http://weather.siu.edu/vidtips.htmlYou might also consider capturing scientific-quality video and photographs. The needs and goals of thunderstorm research require that scientific-quality images have additional standards.
VIDEO MUST BE STEADY using a tripod, stabilizer, or some other mounting system.Collection of scientific-quality video does not automatically make the video unusable in a commercial context. With practice, you can shoot video or photographs that are valuable in both situations.TURN OFF THE AUTO FOCUS and set manual focus to inifinity. Many video cameras now default to the autofocus setting when you power them on. Also, some cameras will go out of focus when you zoom in. Keep checking the focus!
DO NOT PAN the camera. Select an appropriate part of the storm and keep the camera locked in on this feature for at least a few minutes before panning to another feature.
DO NOT ZOOM IN but try to get as much of the storm structure as possible. Use of a wide-angle lens is helpful. The large-scale structure associated with the rear-flank downdraft and the occluding gust front are especially relevant features for current severe storm research.
ACCURATE TIMES are important. Leaving the internal video clock on is desirable as long as it does not obscure the storm features. A log of photo times is adequate.
YOU MUST KNOW WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED. Use of a GPS to get latitude and longitude is desirable but certainly not required. Note what highway or road you are on and the distance to the previous or next intersection. Any additional information that helps to pinpoint your location is desirable.
MAKE USE OF YOUR AUDIO TRACK if you are shooting video. Use a microcassette recorder if you are shooting photography. Talk about where you are. What direction are you looking? What do you see that might be outside the field of view of the camera? What are the current conditions at your location? Is it raining or hailing? Is the ground wet or dry? Talk, talk, talk!
BE CERTAIN THAT YOU INCLUDE SOME GROUND in your video and photography images. A good rule of thumb is to have the ground occupy the lower 15-20% of the frame.
REFERENCE MARKS IN YOUR FIELD OF VIEW are desireable but be certain that they do not obscure the relevant storm features. These references can include power poles, traffic signs, farmhouses, trees, bodies of water, etc. These landmarks considerably improve the depth perception of the image and also assist in accurately determining your position and the location of the storm relative to you.