Final days to vote for Weather Photographer of the Year!
Here's a closer look at a few of the finalists -- and more importantly -- the stories behind them.
Published Sep 23, 2020 9:32 PM EST
AccuWeather has partnered with the Royal Meteorological Society on their "Weather Photographer of the Year" 2020 contest. (Read the press release here). As a weather photographer and meteorologist, I was thrilled to be a judge, and winners will be announced later this Fall, but you can pick your favorite during the public voting this week. (Voting ends on Sept. 25 @ 23:59:59 (UTC+1.)
Some of the finalists set for public judging of the Royal Meteorological Society's "Weather Photographer of the Year (2020)" contest.
RMetS
Here's a closer look at a random few of the finalists -- and more importantly -- the stories behind them, something that's often missing with millions of photos uploaded to the Internet and shared with dell phones every day. (To see the stories behind all the finalists shown in the collage above, click through to the WPOTY website). NOTE: As these photos are from all over the world, please forgive minor errors in translation.
"Lavaredos-Gloria" by Alex Wides, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites, Italy
RMETS
In this amazing 360-degree panorama the moon illuminates the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo), as well as the fog and cloud that surrounds the cross on top of Mount Paterno. A magnified shadow of the photographer and the cross is also cast onto the fog below, an optical phenomenon called a "Brocken Spectre."
Photographer's Story: "The Tre Cime of Lavaredo is illuminated by the Moon that reflects a Spectrum of Brocken behind me; on the cross of Mount Paterno (2,746 mt) the Ursa Major is captured on the highest peak and the headlights of the climbers to illuminate their ascent to the summit. We spent over 30 days analysing the weather, studying the path, hypothesizing the weather conditions… But in the mountains what do you want to assume? Nothing. We wanted to start with clear conditions, high pressure forecasts and so we did. August 10, we decided to start with the best possible conditions. Four hours of walking and climbing to reach the summit, full of fog, that it felt a bit frustrating after all that effort. The sun set and the peaks are shown from time to time. There were a few opportunities to take home something really good, so we dined and waited for the night, hoping for some miracle by nature. At about 23:00, the fog curtain lifted to what I can consider one of the most beautiful shows I have ever seen in my life, the madness of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo illuminated by a powerful moon, with Jupiter on his right, above the highest peak, where I could see the headlights of climbers who climbed quickly to enjoy this magic."
"Tea Hills" by Vu Trung Huan, LongCoc Tea Hill, Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam
RMETS
It looks like a Microsoft Windows Desktop wallpaper image -- but this alluring but peaceful scene was captured on a misty morning in Vietnam. I've never wanted to be standing at one place on Earth more than in the particular location of this photo at that very time.
Photographer's Story: "Lost in the fairy scene. Long Coc tea hill has mysterious and strange features when the sun is not yet up. Hidden in the morning mist, the green color of tea leaves still stands out. Early in the morning, holding a cup of tea, taking a breath of fresh air, Watching the gentle green stretches of green tea hills. It is true that nothing is equal! For those who love nature, like to watch the sunrise, when standing on the top of the hill, you will the most clearly feel the transition between night and day. A large green land suddenly caught in sight. When the sun is up, everything is tinged with sunlight, on the tea buds there is still glittering morning dew, a pure beauty that makes you just want to embrace everything."
"Blizzard" by Rudolf Sulgan, on the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, New York.
The best photos make me feel like I was there when they took it, as if I were having their experience. "Blizzard" does this for me. I feel the chill of the winter air, the snowflakes hitting my face, and the people enjoying the snow, with older folks remembering previous snows and children just forming memories that will last for years. The framing is impeccable and pleasing. It captures that moment when snow is falling so hard that it adds a ghostly, otherworldly essence to your surroundings.
Photographer's Story: "I made this image in 2018, during a strong blizzard as El Nino’s periodic warming of water often disrupts normal weather patterns. My main concern and inspiration is that my images hopefully do a small part in combating climate change."
You looked at this mysterious photo several times, trying to figure out what it was, didn't you? I did too. It is actually the top of a skyscraper in the fog, viewed from a drone above. Drone photography, which I started doing in 2012, is a wonderful new way to capture the weather.
Photographer's Story: "For a very long time, I have been hatching the idea of this photo. I wanted to take a photo of the tallest skyscraper in Europe, shrouded in morning fog. But for this shot I had to wait a long time for all the weather conditions to coincide. I regularly monitored the weather and looked into the city cameras to make sure that all shooting conditions were favourable for the intended shot, since I live very far from the shooting location. When everything coincided, early in the morning I called a taxi, arrived at the skyscraper, raised the drone as high as possible and took this picture."
Hundreds of thousands of lightning strikes hit the Earth every day, and with modern conveniences like smartphones that can capture the slow motion of lightning seeking out its pathway, it seems that lightning photos are a dime a dozen. But professional photographers can capture something the cell phones cannot, a crisp snapshot in time with otherworldly colors and clarification, and this shot a great example of that.
Photographer's Story: "I tried many times to catch a good lightning strike behind this rock called Sa Foradada, but every time I tried, the conditions were not so good. I didn't have the moon on the sky to illuminate the scene, or the lightning was too far away. This night I knew that a big storm was approaching Mallorca and all the conditions were perfect. I don't remember if the moon was full, but I remember that it was very big. This was perfect, because the moon was going to illuminate all the land and the sea and gives more colour to the scene. I chose my composition, and I shot many pictures until the storm fell on me. This is one of the pictures I took that night in Sa Foradada. To see the storm and the lightning that night was something amazing."
"Frosty Bison," by Laura Hedien in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.
RMETS
There's one animal I wouldn't want to mess with! Having never been to Yellowstone, I can't quite imagine what it would feel like to be there, but this photo is the next best thing.
Photographer's Story: "We were touring the west side of the Park. It was a very cold sunrise, the coldest of the week so far. It was near zero degrees Fahrenheit. We came around the corner in our snow coach and saw this magnificent bison just sauntering down the road as if they owned the Park and they do! Keeping the required distance from him/her we hopped out, grabbed some photos, and quickly got back in the vehicle and watched as she/he walked about five feet right past us. It was as if we were not even there. It certainly added to the ghost-like event."
"Just Walking in the Rain," by Adrian Campfield, Waterloo Station , London, England.
RMETS
A picture, as they say, is worth 1,000 words. This photo may look innocuous at first, but enlarge this one, check out the detail, and you'll feel that you are there, in this downpour. See how the rain cascades off of the roof. Can you hear it? Can you smell the "rain smell?" You can imagine how the lone lady with the umbrella feels. We've all been caught in that sudden downpour that reminds us how fresh things can become during a sudden shower, even in the city.
Photographer's Story: "My wife and I were standing on the platform waiting for the train at Waterloo Station in London, England. We had been walking around London for the day taking photos and were on the way home. Without any warning, the heavens opened and the storm broke thunder and lightning everywhere. We both ran for cover under the platform shelter as did all the other waiting passengers. I saw this lone woman walking towards me with the umbrella up and I had enough time to get the camera ready. I zoomed in a little, set the speed at 1000/iso to freeze the falling raindrops and this was the result."
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Weather Blogs / WeatherMatrix
Final days to vote for Weather Photographer of the Year!
Here's a closer look at a few of the finalists -- and more importantly -- the stories behind them.
Published Sep 23, 2020 9:32 PM EST
AccuWeather has partnered with the Royal Meteorological Society on their "Weather Photographer of the Year" 2020 contest. (Read the press release here). As a weather photographer and meteorologist, I was thrilled to be a judge, and winners will be announced later this Fall, but you can pick your favorite during the public voting this week. (Voting ends on Sept. 25 @ 23:59:59 (UTC+1.)
Some of the finalists set for public judging of the Royal Meteorological Society's "Weather Photographer of the Year (2020)" contest.
Here's a closer look at a random few of the finalists -- and more importantly -- the stories behind them, something that's often missing with millions of photos uploaded to the Internet and shared with dell phones every day. (To see the stories behind all the finalists shown in the collage above, click through to the WPOTY website). NOTE: As these photos are from all over the world, please forgive minor errors in translation.
"Lavaredos-Gloria" by Alex Wides, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites, Italy
In this amazing 360-degree panorama the moon illuminates the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo), as well as the fog and cloud that surrounds the cross on top of Mount Paterno. A magnified shadow of the photographer and the cross is also cast onto the fog below, an optical phenomenon called a "Brocken Spectre."
Photographer's Story: "The Tre Cime of Lavaredo is illuminated by the Moon that reflects a Spectrum of Brocken behind me; on the cross of Mount Paterno (2,746 mt) the Ursa Major is captured on the highest peak and the headlights of the climbers to illuminate their ascent to the summit. We spent over 30 days analysing the weather, studying the path, hypothesizing the weather conditions… But in the mountains what do you want to assume? Nothing. We wanted to start with clear conditions, high pressure forecasts and so we did. August 10, we decided to start with the best possible conditions. Four hours of walking and climbing to reach the summit, full of fog, that it felt a bit frustrating after all that effort. The sun set and the peaks are shown from time to time. There were a few opportunities to take home something really good, so we dined and waited for the night, hoping for some miracle by nature. At about 23:00, the fog curtain lifted to what I can consider one of the most beautiful shows I have ever seen in my life, the madness of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo illuminated by a powerful moon, with Jupiter on his right, above the highest peak, where I could see the headlights of climbers who climbed quickly to enjoy this magic."
"Tea Hills" by Vu Trung Huan, LongCoc Tea Hill, Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam
It looks like a Microsoft Windows Desktop wallpaper image -- but this alluring but peaceful scene was captured on a misty morning in Vietnam. I've never wanted to be standing at one place on Earth more than in the particular location of this photo at that very time.
Photographer's Story: "Lost in the fairy scene. Long Coc tea hill has mysterious and strange features when the sun is not yet up. Hidden in the morning mist, the green color of tea leaves still stands out. Early in the morning, holding a cup of tea, taking a breath of fresh air, Watching the gentle green stretches of green tea hills. It is true that nothing is equal! For those who love nature, like to watch the sunrise, when standing on the top of the hill, you will the most clearly feel the transition between night and day. A large green land suddenly caught in sight. When the sun is up, everything is tinged with sunlight, on the tea buds there is still glittering morning dew, a pure beauty that makes you just want to embrace everything."
"Blizzard" by Rudolf Sulgan, on the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, New York.
The best photos make me feel like I was there when they took it, as if I were having their experience. "Blizzard" does this for me. I feel the chill of the winter air, the snowflakes hitting my face, and the people enjoying the snow, with older folks remembering previous snows and children just forming memories that will last for years. The framing is impeccable and pleasing. It captures that moment when snow is falling so hard that it adds a ghostly, otherworldly essence to your surroundings.
Photographer's Story: "I made this image in 2018, during a strong blizzard as El Nino’s periodic warming of water often disrupts normal weather patterns. My main concern and inspiration is that my images hopefully do a small part in combating climate change."
"Steel Star" by Yuriy Stolypin, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
You looked at this mysterious photo several times, trying to figure out what it was, didn't you? I did too. It is actually the top of a skyscraper in the fog, viewed from a drone above. Drone photography, which I started doing in 2012, is a wonderful new way to capture the weather.
Photographer's Story: "For a very long time, I have been hatching the idea of this photo. I wanted to take a photo of the tallest skyscraper in Europe, shrouded in morning fog. But for this shot I had to wait a long time for all the weather conditions to coincide. I regularly monitored the weather and looked into the city cameras to make sure that all shooting conditions were favourable for the intended shot, since I live very far from the shooting location. When everything coincided, early in the morning I called a taxi, arrived at the skyscraper, raised the drone as high as possible and took this picture."
"Sa Foradada Storm" by Marc Marco Ripoll, Viewpoint Sa Foradada, Italy.
Hundreds of thousands of lightning strikes hit the Earth every day, and with modern conveniences like smartphones that can capture the slow motion of lightning seeking out its pathway, it seems that lightning photos are a dime a dozen. But professional photographers can capture something the cell phones cannot, a crisp snapshot in time with otherworldly colors and clarification, and this shot a great example of that.
Photographer's Story: "I tried many times to catch a good lightning strike behind this rock called Sa Foradada, but every time I tried, the conditions were not so good. I didn't have the moon on the sky to illuminate the scene, or the lightning was too far away. This night I knew that a big storm was approaching Mallorca and all the conditions were perfect. I don't remember if the moon was full, but I remember that it was very big. This was perfect, because the moon was going to illuminate all the land and the sea and gives more colour to the scene. I chose my composition, and I shot many pictures until the storm fell on me. This is one of the pictures I took that night in Sa Foradada. To see the storm and the lightning that night was something amazing."
"Frosty Bison," by Laura Hedien in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.
There's one animal I wouldn't want to mess with! Having never been to Yellowstone, I can't quite imagine what it would feel like to be there, but this photo is the next best thing.
Photographer's Story: "We were touring the west side of the Park. It was a very cold sunrise, the coldest of the week so far. It was near zero degrees Fahrenheit. We came around the corner in our snow coach and saw this magnificent bison just sauntering down the road as if they owned the Park and they do! Keeping the required distance from him/her we hopped out, grabbed some photos, and quickly got back in the vehicle and watched as she/he walked about five feet right past us. It was as if we were not even there. It certainly added to the ghost-like event."
"Just Walking in the Rain," by Adrian Campfield, Waterloo Station , London, England.
A picture, as they say, is worth 1,000 words. This photo may look innocuous at first, but enlarge this one, check out the detail, and you'll feel that you are there, in this downpour. See how the rain cascades off of the roof. Can you hear it? Can you smell the "rain smell?" You can imagine how the lone lady with the umbrella feels. We've all been caught in that sudden downpour that reminds us how fresh things can become during a sudden shower, even in the city.
Photographer's Story: "My wife and I were standing on the platform waiting for the train at Waterloo Station in London, England. We had been walking around London for the day taking photos and were on the way home. Without any warning, the heavens opened and the storm broke thunder and lightning everywhere. We both ran for cover under the platform shelter as did all the other waiting passengers. I saw this lone woman walking towards me with the umbrella up and I had enough time to get the camera ready. I zoomed in a little, set the speed at 1000/iso to freeze the falling raindrops and this was the result."
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