Navigating a Convergence

[Jeremy Perez]

Hi folks,

It turns out I'm going to be visiting Elk City, OK, during a potential severe-weather day this coming Monday (MAR 23). If it turns out to be a good setup, I'll be attempting my first chase that day.

I've tried to read everything I can on chasing etiquette, but there's a topic I haven't encountered yet. If by some miracle I get on a good storm and I encounter a load of chasers parked on both sides of the road, is it poor form to continue driving through and possibly intrude on somebody's video or photography? I know that if I were trying to get clean photos/video I would try to park on the side of the road nearest the storm. However, I've seen quite a few shots of convergence groups photographing & gawking from both sides of the road. I'm grateful for any thoughts or experiences about that.

Here's hoping for some good opportunities next week.

 

[Heather Moser]

I say just drive through. If the chasers want a picture or video without traffic in it then they can walk to the other side of the road.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Yes, its the ones on the side of the road that need to be considerate. Although I would try to avoid driving through a convergence, its to avoid any hazards in the road or slow downs from congestion, not to avoid ruining someone's shots. That's their problem.

 

[Steve Miller]

Roads in that area (like most other chaseable areas in the plains) are gridded in one-mile intervals. My advice is watch for the convergence and stay a mile away. You'll get a similar, if not better, shot and not have to deal with the BS.
Chaser convergences during a chase makes no sense to me. Maybe it's the fear of making the wrong move on one's own or a follow the leader thing that keeps everyone balled up in a mile-long inconvenience. Not sure. I stay completely clear of them if possible.

 

[David Drummond]

A good photographer/videographer learns to position the camera so that the shot does not contain elements he/she does not want in it. As someone said, they can walk across the road.

That said, if your out walking around a chaser convergence, try not to walk in front of someone's tripoded camera. I can't tell you how many times I had a tripod set up for 30 minutes trying to shoot an hour of a storm moving by to later timelapse, only to have it ruined by some goober who walked in front of the camera.

If you pull up to talk to someone that is out shooting at night, do them a favor and shut off your headlights when you pull up and stop, so you don't ruin their lightning shots. You're not being helpful by "giving me some light".

 

[Jeremy Perez]

Great points all. Thank you!

That's pretty much what I figured--I just wanted to check in.

I definitely prefer the idea of keeping clear of a mob. I figured these sort of things happened due to local terrain issues and people clustering around higher, treeless vantage points. I wasn't thinking about the follow-the-leader scenario, which should be simpler to keep clear of. Hopefully, my first go at this can materialize around the favorable terrain and road network around western Oklahoma.

I really enjoyed this, David: You're not being helpful by "giving me some light".

'Helpful lighting' situations happen pretty regularly at public star parties too--it's a never-ending education process.

Thanks again.

 

[Darren Addy]

If you pull up to talk to someone that is out shooting at night, do them a favor and shut off your headlights when you pull up and stop, so you don't ruin their lightning shots. You're not being helpful by "giving me some light".

Being aware of headlights is a good thing, but a lot of today's vehicles' headlights are on as long as the key is on (car running).

I've seen some cases where headlights unintentionally added to a low light photo (not the same as total darkness that David was talking about) such as these two by Ryan McGinnis.

(/derail)

 

[Mikey Gribble]

If you want to avoid the large numbers of chasers just stick to the back roads. I prefer back roads anyway since you can navigate in closer to the updraft base. There are rarely more than a few cars around you. I remember when I was chasing the tornadic storm by Hill City and thinking there was hardly anybody on the storm because I had only seen a few cars. Then I had to get on a paved road and it was like the staging ground for the Thanksgiving Parade. The DOW and TIV were out there along with 200 other chasers. If it's not muddy and you have gps or a good map I would definitely give it a try at least.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Thats why I cant wait for my all terrain mud tires to arrive. So I can enjoy a muddy backroad to myself while all those who hate on "big redneck chasemobiles" have to keep their little 4-bangers on the main roads with everyone else and promote being "green" while they stumble over tripods.

Convergences are easy enough to avoid though by doing what others have said. Many times you can see the same storm from a mile down the road.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

Get as close to the tornado as possible...there's only bound to be one or two other chasers in there

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Get real close to David Drummond. No one else will be there, but there are some other more dangerous elements that may strike you.