:01
"Masterful"
I believe great photographs are plotted...planned. You demonstrate great creativity in the planning of this image. And I am glad you captured and retained the lightning. IMV, it adds to the authenticity of your image.
And regarding this kind of adventure; should you decide to do it again, make sure your affairs are in order!! Well done. Posted: 07/17/2024 21:29:53
I believe great photographs are plotted...planned. You demonstrate great creativity in the planning of this image. And I am glad you captured and retained the lightning. IMV, it adds to the authenticity of your image.
And regarding this kind of adventure; should you decide to do it again, make sure your affairs are in order!! Well done. Posted: 07/17/2024 21:29:53
Thanks Paul!
I tend to agree, though a very different part of this particular experience was that you had very little time to plan and compose with whatever foreground fate decided would be available. It was very challenging to have to think on the fly, look at what was available, and act quickly. Definitely out of my comfort zone, but fun. Posted: 07/18/2024 04:06:17
I tend to agree, though a very different part of this particular experience was that you had very little time to plan and compose with whatever foreground fate decided would be available. It was very challenging to have to think on the fly, look at what was available, and act quickly. Definitely out of my comfort zone, but fun. Posted: 07/18/2024 04:06:17
For me this is a very strong image that demonstrates the immensity and power of these kind of storms. I think you have done the contrast well with the dark black and grey of the storm cell compared with the dull green of the field in the foreground. I believe that the darker colors and lighting work well to create an imposing image (my first impression was to "duck for cover"). I also like the simplicity of having nothing in the foreground of the field as, for me, it helps demonstrate the storm cell itself.
I do agree with Darcy in that I find the lightning on the right side distracting. Posted: 07/23/2024 14:31:00
I do agree with Darcy in that I find the lightning on the right side distracting. Posted: 07/23/2024 14:31:00