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12-1-07
Wow, it's been quite a while now since my last post. There just hasn't been anything interesting enough to go after lately. I have also been putting buku hours in at work, so that may also have something to do with it.
Ever since last years extreme icing in the midwest I've really been looking forward to my chance at getting some shots like Mike Hollingshead has HERE and HERE. Some pretty incredible pictures there. NAM sort of jumped around a few days prior but finally settled on us receiving around 8" of total accumulation (ice, snow, rain, sleet).
The event started in the late afternoon on into the night. I was already planning on missing the daytime event so I wasn't TOO disappointed I wasn't able to snag any ice shots while it was still light out. Things still turned interesting anyway. I got home around 5:15, hopped on the laptop as soon as I could to check out the latest models and radar but didn't get very far. Power went out and stayed out for the remainder of the night. So, seeing as how freaking pitch black it is in the basement with no lights on I retreated back upstairs. I stepped out of the front sliding door onto the deck and right away heard a huge "CRAAAAAAAAACK!". I obviously knew it was a tree but I had no idea where it was. Well, as it turned out, it was the tree by the old house.
In a way, it's sort of sad to see this tree go down. It has been in the family ever since I could remember. When me and my brothers were kids, we used to play baseball out in the yard and over the tree was a home run. It also produced some pretty awesome colors in the fall. Anyway, the round shadow on the tree is from the lens hood. I should have taken it off.
So, since the power was still out in the entire town, I wanted a shot of the tree, but I HATE using flash except when I absolutely have to. I ISO'd all the way up to 1600, set aperture at f/4 and experimented. This first one believe it or not took so freaking long to get. Every time I'd open the shutter a car would come streaking by. The first few exposures were 30 seconds and the scene was entirely blown out with the ISO up like that, even in the pitch black darkness. That is my dad in this shot.
Same location, but my dad sort of ruined the shot. He wasn't aware that I started the exposure, hence the flashlight being pointed straight at the camera. I sort of liked this one though since the ice on the trees is more visible.
This was my favorite one. This time, I think the passing car actually helped my case. It's amazing how much light the sensor can pick up. Standing there in person, you couldn't even see the tree it was so dark.
Facing back the other way, toward the new house. That is the old shed. I was outside when the tree came crashing down on that also. I had to go underwear shopping the next day. That is all ice on the ground, not snow.
Finally, one without a passing car. I think this was an 80 second exposure, same settings as before, and it still turned out a little underexposed. Oh yeah, dad is posing again. Can't believe he stood still the entire time. From start to finish, we heard approximately 10 trees fall. My neighbor also had one on his truck. Some sounded very large, but couldn't find where they were. A car alarm also triggered after we heard one tumble.
Back at the house. Nothing too special going on here. In fact, not even really sure why I put this on the page. I guess I just thought that I didn't take many pictures anyway, so I might as well put them all up. Ice can be seen on the trees to the left I guess.
After sitting back at the house with nothing to do, I wanted to try for some more shots. I went driving around for around an hour trying to find more damage. I found this guy down on Ravine Street just down the road from my house. Rain drops sort of ruined my shots though. You can see the power pole completely sheared and the wire laying on the ground. This was at the bottom of a road we have always called "Dead Man's Hill".
As the night went on, temps started to rise and the ice started to melt. So, any chances for shots the next morning were gone. Well, I would have been at work anyway, so I guess it worked out.
The next day I had to get some more shots of the tree. So, more of the same, just with some natural light.
So, that was pretty much all I had. My buddy Joel actually snagged some pretty nice shots with his A620 too. I suppose I could have tried some like this too, but again, for some reason I HATE using flash. But, in his pictures they turned out really well. I think that is one advantage a point and shoot has over an SLR. So, anyway, here they are. I really can't narrate them since I wasn't there, but still pretty cool.
These next two are my favorites.
So, pretty interesting little storm! Even though it caused many power outages and damaged property, it is still exciting and interesting to finally have some action!