Pixiq

Wind can be a nightmare when working with a long lens on a tripod.  Even with a heavy tripod, working with strong gusts is a risky business; quite apart from the struggle to mount the camera securely on the tripod, there is still the risk of it blowing over or even gear being dowsed with seawater if a breaking wave is misjudged.

On the night of 15 October 1987, Michael Fish, a British television weatherman, will forever be remembered for his comments before a storm broke,  "Earlier today a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!". That evening, SE England experienced the worst storm since 1703, resulting in the death of 18 people and 15 million trees being felled.  

By daybreak, every road out of my home town in Surrey was blocked by fallen trees. But as soon as they were cleared, I spent almost a week recording the aftermath of the storm - although any fallen tree on the ground looks much like another.  So, I took to the air – in a hot air balloon! I wrote many articles for the British and overseas press, but one editor was dismayed to discover I had no 'before' and 'after' shots, which, as I pointed out, would have been a miracle if I could have predicted which trees would come down.

However, wind that is more moderate can be a blessing when it helps to create images that are impossible on a safe, calm day. Look for wind creating ripples in water and across sand dunes, as well as repetitive movement of blowing leaves, grasses or large snow flakes against a dark backdrop. Pointers to help when using a tripod on a windy day:

• Erect a tripod in the most sheltered position possible and preferably not to the maximum height.

• If using a fixed head on the tripod switch off the IS or VR, because neither will help to control movement from repeated buffeting by the wind.

• Hanging extra weight on the hook below the centre column may help to prevent or reduce camera shake.

• If you use a neck strap, remove it so it cannot flap against the tripod.

• Don't let go of the tripod when the camera is fixed!

There are several ways to convey blowing wind in a still frame:

• Up the ISO and use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action – perhaps by using a shorter focal length lens.

• Use a slow shutter speed to blur the action.

• Use multiple exposures to convey the movement of individual facets – such as leaves – moving between one exposure and another.

• Use flash to freeze movement of closer subjects

Here are some examples of shots taken in windy conditions, as well as trees that have grown into distorted shapes by constant wind pruning in an exposed location.