Everybody knows the popular saying “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and if you are not a Texas native there is no doubt that is one of the first things you’ve noticed. However, when you think bigger, you think more land, wider spaces, bigger highways, bigger buildings, bigger steaks, but would you think bigger weather? Texas may not get snowstorms, but when it rains it pours, and hails! In fact, over the past couple of days the DFW Metroplex has experienced hailstorms with hail nearly the size of golf balls! The wind and lightening during Texas storms can make for some fascinating shots, too, if you are into photographing the weather.
Some Tips for Photographing Weather
Photographing weather can be fun. Texas weather can be calm and beautiful, edgy, exciting, and threatening all in the space of a few hours. One tip is to always be prepared! Here are a few other tips to get you started:
Cameras: When it comes to cameras, versatility is the magic word. The more versatile your camera, the better. Some things to look for include the ability to override automatic exposure, spot metering to control exposure, zoom lens or a variety of lenses, Single Lens Reflex (SLR), filters, and a lens hood (helps reduce flare from the sun).
Filters: Four of the most useful filters include a skylight filter (provides clearer images by cutting through the haze); an ultra-violet filter (blocks the UV rays and is similar to a skylight filter but stronger); a polarizing filter (provides the ability to increase the contrast between the background sky and clouds); and a graduated neutral density filter (decreases harsh bright light).
Tripods: Tripods can be indispensable when shooting pictures in certain conditions such as nighttime photography, twilight conditions, any dull lighting conditions, and especially for photographing lightening.
ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:
Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas, TX, studio for more than 20 years. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75226. Contact our office at (214) 746-6336 or email Doug at doug.davis@d2studios.net.