I apologize if this is the tenth time someone has seen this, but hopefully its not too repetitive yet!
My name is Katelyn Pfeister and I am a senior photography student as Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.
For my final credits of my degree, I have been given the opportunity by SIUC to photograph a documentary series on storm chasing, tornadoes, and the effects that weather has on towns and families in the Midwest for an independent study course from January 2010 to August 2010.Growing up in the Midwest, tornadoes and severe weather have always fascinated me, and I am extremely excited and honored to have been given this opportunity by my college.
I will be researching weather and tornadoes until the spring, when I hope to join as many teams of storm chasers as I can, and document their experiences through summer. I'll be studying by textbook, as well as online and getting trained in Skywarn and refreshing my first aid and CPR certifications. If I am able to get enough time out chasing, I am hoping to publish a book of photographs including my images. I have never been storm chasing, but have been fascinated for years.
This documentary is not about the tornadoes! While that would be an excellent bonus, this documentary is about the differences between storm chasing teams (scientific VS. spotters, younger VS. older teams, large groups VS small, etc.) as well as the social impact that tornadoes have on communities in the United States. (basically, I'm trying to state that while I find tornadoes absolutely fascinating, I am not a new "Storm Chasers" fanatic looking for a free ride out chasing...)
While I am working with Southern Illinois University to try and obtain undergraduate grant money, the likelihood of this happening is very slim. SIUC is currently under a spending freeze, and there is talk that the university may not be able to make payroll for faculty, staff, and student workers, including myself. Therefore I cannot afford to simply pay for a tour group. I am aggressively writing letters and emails to as many people in the scientific, academic, and media communities as I can including local and Chicago news stations, as well as scientists and professors who have participated in this project in the past (I see a few familiar names around here...).
I'm not above camping (love it actually, have own gear) or sleeping on hotel floors (a chaser suggest I add that, awesome idea!). I don't complain, am a dedicated individual, and am driven by adrenaline and things that normally scare the daylights out of people (I love to skydive).
Ideally, I would love to dedicate my entire spring/summer bumping around different groups of storm chasers, as a few of you have graciously offered me spots on your teams (I cannot THANK YOU ENOUGH!). I am always looking for more teams that can help me out (I can give you or your team copies of photos for your own promotional use in return, help drive, whatever will help you out).
If anyone would be willing to help me out with this documentary, I would greatly appreciate it. I am hoping that this documentary will launch me into my career as a photographer (wherever that may be, although I am trained in traditional studio/commercial/portraiture).
You can also follow this project online at
http://katelynpfeister.blogspot.com/ (under construction for now)
Very Sincerely,
Katelyn Pfeister
[email protected]
NOTE: SIUC is allowing me to take their equipment into the field with me. This includes the following equipment (plus more not listed):
-Multiple Canon 30D digital cameras (and up)
-Multiple Canon "L" glass, and non L glass lenses (wide angle too!)
-360 degree tripod (allowing for 360 degree photographs in one image)
-multiple heavy duty professional tripods and monopods
-35mm, 120mm, and large format film cameras, with digital backs
-multiple flash strobe heads, stands, and set up
(This is off the top of my head... I WON'T BE BRINGING THIS ALL, its and idea of what I have access to, and I'll have access to a lot more....)
-I am also in the process of getting permission to take a high end HD camera from the cinema department to capture footage, if given the chance.
Finally, I'd just like to say that this is legit. I've talked to a few people on here (for a great length of time I might add), so a few of you have become quite familiar with me and my endeavors. Please post so others don't think I'm crazy.
Thanks again! -Katelyn