Severe thunderstorms are expected in the Western Cape on Monday. Image: iStock.
Weather photographs take centre stage
Weather photographs have become one of the most popular types of media out there. But are they safe to take? Here’s more.
Severe thunderstorms are expected in the Western Cape on Monday. Image: iStock.
Weather photographs have become one of the most popular types of media out there, according to discussions on photo sharing websites like Flickr.
South Africa has had its share of extreme conditions before, including thunderstorms. Eager photographers – or ‘storm chasers’ – have turned storm photography into a unique artform that few people have the courage for.
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Weather photographs are taking centre stage for many artists who use photo-sharing platforms, and South Africa is an especially popular country for taking images of extreme events.
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Here’s more about the ‘storm chasing’ craze, and why it’s not just anyone who can go out and take pictures or footage of a storm.
Weather photographs take centre stage
Photographs of extreme weather events have become popular on file-sharing websites like Flickr, where people go to share (and sell) images of thunderbolts and lightning.
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Thousands of images are loaded to the platform every day, with many of them originating from South Africa – where the country is known for some intense lightning and thunder events.
It can be a dangerous pastime, with photographers often willing to brave potentially fatal conditions for a perfect image.
Would you get close and personal with a storm for a snapshot?
Storm photographs: are they dangerous to take?
For a professional photographer, it’s much easier (and safer) to catch images and footage of storms or events.
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According to the weather service, extreme conditions like thunder and lightning can be dangerous – and sometimes fatal.
Just because it’s potentially a good selfie, doesn’t mean that you should expose yourself to a potential lightning strike!
Yes, it can be very dangerous.
While you’re welcome to take photographs of a storm, it’s safer to seek cover and never stand in open territory amidst the storm.
We love cool footage, but we also love life!
