As it is becoming increasingly challenging to come up with monthly challenges that meet our true MAE criteria, I am pushing the scope of the January 2025 challenge somewhat by viewing this s 'Experimental'......
I have always appreciated the mood and options created by bad weather - most often as photographers were prefer to seek our light in relative comfort and miss out on the beauty bad weather can bring.
This month's challenge comes as result of a Christmas gift - a book of the work of Christophe Jacot (Lost in the Beauty of Bad Weather) I have long admired, and something that has provided renewed inspiration for me.
This challenge is twofold.
1) Review the beautiful work of Christophe on the following site;
https://christophejacrot.com/en/
2) View bad weather over the coming month NOT as a reason to stay indoors but as an option to embrace the options rain/snow/fog/darkness etc has to offer.
I am excited about seeing results (also post past images if available) - while we cannot expect results anywhere near those of Jacrot I think capturing the mood of our environments in these conditions will help us all grow as artists.
I'll leave you with a few of my own past attempts, I am hoping to improve on these over the coming month.
Great challenge Alan!
As most of us know limitations are a great way to stretch and grow as artists.
I've always found that the limitations of weather are some some of the most challenging and rewarding.
Chris' book is a great example of creating art in less than optimal weather.
Alan always your images are so much fun to see and explore. You did not post one of your snowy barn images in this challenge but there is one that I always love. You know the one I am talking about... The birds in the roof line of the barn. Perhaps not "bad" weather but fabulous none the less.
The first of your example images is so strong in mood, composition and subtle depth. Great work!
PS -apologies for the low-rez of this post. I am migrating technology right now and the original file is not available now. Soon I hope.
Thanks for posting Julian. Was this shot taken recently? The reason I ask is that I was quite close to you last month (Delhi and Guwahati/Assam) and the air was thick, just like your image.
Unfortunately, I was there for a family event so my camera had to stay at home and I was left to taking opportunistic shots on the iPhone.
I have included the image you speak of, I'd be interested to see if others agree with you. (The image was taken in the midst of a snowstorm, with Doves(?) taking shelter on a barn roof).
Until today, I had not encountered Christoph’s works, which I find impressive. However, I can mention Todd Hido, who works similarly and inspired me to venture out during storms, rain, and snow—or the dense fog, as seen in this photograph.
Thanks for your input, Alvin. I had not heard of Todd Hido to plan to take a deeper look at his work.
There is a similar photographer by the name of Teo Crawford I profiled some time ago on my website blog you may be interested in.
I am not sure if Teo remains as active on YouTube but found his videos and work very enjoyable.
Here's a link;
https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/influencers-teo-crawford
I love bad weather photography, and would love to photograph in it. I guess my only issue has been its effects on my camera as I'm not at the income level that I can sacrifice any gear. How do you all deal with camera vs the elements?
I typically take a common sense approach. Fog is not really an issue, and snow I tend to wipe of and try and keep the camera & lens as dry as I can.
Rain is a different beat. I have used my iPhone on several occasions (which can withstand light rain), and have planned to use a ziplok bag over my DSLR camera (although have never done so.....).
That said, my DSLR is on the cheaper side and getting pretty old now, so rain damage could force me to treating myself to an upgrade :-).
Many of Christophe's shots and other work I have seen has been taken from behind glass (as in the car window in my B&W shot), so that, along with umbrellas, overhangs etc are other avenues to explore.
My feeling is that the key step is to commit to getting out, and once you do so balance risk with best judgement.
Forgot to mention, thank you for the link to Christophe Jacot's work. I'm enjoying it!
Glad to hear it!