Show #34–Mike Olbinski–Storm Chaser

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Host Mike Howard, Tim Kemperle & Kathleen Bowie interview photographer Mike Olbinski.  Mike shoots a wide range of subjects, but in this interview we focus on his storm photos including some amazing lightning photos.

News:

• Photoshop 6 Public Beta is available
  Kathleen has tried it and was positive about the results

Mike Olbinski – Photographer

Mike’s Dust Storm video – http://vimeo.com/26045314
Types of photography

• Landscape
• Storm
• Family
• Weddings

Safety Issues with Storms

• Lightning – biggest danger (use a wireless shutter release)
• Flash Floods
• Dust Storms – results in car accidents (pileups)
• Not paying attention to where you are driving

Equipment

• Canon 5D Mark II…started with a Rebel

• Excellent camera and just because there is a new model doesn’t mean I need to replace the camera
• Upgrading from a crop sensor to a full-frame made a huge difference

• Lenses
• 35/f1.4 – L series (favorite lens)
• 50/f1.4
• 70-200 f/2.8 – will use for weddings

Lighting Shots

• Watch the radar and look for storms and go to the area
• Setup in Bulb
• Multiple 30 second exposures
• In the desert – f5.6 with ISO of around 200
• In the city – f8 with a high ISO to prevent the lights from being blown out
• Lightning Shot
• “That was a close one” within a quarter mile of the strike…camera was mounted on the dashboard taking a shot through the windshield with the wipers on fast.  The exposure was approximately 25 seconds
• “Purple Rain” Hoping for a lightning strike before the rain went over the ridge
• “The Hills are Alive” multiple strikes within 10 seconds
• Enhance photos with Silver Efex from Nik Software

Goal is for Storm Structure and/or a Tornado

Questions:

• Meteorology – Understanding what the weather is going to do is important to stay safe
• Which storm chasers do you follow – Stephen Locke, Shane Kirk – both from  Kansas…actually follow around 50 from the Midwest.  Mitch Dobrowner...Black & White photography
• How do you push yourself when shots are based on the luck of the weather…always looking to get a better shot than the previous shot

LINKS:

Mike

• Website – http://www.mikeolbinski.com/
• Google+ – https://plus.google.com/u/0/108834544234077411259/posts
• Blog – http://www.mikeolbinski.com/blog/
• Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/mikeolbinskiphotography
• 500px – http://500px.com/MikeOlbinski
• flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeolbinski/
• Twitter –  http://twitter.com/#!/mikeolbinski
• Mike’s Dust Storm video – http://vimeo.com/26045314

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