This is a sight not often seen in Phoenix, Arizona. This short but violent storm even spawned a funnel cloud which fortunately did not touch the ground. Photo t...
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This is a sight not often seen in Phoenix, Arizona. This short but violent storm even spawned a funnel cloud which fortunately did not touch the ground. Photo taken from my front yard.
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1501
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Gray Day / Storms Brewing Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Categories
Steve-n-Ning
December 15, 2019
Thank you. Phoenix is in the high desert (1100 feet elevation), and our weather is rather unique. We rarely get the kind of storms that rain for multiple days. Instead, we get storms that are very violent but which last a short duration. The storm in the photo was in and out in perhaps 20 minutes.
Steve-n-Ning
December 23, 2019
Thank you. As I said in the comments above, this storm was rather rare for Phoenix and the shape of the storm clouds was amazing.
Leahsmithphotography
January 09, 2020
My mom lives in Mesa!! I’m heading that direction this spring to visit. Love suggestions for great photo places
Steve-n-Ning
January 09, 2020
Hi. Thank you for the Awards and Likes. My favorite places to shoot around the general Mesa area are the Phoenix Zoo and the Botanical Garden, both of which are in Papago Park in Phoenix. East of Mesa are the Superstition Mountains and Goldfield. Also east is Tortilla Flat, a popular spot which affords a great drive and vistas yet is not too far out there. I hope you have a great time.
Steve-n-Ning
March 22, 2020
Thank you. I simply stepped into my front yard, saw the storm, and grabbed my camera. Storms like this are unusual in Phoenix.
AnnHopta
November 27, 2020
Thank you for joining my challenge 'All Kinds of Weather'. Voting is now open and your vote would be appreciated. Thank you and good luck! Ann
JayneBug
December 02, 2021
Powerful image and amazing clouds. Congratulations on your award and wonderful capture.
Steve-n-Ning
December 02, 2021
Thank you so much. The special feature of the photo is the rarity of such storms in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.
Steve-n-Ning
January 21, 2022
Thank you. I shot this from my front yard during a relatively rare violent storm in Phoenix.
Steve-n-Ning
April 29, 2022
Thank you. It's always nice to open your front door and be confronted with such a dramatic scene.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken from our front yard facing North.Time
Late afternoon.Lighting
Natural light was used. Because it was late afternoon, we got direct sunlight on the foreground palm trees.Equipment
Canon EOS 5D Mk IV with a Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens. The camera was hand held.Inspiration
Violent storms are a rarity in the Phoenix, Arizona, area, so you have to photograph them as quickly as possible once they form. This storm developed quickly, dropped its rain, lightning and reportedly one tornado, over a brief 15 minute period. Then it dissipated.Editing
Post-processing was done in Adobe Lightroom and was limited to cropping and level adjusting.In my camera bag
My Canon EOS 5D Mark IV always has my Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens mounted on it. That is my go-to lens for the majority of my photos. I also carry several lenses: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. I try to shoot with natural light all the time, but on those occasions where I need an external light source, I use either a Neewer CN-216 LED panel or a Canon Speedlite 580EX. I have tripods by Slik, 3Pod and Manfrotto. Of course, we have our cell phones with us always.Feedback
If you live in an area like Phoenix with rare but rapid violent storms, be prepared to grab your equipment quickly and get the best shots possible.