Chasing the Storm – The Archives Remastered

Storm chaser at Kallo
Storm chaser at Kallo

-18.11.2015-
It’s interesting to realize how your own ideals of photo editing change with time. Recently I went through my storm chasing archives and noticed the look of the photos was quite different compared to what I prefer today. Basically I felt the old pics were too contrasty. Is this change a result of personal growth or unconscious mimicking of trendy photo editing styles, that I don’t know. In any case, currently I prefer flatter style. Here are a few photos I shot when chasing the Tapani Storm. I revamped them closer to my current liking.

Uniluoto
Uniluoto

 

Storm chaser at Kallo
Storm chaser at Kallo

Boxing day 2011 – The Tapani Storm
Deep low pressure developed in Atlantic Ocean and raged through Norway and Sweden. In Norway the storm was named Dagmar and it was said to be one of the strongest of all time. Winds gusted there almost 45 m/s.

26.12.2011 the low pressure reached the coast of Finland and still produced exceptionally strong winds. In Kaskinen wind was measured 28,5 m/s and strongest gusts at
35,8 m/s. Winds like this occur once or twice in decade in Finland, said meteorologist Juha Tuomala according to Helsingin Sanomat newspaper.

In some point during the day the average wind at Kallo was around 25 m/s and gusts over 30 m/s.
In some point during the day the average wind at Kallo was around 25 m/s and gusts over 30 m/s.

So, how different were the photos before and now? Not that much really, but one can see a difference. There’s a chance you’ll like the first edits better. In the end it’s a matter of taste. Here’s an example.

8.7.2012 I was driving home after a busted storm chase, I stopped by the dock and saw this bench which just didn’t fit in the scene. I thought it would make a nice image. All I needed was someone sitting on the bench. Since no-one was around I sat there myself.
Just when I sat down, I realized it had been raining the whole day. Very refreshing… and then I repeated it seven times to get it right.

2012 Edit
2012 Edit
2015 Edit
2015 Edit

 

 

 

 

 


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 The island of Kallo

 

Obsessions

Isojoenranta railway bridge 24.8.2011.
Isojoenranta railway bridge 24.8.2011.

Maisemassa.com is all about obsession. When your brain is tuned certain way, you tend to automatically frame every situation and scenery in 3:2 aspect ratio.

Aesthetically beatiful image is not an absolute measure. At least I don’t see it like that. I have my own standards, and they are constantly changing. Of course some practises tend to stick; golden ratio always seems to be a safe bet when composing a photo. A little boring but safe. Of course you have to think outside the box from time to time. That said, the visual balance is one of the most important ingredients when talking of photography. Symmetry in one sense or another. When it’s lacking, the picture just feels wrong.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to emphasize the composition too much. You can’t ignore an intriguing subject or top-notch post-processing. But if the composition is unbalanced, the image is not satisfactory for me. And I’m rarely truly satisfied with photos I take. That’s my obsession number one.

Misty morning at River Kokemäenjoki 9.9.2011.
Misty morning at River Kokemäenjoki 9.9.2011.

G.A.S

My second obsession is Gear Acquisition Syndrome wikipedia: Gear Acquisition Syndrome ). I’m always looking for my next camera or other cool cadgets. Luckily my budget is very limited, which keeps the lid on G.A.S. But that doesn’t stop me from following tech blogs.

Behind the Lens

”Straight out of the camera” is a nonexistent method for me. Final aesthetics of a photograph or a video is always the result of premeditated post-processing. Even though analog film photography is rare nowadays, photography is still handwork, now even more than before. It’s just not as messy as in the old days.

Personally I love to know what happens behind the lens. As well as in the shooting location as during the post-production. Wanting to learn new stuff all the time is an obsession everyone should have.