The Art of Weather Photography

Jacci Ingham

A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Renowned Australian nature photographer Jacci Ingham shares her passion for chasing storms and reveals her secrets of mastering the art of weather photography.

In this comprehensive guide, Jacci teaches you everything you need to know about capturing your own landscape and lightning images. She clearly explains the equipment used, and details the camera settings for the various times of day and meteorological conditions.

The Art of Weather Photography is full of dramatic photographs that capture the moods, expressions and colours of a monsoonal climate. You will soon be capturing your own images like a professional photographer!

 

About the Author

Hello! My name is Jacci Ingham; I am a weather and nature photographer in Australia. I live in Northern Territory’s capital city, Darwin.

My lifelong passion has been to capture the drama and spectacle of the Australian wet season and share my experiences and journey with others. Since I was very young I have had a fascination with nature and science, particularly weather and climate. It is through this lifelong interest, a little artistic ability and dedication to that interest, that I am where I am today.

I started my weather photography as a hobby around 9 years ago with a cheap 8 megapixel point and shoot “happy snapper”, still popular with many people today. I quickly became addicted to the pursuit of lightning and thunderstorm photography after my first half decent lightning photo with my point and shoot camera. It was like a drug and I soon become addicted to it. My first good lightning strike was an experience I shall never forget. It was a day time lightning strike I managed to capture in late 2003 with my point and shoot camera and a flimsy $20 tripod.

Being a low income earner it was about 4 years before I was able to afford my first entry level DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera). It was a Nikon camera with two kit lenses, a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom; at that time around $800. With my new DSLR the real fun began and a sense of freedom unfolded with my new ability to apply full manual adjustments and experiment with various settings.

I consider myself very lucky to live in this part of the world. The natural attractions, sparse populations and vastness of untouched country make it a true last frontier. Darwin is well known as a lightning hot spot and has a reputation for producing world class electrical storms. It is also a region of major interest to meteorologists and international academics striving to unravel the scientific mysteries of our erratic thunderstorm activity and the great Australian monsoon.

Today, with my family I run a nature photography gallery in Darwin called “The StormBird Gallery” and I am regularly able to pursue chase opportunities out in the field. I absolutely love what I do. I have met many amazing people along the way between the cheers, the bust chases, and the odd close calls with lightning strikes.

What a wonderful journey!