Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: mitchdob on July 27, 2009, 12:06:42 am

Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on July 27, 2009, 12:06:42 am: All, just returned from photographing storm systems in the mid-west.
Some new images are under the "Storms" link on my website (ie: 10 images).

Website is: http://www.mitchdobrowner.com (http://www.mitchdobrowner.com)

Honest feedback would be greatly appreciated. It helps a lot.
Note: Should have a few more images to upload over the next few weeks.
Much thanks. - Mitch
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Sheldon N on July 27, 2009, 01:09:35 am: Great stuff! I've loved your desert images and it's good to see you branching out into new subject matter. You've really brought the same drama into the Storm images that you had with your desert landscapes.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: wolfnowl on July 27, 2009, 01:25:58 am: Yes... I've long been fascinated by clouds; you have some great work!

Mike.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: francois on July 27, 2009, 08:39:35 am: Mitch,
You'be been producing another stunning serie. Wall Cloud is oppressing, taking my breath away and it is my favourite (a hard choice as the other photos are top notch also).
Title: Storm systems
Post by: button on July 27, 2009, 10:17:19 am: Very powerful images. Thanks for sharing.

John
Title: Storm systems
Post by: RSL on July 27, 2009, 10:32:58 am: Wow!!!
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 27, 2009, 10:35:17 am: Mitch,

These are just as stunning as your previous work. They have an other-worldly quality that is absolutely gorgeous. When you get a few more, maybe there will be another LensWork spread, and possibly another portfolio?

Eric
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Luis Argerich on July 27, 2009, 10:36:45 am: Fantastic, incredible, beautiful!

Thanks!!
Title: Storm systems
Post by: cmi on July 27, 2009, 12:39:44 pm: I like them very much, they appear powerful and dangerous. What was disturbing me is not so much about the images but about the website. These images (I checked only these) are partly very dark at the corners, and on a black background, so a border or something like that would be good. Also the navigation is a bit awkward, having to click first on the arrow, and then on the new small image. Maybe there is another way I overlooked?

I like #3 "Mothership", #4 "Cornfields" and #9 "Saucer" most. In #2 I wish for a bit more ground, but not sure.

Christian
Title: Storm systems
Post by: shutterpup on July 27, 2009, 12:47:37 pm: I thought I was the only one with navigation issues as I looked at the series. I too am a sky watcher. These are great! I especially liked Mother Ship and Saucer. This makes me want to take a look at what I can do in B/W with my storm cloud collection. Inspirational!
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Colorwave on July 27, 2009, 01:14:42 pm: Powerful images of some amazing natural phenomena. How much time was invested in capturing these photos? Was this one storm system, a season's worth, or a career of storm watching? With the variety of formation it is hard to tell.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: EdRosch on July 27, 2009, 02:31:03 pm: As with everyone else, I'm very impressed with the quality of your images. I did want to ask, most of your images give the impression of being shot from a high vantage point. Are you using an aircraft, very good at finding exactly the right overlook, or very good at composing and cropping to give the illusion of having shot from altitude?

However you do it, it does enhance the otherworldly look of your work. I would also comment that your image of Shiprock is the single best image I've ever seen of this postcard standard.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 27, 2009, 02:36:18 pm: Quote from: EdRosch
I would also comment that your image of Shiprock is the single best image I've ever seen of this postcard standard.

Mitch's Shiprock views are the only ones that really excite me. I strongly recommend his Lenswork portfolio -- great images really cheap!

Check it out here. (http://www.lenswork.com/specialeditions/lwf-012.htm)

Eric
Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on July 27, 2009, 04:41:23 pm: Hi All... in reply to the questions:

1. Christian: You're right... the website navigation needs some work. But the easiest way to navigate is to use the left/right arrows on the keyboard to go forward and backwards.

2. Colorwave: The series was shot in a 10 day span. Traveled 5700 miles during over 10 states (South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado).

3. EdRosch: Shot with my 2 feet on the ground. Lightning strikes and up to 70mph winds being the biggest obstacles.

4. Eric, luigis, rsl, button, francois, wolfhowl, Sheldon, shutterpu - thank you for taking the time to comment. Its appreciated.

- Mitch
Title: Storm systems
Post by: bob mccarthy on July 27, 2009, 06:00:50 pm: You get more out of a Sony point and shoot than anybody on the planet. Saw your work at Afterimage in Dallas.

Shows it's not all about the camera.

Inspiring,

bob
Title: Storm systems
Post by: popnfresh on July 27, 2009, 07:23:59 pm: Absolutely stunning work. What are you shooting with these days?
Title: Storm systems
Post by: dwood on July 27, 2009, 09:48:02 pm: You've done a terrific job of capturing the energy, beauty and sheer physical size of these storm systems. They're fascinating to look at. I'd love to see the prints. Some of your shots suggest that you were fairly close to the belly of the beast. I'm guessing that you may have had a few "what am I doing out here right now" moments. Anyway, nicely done.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Kirk Gittings on July 27, 2009, 11:11:47 pm: Superb as always. keep it up!
Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on July 28, 2009, 01:52:28 am: popnfresh - I shoot with Sony R1s. I have 2... one stock and the other IR capable. Choose which to use based on lighting, weather and subject.

Bob, Kirk, dwood - thank you taking the time to comment. It all helps. And honestly never had a "what am I doing out here right now" moment.
I was too in awe of what was happening in front of me.

- Mitch
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Ray on July 28, 2009, 03:24:46 am: Absolutely fabulous! I particularly like "Rotating Storm" with a lightning strike in the left part of the image. There are many others I like. You are wonderfully dedicated to your art.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on July 28, 2009, 05:47:38 pm: Thanks Ray.
Added another image onto the site (added as attachment to this thread). Comments welcome.
Thanks again. - Mitch

[attachment=15760:Mitch_Do...er_Rings.jpg]
Title: Storm systems
Post by: shutterpup on July 28, 2009, 05:51:39 pm: Mitch,
I am a resident of NE Oklahoma; you were just way too close for that shot you just posted! Good work!
Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on July 28, 2009, 06:22:28 pm: Yea, never made it to the NE side of OK... but was in the NW portion of the OK panhandle for a few days. Note: This image was shot in Valentine Nebraska on July 13th. This storm was rated by the NWS as the most powerful storm in the continental US so far this year. 70mph updrafts; most likely a tornado somewhere in the downdraft, all the hail and rain - just couldn't see it. It was an amazing sight. The picts don't do it justice. - Mitch
Title: Storm systems
Post by: jasonrandolph on July 29, 2009, 05:09:25 pm: Mitch:

The new work is quite stunning. It's a nice change of pace from your earlier work, which is also quite good.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Peter McLennan on July 29, 2009, 09:45:12 pm: On viewing "Wall Cloud, Davidson Wyoming" my first words were: "WOW! F&%k! Oh My Gawd!"

All of it fabulous, Mitch. Must have been a heck of a trip.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on July 31, 2009, 06:52:09 pm: Peter/Jason.. thanks.

Adding a last image into this thread. The rest I figured I just put up on the website (still going thru what I shot during the trip).
I appreciate all the comments. Feel free to let me know if you see anything that you feel needs adjustment or help. Its much appreciated.
Thanks again. - Mitch

[attachment=15817:Mitch_Do...al_Cloud.jpg]
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Colorwave on July 31, 2009, 06:58:08 pm: Awesome! Literally. I don't think I've ever seen a cloud formation that looked as much like a nuclear mushroom cloud as that one.
Title: Storm systems
Post by: Peter McLennan on July 31, 2009, 08:25:54 pm: Mitch, were you ever frightened by what you were seeing?
Title: Storm systems
Post by: AndrewKulin on August 01, 2009, 08:27:22 am: I would never be able to take shots like those. My wife would make me get the heck out of there!

Fantastic stuff.

Andrew
Title: Storm systems
Post by: ProPhotoInsights on August 05, 2009, 06:49:23 pm: Wow storm clouds/skies are one of my favorite subjects and we get our fair share in the UK but rarely as dramatic as these...stunning stuff!
Simon
Title: Storm systems
Post by: peteh on August 07, 2009, 10:40:43 pm: Quote from: Ray
Absolutely fabulous! I particularly like "Rotating Storm" with a lightning strike in the left part of the image. There are many others I like. You are wonderfully dedicated to your art.
I love your work! And they say NO Aliens on Earth ?
Title: Storm systems
Post by: mitchdob on August 17, 2009, 08:05:22 pm: Pete; Peter; Andrew; Simon.... not scary (though I saw some scared people around) - just amazing watching mother nature.

Added 2 more recent images to the post.
Finally had a few minutes this weekend to continue going thru what I shot.
Thanks again for the input. - Mitch

[attachment=16083:Mitch_Do...s_Clouds.jpg]

[attachment=16084:Mitch_Do...nt_Foot_.jpg]
Title: Storm systems
Post by: JeffKohn on August 18, 2009, 12:20:19 am: Quote
Added 2 more recent images to the post.
Finally had a few minutes this weekend to continue going thru what I shot.
Thanks again for the input. - Mitch

Really excellent. The clouds in that last one are amazing. The first one's great too, is that infrared?