Wendy, on storms, photography and inspiration
Hey Y’all, I hope you are well.
It is always a joy to meet and catch up with people who share your passion, always interesting to hear another’s perspective on a shared craft. With people finding photography through so many different routes, learning about the paths and journeys that people have taken can be both inspiring and educating! Wendy, like myself, is an avid storm chaser and nighttime star watcher. I caught up with her to ask a few questions about her relationship with photography, and her top tips for beginners for a bit of inspiration.
So, here it is for your full enjoyment!
Asking me my favorite type of photography is like asking which is my favorite child. My two main loves can be split into night and day. Anything after dark like milky way, star trails, moon rise, etc, and storm chasing. Astrophotography calms my soul. It is so peaceful out in the middle of nowhere and taking in all the stars in the universe & contemplating your role in the big picture. It still amazing to me how much more a camera can see compared to our own eyes. To think that so many people have never seen the milky way due to all the light pollution is disheartening. Storm chasing is definitely right up at the top as well. Unlike night shooting where you have time for your thoughts to abundant and reactive, chasing storms are a challenge and a rush where focus & situational awareness are paramount. When I’m on a cell, I’m only concentrating on my task at hand and not worried about anything else. Sometimes you get skunked, but the thrill of sweet victory from a successful chase is rewarding and fills you with a sense of accomplishment.
How and when did you develop an interest in photography?
4 months ago, I was too nervous and had never photographed people. One day I had the opportunity to assist an awesome photographer & friend named Lori Grace Baily from Lovelight Photography with a few portrait sessions. 2 weeks later I photographed a friend’s daughter and had so much fun I surprised myself. Then, a co-worker who had more faith in me than I did, asked me to shoot their outdoor wedding! This would not have been possible without the help from another amazing photographer & friend Karen Wright from Creative Exposures who introduced me to OCF. I’m really enjoying learning new genres & challenging myself.
What does photography mean to you?
I think I purchased my 1st DSLR in August 2016? My mother’s health was deteriorating, and she wasn’t able to get out, so I would take photos and show them to her in hopes of distracting her. Photography quickly became my form of therapy after she passed. It continued to motivate me to get outdoors and gain a new perspective. One of my most memorable and rewarding comments on one of my photos came from my mother’s best friend. She said she loved seeing the world through my eyes because she would never get the chance. For me, photography is my passion and sense of purpose. It about sharing & capturing moments for generations to come and ensuring that legacies live on in your photographs.
From your point of view, what makes a good image? One that makes you stop and stare!
I think a good image that makes me stop and look is one with overall balance. One that looks natural and not “over cooked”, where the composition is balanced with an interesting foreground, a point of interest for middle ground, and a pleasing non-distracting background. I’ve only recently begun really utilizing my histogram as well as highlight warnings to ensure I gather as much information of the scene as possible so I’m able to match what my eyes saw.
Among all of your gear and equipment, what is your favorite and why?
Out of all my camera equipment and gear, I would have to say my Lightning Trigger IV is my favorite. Providing my camera settings are right, it’s so much fun to let her rip and watch as it does its job. I just need more self-discipline to not chimp my photos until later, so I don’t miss anything. If I had to choose one favorite lens it would have to be my Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8. It’s so versatile & sharp for landscapes, milk way, star trails, and even storm chasing sometimes. I don’t regret any of my camera or equipment purchases. I enjoy having the variety to switch and try different lenses in new ways.
For those just starting out, what would you like to tell them?
If you’re just starting out with photography learn your camera and shoot as much as possible. YouTube is an awesome source for everything, have your camera charged up so you can go through it as you watch videos. I also highly recommend joining Facebook pages and attend shooting events. Remember, everyone had to start somewhere. Just go for it! You will get out if it what you put into it. I never knew I would meet so many amazing people when I started my photography journey. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Keep click’n!
Can you tell us something about your favorite image?
August 8, 2018, was the most memorable storm chase I’ve experienced in my short 2 years of chasing. I initially set out alone and then quickly ran into another storm chaser. We ventured southeast all afternoon and early evening. I eventually headed back towards Tucson and had to punch through a couple big storm cells. As I was on the outskirts of town, lightning bolts were dropping everywhere and slamming Tucson left & right. All of a sudden, the rain stopped. I checked my radar app and I was totally surrounded by storms, but one of my favorite shooting spots was completely dry. When I got there, I quickly set up two cameras and just stood there and took it all in as Tucson was lit up. This image consists of 5 photos which I over-layed in camera. Everything aligned perfectly for this shot, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
That’s a wrap…
Sometimes, as artists, hobbyists or amateurs it becomes necessary for an inspirational bump to come along and get us back chasing the thing we love. Wendy’s stories certainly reminded me why I fell in love with photography and have got me itching to head out back into the storms as soon as possible! I hope you enjoyed the interview and feel inspired to head out and get snapping.
If you are looking to meet other photographers or feel like you have plateaued and need some extra tips or advice, you can check out my workshop times, a great place to meet and get involved with other photographers, share stories tips and tricks.