Over-Competative Chasers...

[terra seright]

There are some chasers who are trying so hard to sell their photos and videos that they refuse to even point out what they are looking at to those who don't have the same level of experience. It's like you think that if someone sees what you are looking at, they will steal your shot!

I am a volunteer spotter. I have no pix or vids up for sale. I have no contact info on my Spotter Network profile. If I take a photo, it is for my eyes and those of my friends...personal use. I am not, by any means, a threat to those of you who are out there with your big fancy cameras.

Heaven forbid I ask what we are looking at, though. I know some of you and know that if I ask, I will get an answer...however, there are some of you who I have asked questions about areas of concern within a storm, who just gave me a smirk. This is disappointing. I am trying to learn, particularly, so that I can be a better spotter for the NWS. Being in the field and getting a real time view of what we are looking at and understanding it all is a really good way to learn.

How many of you have either refused to answer questions, or given a crappy answer to someone who was asking? When you won't let someone ride with you or follow you (some won't unless they get paid), and you won't answer questions they may have when they run into you, how can you expect to have no mistakes or false reports?

 

[Steve Miller]

So I take it you had a bad experience with one or two "chasers" and you are now rolling all chasers into one stereotype?
Why don't you expand on what exactly happened that makes you despise those of us who make $ chasing and have fancy equipment? Maybe this will shed some light on things and we can help you with your perception.

 

[Bill Tabor]

Interesting observation / assessment...not sure I could agree but then I am not usually asking others questions out in the field. I'd say that is a stereotypical statement and believe me every chaser is truly an individual with their own motivations and rules / habits. I can believe someone may have treated you this way, but that shouldn't imply all chasers are this way. Myself...personally I am always happy to educate and inform the public. Last chase there were several folks asking about the storm and their safety as far as driving a certain direction, etc and I helped them as much as I could. It is true I believe that many chasers are competitive. To me it reminds me of a big fishing contest...who can pull in the biggest Bass and bragging rights! We all try to make a little cash on the side. However like I say, I haven't really experience in this regard except when I was a newbie chaser 15 to 17 years ago so I probably can't address how helpful / educational other chasers are. I have heard stories that other chasers have been a bit cold until they knew whom they were talking to and then they got friendlier. Sometimes other chasers don't want to talk to individuals because they are VERY busy. The storm environment is highly dynamic and we have a million things to do: watch the storm, photograph / video, plan our escape routes, communicate with team and media on the phone, radio, download radar, fix computer errors...and on and on. I often chase alone and with all I do I am very often overwhelmed - literally. Sometimes I am in a bit of a panic because of it and stress and anxiety can be high. Different people react to stress in different ways. Hope this helps address your question / topic.

 

[Derek Weston]

Just one incident. Most chasers are 'friendly' enough and don't mind answering questions if they have the time.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Terra,

Without knowing the specifics of your not-so-friendly experience, it's hard to comment on what transpired. I'm not encouraging you to air the story...I'm just saying that it's a pretty dynamic situation so it's hard to address the specifics of what you experienced.

While there certainly are a few chasers out there who's primary focus is nothing more than getting the money shot (which is totally cool...we're all in it for different reasons), I've had yet to run into anyone who's a real you-know-what.

As a newbie with only 2 years of chasing under my belt, I am very cautious about approaching someone when the game is on and we're in full-on chase mode. Like Bill said, we're often very busy and it's very easy to be completely consumed with the task at hand. Sometimes, a conversation can be difficult...especially if you don't know how long it will last. (not you, but we've all run into people that will talk your ear off and then you can't get away) So when the heat is on, I mostly stick to my own gig, but will certainly talk to fellow chasers around me if it looks like they want to chat about the storm. But generally, out of respect, I tread lightly.

With that being said, everyone I've ever run into has been very friendly, and if I did run into someone who was a real jerk, I'd just shrug my shoulders and go back to enjoying the storm and the great outdoors. There's just too much to enjoy...

Bryan

 

[Joshua Nall]

Heaven forbid I ask what we are looking at, though. I know some of you and know that if I ask, I will get an answer...however, there are some of you who I have asked questions about areas of concern within a storm, who just gave me a smirk. This is disappointing. I am trying to learn, particularly, so that I can be a better spotter for the NWS. Being in the field and getting a real time view of what we are looking at and understanding it all is a really good way to learn.

Maybe they didn't know what they were looking at

 

[Skip Talbot]

Its a two way street, as I'm sure there are spotters who hate chasers invading their town, or getting in their, and wouldn't give them the time of day. There are always jerks in every group of people, though. Terra, you'll find the majority of chasers to be friendly and will not shut up about the weather when given the chance to talk about it. There is just some common courtesy, like if someone is filming they probably don't want dialogue on the audio track. If someone is busy they need to focus on what they are doing.

I'm always friendly and engaging with people who come up and ask me questions. The only time I'm not is if I'm too busy. At a gas station in Iowa on April 6, everyone at the gas station was asking me if they would be alright if they went this way or that. I was falling behind the storm which was moving at a ridiculous pace so I had absolutely no time. I couldn't even find a road to keep up with the one tornado warned storm I was after, so I knew these people wouldn't be driving into it. I told them all they were fine and jumped in the van and peeled out of there.

On Friday in Nebraska I spent a long time talking with a local spotter about the setup, showing him the satellite, telling him how Spotter Network works. I gave him a tour of my van and equipment and asked him about how their counties handles reporting and chatted about previous setups in the area. He thanked me over and over for spending the time to talk with him.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Heres a thought, actually learn the stuff before heading out there. Nobody owes you anything.

Some chasers want to make extra cash so what? Its not a cheap hobby especially for those of us who don't live in the plains. I don't get why people think its such a bad thing for someone to want to make money doing the one thing they love. If chasing is just a hobby for you to share with yourself and your friends so be it, but others don't see it that way.

Now personally for me I am always willing to share information, this is common courtesy and a gesture of friendliness, but if someone comes up to me EXPECTING me to do anything...well, Im just the type of person to do the opposite out of spite.

Although Josh makes a good point, maybe they didn't know either. The ratio of seasoned chasers trying to make a buck VS people that don't know what they're doing is about 1 to 20 these days.

 

[terra seright]

No, I am not rolling all chasers into one stereotype. This is why I my opening statement was "There are some chasers...." I am talking about some chasers who I have had experiences with, and some who I have heard about. I do know some and have asked for info during down times, and been answered just fine.

I am also not one who will run up and ask a barrage of questions, especially when I can see that someone is busy. The last time was out on the highway north of Allanreed...and all I asked was what part was of biggest concern. I saw plenty of rotation, clear slot, etc., and nothing really stood out to me. Yet everyone was looking in one direction. I asked some guys, and no one said a word. They all just stood there and grinned. Then I went and asked another group and they pointed it out for me.

I am not the only one who has had this sort of experience. Some of my fellow spotters have been treated similarly.

I am not downing those who have the big fancy cameras and use them to make money. My apologies for the way that came off when I said it. It was meant to show that those of you with fancy equipment are obviously not just there to take a pic or two for kicks.

I don't have that equipment, so it should be obvious that I am not in it for the $$$. I am not the competition, nor am I part of the group that follows the "big timers" around, thanks to the TV shows that have given them that status.

But those of you who have invested that kind of dough in your chase equipment look like you know quite a bit about what you are doing...so you will be the ones that I (or others like me) talk to first for information when I don't see what everyone is looking at. Maybe this is just something that everyone could keep in mind while they're out there...

 

[Chris Novy]

Many features don't neatly fit our expectations of the perfect model. Depending upon where a storm is its life cycle as well as your distance and position from that feature can make many features hard to identify. Consider the possibility that the chasers you had the bad experience with had absolutely no idea what they were looking at and rather than say "I have no clue" they just acted too cool for school and blew you off.

Bill Tabor was correct in that every chaser has his/her own motivation. Some are focused so intensely on the storms and intercept plans that they don't really have time to answer questions. It's shoot, reposition, shoot, reposition, all day long. They aren't necessarily trying to be rude but they just don't have time to chat. Then again, some people are just rude --regardless of what they know or don't know.

There are others, like myself, who mentally try to tune out the other chasers so that we can concentrate on enjoying the storms. It's like going to an amusement park and focusing on the ride your waiting to board rather than focusing on the long line you're waiting in. Admittedly, I've had some people say/ask some really stupid things to me when I'm out there and at times it's been annoying. If I've had a good chase day up to that point I'm generally not bothered by questions but if I've driven 300 miles for what essentially turned out to be a car wash --only to hear my friends just bagged three tornadoes-- then I might be less inclined to talk.

There are, however, some chasers that do truly look down upon storm spotters, I suspect the actual number of these folks is relatively small since spotters tend to stay out of the way of most chasers and aren't generally perceived as "the competition" by those marketing their photos/videos. Still, some chasers have huge egos and can't be bothered by "the little people". I remember watching an episode of Storm Chasers a couple of years ago where the TIV was waiting for the DOW to arrive before they could an intercept they were looking at. Reed and company speed on past and Sean Casey says "what are we, storm watchers?" sort of like the old saying "what am I, chopped liver?".

My suggestion is to keep chasing and keep asking questions. You can learn a lot about storms by simply seeing them often. Also remember that 95% of what you'll see out there isn't tornadic or even dangerous even though it make be visually impressive. You can always take pictures, share them here on ST, and ask questions after the fact. Just remember to get some wide, medium, and close-ups so we can see things in context and let us know what direction you were facing when you took the pictures.

Finally, see if you can team up with some local chasers. You might learn something from them while at the same time they might learn something from you and your spotting perspective.

..Chris..

 

[terra seright]

Heres a thought, actually learn the stuff before heading out there. Nobody owes you anything.

I have learned the stuff, Adam. Hell, I've been told that I make other spotters look like they don't know what they're doing. That's not the issue. Sometimes we all need an extra opinion or to be pointed in the right direction. Sometimes, a more experienced set of eyes is needed. Nobody owes it to me, sure...and that's why I'm not out there asking everyone on scene to tell me what I need to report to net control.

I don't have any problem with those who are out there for the money shot, I have a problem with those who seem to think that they saw the storm first and that makes it theirs. And there are some out there who behave that way.

 

[Jason Persoff]

I enjoy the role of helping new chasers in the field a lot. But, when I'm out there, I'm definitely there in part for an aesthetic: the sensation of being one with nature and resonating with the environment around me. We all know how brief a period we usually have out of a car and at one with the storm (before outflow or precip drive us back into the cars).

For me, I'm often soaking up the experience that I usually have <2 weeks to pack in during a single trip to the Plains. Factor in that, particularly if a feature is ominous, I'm also trying to watch how it evolves because I feel very particular about correctly identifying the storm feature and that often requires a situational awareness that makes things very difficult during severe weather.

I am very happy to help people identify features after a severe threat has passed, or when out lightning photographing after dark. Most chasers are.

But I admit that, Tara, when I started in chasing >20 years ago, I got the cold shoulder frequently by other chasers DURING a storm. I had no problems however, asking questions of photos I took during a storm when I'd bump into other chasers at dinner or at the hotel. That's where I learned a lot.

Real-time learning is better if you team up with a mentor too: someone who you ask ahead of time if you can join up with them for a chase or two. I have mentored a couple of chasers over the years, and had mentors who helped tremendously. As you grow in the hobby, you'll find others who you'll eventually want to chase with who can compliment your knowledgebase too (which means you both bring things into the field from different perspectives).

I cherish the fact that Bill Hark, my main chase partner, has counterpoints to what he brings to the chase that keep me balanced and open to other scenarios. Just my $0.02.

Last point: I would counter the argument that the chaser with all the high tech equipment is the one who knows the most what's going on. While there are those chasers who are exquisitely experienced and outfitted (I'm thinking of Gene Moore), many of those from whom you could learn the most may only be toting a camera and a map. Looks are deceiving.

 

[terra seright]

I would like to be clear that if I decide to bug someone in the heat of the moment, it is a "where is it" kind of question. And it's because I've already scoped everything and don't see what all the fuss is about.

I'm not into asking anything that requires an in-depth answer when I'm out trying to get an eye on what's going on. I don't have time for that, and I know no one else does.

If I see something that I want to ask in-depth questions about, it will be here on the forums.

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

Terra,
I'd say your experience with that group wasn't unique, but from my experience, it was likely an anomaly, as has been suggested by several others here.

Storm chasing draws in people of all walks of life, for all kinds of reasons. I'm in my 2nd year of (formal) chasing, and have had contacts with several ST members, who have all been VERY willing to answer questions and allow me to "shadow" them on a chase. I've had only 1 ST member give me a curt response to a phone call I made to him, but that was because he was in the middle of being on a tor-warned cell (I was 20 miles away and didn't know where he was, so had no way of knowing this). I fully understood that, and didn't take it personally.

IMHO, the few that really are only in it for themselves, miss out on some of the best parts of what storm chasing includes-meeting people, sharing stories, teaching and being taught, etc. While they might get that $$ picture, they miss out on things that money can't buy.

 

[D. Hayes]

Terra I know what you mean but it's best to just assume that most chaser just don't know what they are seeing. Very few of those chasers are on this site. For the most part, the group here is very helpful. I don't ask many questions but I watch lots of streaming when I can. Follow links to chaser's youtube uploads which normally have audio. Mike Hollingshead storm structure 101 is a great source along with anything Tim Vasquez puts out.

There are a few chasers that stream audio and will explain what is happening in real time. Mike Phelps is perfect example and a great source of information on his site stormscapelive.com.