The Downpour Photo

Photographer’s Note

SE Queensland is a region which can be hit by violent summer storms, bringing very strong winds, lightning, large hail, lots of rain and amazing levels of destruction. Last year, between the end of November and early December, we had a few too many of those storms.

Today’s picture was taken the day before this one at 4pm in Scarborough, Redcliffe Peninsula, and shows the dark sky just prior to the downpour. It illustrates well the strong winds if you pay attention to the way the palm tree foliage is up and bending to the right. Also the blue greenish sky below the palm trees is a good indication of potential hail, which can be of large dimensions, up to the size of a golf ball or even a tennis ball. The best thing to do is to stay indoors and place the car undercover. And I do know it well by experience. A few years ago I was driving on the freeway in a late afternoon when a storm hit the area and I did not have any place to get undercover. The result was 27 hail dents all over my three month old car. Just devastating!!!

For an idea of what can happen please read this story.

ISO: 100

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Critiques | Translate

aadilj (17950) 2009-03-17 2:22

Nice shot like painting. the hues are lovely and well nuanced. the textures are lovely

daddo (11567) 2009-03-17 2:27

Hi Antonio. I love scenes like this where nature flexes her muscles.Moody sky, sombre colours and palm fronds pointing upwards indicate turmoil has arrived. Nice composition, giving the sky/wind predominance. Regards. Klaudio.

besnard (31114) 2009-03-17 2:37

Bonjour Antonio
On a l'impression que la pluie n'est pas loin. Le temps plus que menaçant donne une atmosphère un petit peu sinistre.
Merci pour cette belle image et bonne journée.
Nicole

papagolf21 (56765) 2009-03-17 2:44

Bonjour, mon ami Antonio,
Oh ! superbe prise de vue ! impressionnant moment figé à jamais ! la beauté inquiétante est manifeste à travers cette très belle composition.
Félicitations pour avoir eu cette réactivité.
Amitiés.
Philippe

sacavem (8525) 2009-03-17 2:59

Olá António,

Mas que grande atmosfera daquelas que metem respeito.Bem captado este cena até dá para sentir o vento.
Um abraço,
Filipe

vincz (19045) 2009-03-17 3:01

Wow... amazing dark sky. I love the wind in the palm trees. This is a great one.

tober (4062) 2009-03-17 3:11

Hello Antonio, apparently you struggled a lot against the natural disasters this year. In residential areas storms, in rural areas forest fires, at coastal areas sharks ! Those are the big challenges you face with but at the same time it's a fantastic country with continental characteristics. You enjoy different types of climates in the same time. When there's stormy weather in the eastern parts, I don't know how the weather is in the central parts or in the sub-tropic north.

This is a very unusual photo, which was taken under extraordinary atmospheric conditions. It's the beginning of summer but it looks like winter.

Best regards, Tolga

SteveH (3997) 2009-03-17 3:15

Hi Antonio, that is wild! Tones in the sky are great, really showing the turbulence and violence of the storm. Good composition, presenting a narrow band of tame Australian suburbia to contrast with the sky.

phwall (5705) 2009-03-17 3:48

Hi Antonio,
Perfect capture of nature's fury. The storm clouds look fantastic, and the palm trees, they are copping a belting.
Brilliant graphic capture.
Cheers
Peter

Buin (38310) 2009-03-17 3:52

Hallo Antonio!
Great, really great! What a threatening sight! You managed the light here very skillfully in order to show the atmosphere of this thunderstorm. A truly worth-showing photo - and in combination with your note a contribution in terms of TE! Once agin: Great!
Greetings from grey and still cold Germany!
Frank

tempocativo (439) 2009-03-17 4:06

Olá António, quase que era arrastado pelo vento só por olhar para esta fotografia...Bela composição! Parece que vem aí o dilúvio!! Lindas cores, tanto do verde da relva como o azul escuro das carregadas nuvens!
Abraço

npecanhuk (14756) 2009-03-17 4:18

Olá António!
A foto já vale pelas formações das nuvens que anunciam uma tempestade! No geral, a foto também agrada, com uma composição simples mas eficiente, com um resultado atraente e bonito!
Gosto da pouca luz, das cores e da nitidez adequada também! Pelas palmeiras do canto esquerdo, pode-se "sentir" o vento!
Parabéns, abraços e até logo!
Neyvan

macondo (13273) 2009-03-17 5:19

Hi Antonio.
Sorry to hear about the dents in your new car!
This shot shows the awesome power of the impending storm. It's so gloomy, yet there's still quite a strong bright patch in the clouds. The density and darkness of the clouds near the horizon is frightening. The trees show the wind is already fierce, and the car makes a good highlight on the right. Very well composed with the low horizon. Well done.
Regards,
Andrew

windosil (820) 2009-03-17 5:39

Fiersome sky well captured to make a balanced composition.
We get hailstones, but not as you know them! About 4mm is the largest I've ever seen.
Take care,
Winifred

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-03-17 5:53

HI Antonio,
very good result here for showing the intensity of the incoming storm. Well composed and good light control.
well done
Jorge

BWJ (1777) 2009-03-17 8:27

Hello Antonio,
What a ferocious storm. The strong wind makes the palm trees look like umbrellas turned inside out. Amazing storm clouds are impressive and add good depth to the landscape. You captured the moment well.
Kind regards,
Betty

diomed (4649) 2009-03-17 9:03

Hi Antonio,
very nice shot of the storm with dramatic atmosphere and amazing sky.
Well done!
Antonio

lucasgalodoido (16831) 2009-03-17 10:55

Olá Antônio,
pelo tempo fechado e o vento forte acredito não ser um dos melhores dias na região, tempestades essas que acredito serem parecidas com algumas que ocorrem no Brasil, pelo menos ontem a tarde caiu uma onde moro que deixou a cidade a beira do caos. Interessante sua foto e a história.
Parabéns e Abraço

carper (65742) 2009-03-17 10:56

fantastic Antonio,
very good photo, that sky I love it. good low horizon, fine composition, fantastic job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

bertolucci (12014) 2009-03-17 12:20

Hi Antonio,
You capture the threathening atmosphere of this pre storm sky reaaly well. The ordered and tranquile forms of the houses forms a great and dramatic contrast with it. Very good documantary shot and thanx for the inetersting info too.
Have a fine week,
Bert

bostankorkulugu (33984) 2009-03-17 14:28

i dont know what but there is something sixties in this shot... despite the new cars... i like the reneissance sky and the pale colours all over... cheers antonio...

torre (893) 2009-03-17 15:48

Olá Antonio. A Australia tem muita beleza, mas também os elementos não a poupam. Esse devia ser um dia de grande temporal, a julgar pelas nuvens densas e baixas. Se a foto estivesse tremida não me admirava nada, mas não está!
Saudações
Arlindo

gunbud (28165) 2009-03-17 17:33

Hi Antonio,
You have created a very dramatic mood with the giant size storm clouds and the lush green palm trees blowing in the strong wind.
I hope this time you made it to cover.
Regards, Tom

hispic (7399) 2009-03-17 20:18

Hi Antonio,
An unearthly cloud like a supercell has been captured with a rich and smooth tone, it is even beautiful though it is a terrible troublemaker. We are able to perceive the strong wind on the palm tree foliage. I really like this shot suitable for TE.
Regards, Hisashi

rginer (590) 2009-03-18 2:16 [Comment]

Show Comment

jhm (83378) 2009-03-18 4:03

Hello Antonio,

What a imminent sky above this small splendid village
Those are the big challenges you face with but at the same time it's a fantastic country with continental characteristics.
The quiet environment care for an excellent composition.
Splendid presentation and lovely colours.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

jmdias (19935) 2009-03-18 7:39

antonio

bela vista da tempestade, as palmeiras reais autralianas estão mostrando a velocidade do vento, enquanto as nuvens possuem bela textura e dramaticidade. aqui no BR eles estão usando o palmito (coração da palmeira) desta espécie australiana, é a mais próxima em qualidade do palmito retirado da palmeira juçara, que é nativa e está ameaçada de extinção. existem muitas plantações desta palmeira australiana em santa catarina.

abraços

jorge

danos (33330) 2009-03-18 9:35

Hello Antonio,
really impressive this dark day with the strong winds to make the foliage of the palm trees to shake so hard.A snapshot that the downpour is ready to fall on the ground.Well done.

Regards,Danos

wgreis (6176) 2009-03-18 9:38

Olá Antonio,
dá até para sentir a força do vento, pelo aspecto das palmeiras e das densas nuvens.
O local em si parece muito aprazível.
Nota ótima.
Parabéns e obrigado por compartilhar.
Abraços,
Wagner.

argycon (2749) 2009-03-18 10:14

Hi Antonio,
Very impressive capture! Amazing atmosphere!!
Great shot!!
tfs
Kostas

Photo65Net (43096) 2009-03-18 14:25

Hello Anotnio,
Superb bad weather mood here.
I like how you caught the strong natural power.
Have a nice day,
JB.

barrufeto_77 (25943) 2009-03-18 15:40

Hi Antonio.

A really windy day! POssibly too much for me. In a day like this I will be at home for sure!

I like the atmosphere. It's great!

Rgs, Oscar

Silvio1953 (42911) 2009-03-19 12:01

Ciao Antonio, lovely composition with fantastic Grey sky, like a painting, very well done, ciao Silvio

paura (39376) 2009-03-19 16:22

António,
Lindo o efeito de iluminação e sombras nessas nuvens. A paisagem é linda em cada detalhes, como a palmeira curvada pelo vento.

Abraço

Paulo

ChrisJ (70443) 2009-03-19 19:11

Hi Antonio

I still remember the violent storm, of Friday, January 18, 1985. Winds of 185 km ph, hail the size of oranges, 299 million dollars damage, 1 person killed, & 50 mm of rain in 10 minutes! A good capture of this ominous looking black cloud. Tfs!

dvlazar (6488) 2009-03-19 21:47

A moody sky - and it looks like that house is really going to get it!
Quite memorable for anyone living in qld at this time.
Dave

gracious (20017) 2009-03-19 21:55

Ola Antonio,
Here we see the real powerful sky with the thickness of the dark clouds also we see the wind speed on the palm as well! we have hail here but not as bad as you mentioned like it demaged your new car!
thanks for the sharing
have a great WE
Tony

Giorgio (8776) 2009-03-20 0:48

- A fairly frightening with this threatening sky Antonio, the great part you have left it adds to this impression, anyway a very successful, happily this morning, great weather in Paris ;o)
Have a nice weekend.
giorgio

delpeoples (6804) 2009-03-20 2:33

Hi Antonio, apart from being an excellent reportage style shot, giving us an idea of the conditions you're living through in Queensladn at the moment, the photo is well-composed, nice and sharp and the skies are stunning. I like how you've clearly captured the trees being driven by the gale-force winds. It's very dramatic. TFS and have a great weekend, Lisa

alftrek (2929) 2009-03-20 3:03

Hello Antonio,
I have never seen hail as large as what you described, but I have heard of such occurrence in Sydney many years ago when cars and metal roofs get thousands of dents over the city. I hope the white car in this photo is not yours, in the face of such menace.

The key subject here is the dynamic storm cloud, and you are clever to devote most of this framing to it, with just sufficient landscape to provide the context. I like the light from behind the low dark cloud.

Cheers
Alfred

belido (16899) 2009-03-20 4:59

Olá António,

o céu carregado, sem dúvida, dramatizou a cena de forma elegante. Chega a dar um certo medo do que está por vir. Gosto de como você compôs a imagem, reservando os 2 terços necessários ao céu. Belo registro!
Abraço,
Carlos

foozi (4735) 2009-03-20 6:14

Hi Antonio,
well depicted shot with neat and clean sky, but the forecat is that dramatic clouds will bring in the heavy rain.
moment well captured with the palm leaves violently blown and it looks like feathers to the mighty wind.
Well presented shot of this decisive moment.
Really an exciting one!

Regards,
Foozi

Flavia (10202) 2009-03-20 6:25

Hi Antonio,

You certainly caught a hell of a rain here! The dark heavy clouds are great and the tree blown by the wind is certaily the cherry on the cake!

Regards,

Flavia

Docarmo (8856) 2009-03-20 10:31

Olá António,
Impressionante este espetáculo da natureza, mostra-nos muito bem como deve ser aterrador. O céu tumultuado, as palmeiras "descabeladas" - um cenário do lindo tenebroso.
Parabéns!
MCV

sacimar (7696) 2009-03-20 11:50

Hi Antonio,

sometimes we can experience the nature fury... interesting picture, I like the clouds, they are really threatening, good composition, well done!

Regards

Sergio

batalay (21213) 2009-03-20 12:26

Hello Antonio,

This is truly one of the most beautiful tempest skies I have seen. There was Dutch painter who frequently painted seascapes in this manner. It could be Albrect Cuyp. This is a very appealing image and informed by a good note.

Warm regards,

Bulent

MLINES (10984) 2009-03-20 16:48

Hi Antonio, A very dramatic shot of those turbulent skies. Looks quite terrifying from your proximity. Queensland has had some ferrocious storms it seems. Good colours and clarity is excellent.. TFS. Murray.

mauro61 (16346) 2009-03-21 1:04

ciao Antonio,
grandi nuvoloni che annunciano un imminente temporale e immagine catturata in tutti le sue tinte scure.
Grande risalto dato al cielo nell'inquadratura come giusto che fosse.
saluti
maurizio

brevbrev14 (372) 2009-03-21 2:49

Hi Antonio, great dramatic sky and tones here
i like a lot the composition and the great space of the gray sky
good work and interesting note!
ciao
Valeria

Focales (514) 2009-03-21 3:20

Bonjour Antonio,
Les couleurs de ce ciel menaçant donne à l'ensemble de l'image une grande profondeur et une lumière spéciale presque inquiétante. J'aime beaucoup.

ericfarge (872) 2009-03-21 5:04

Hello Antonio,
Intensive photo with a spectacular sky, i really like how this tree blend and the white car seems to fight against the wind.
Regards, Eric.

josepmarin (34131) 2009-03-21 6:55

Olá António,
impresionante este cielo de tormenta, que al final descargó toda su fuerza, como ya vimos en otra foto que presentaste, pero tu experiencia en los daños sufridos en tu coche hace unos años te permitió ponerte a cubierto del granizo esta vez.
Excelente captura de la fuerza de la naturaleza en tu foto, podemos notar el viento golpeando las palmeras.
Buen trabajo, amigo.
Un abrazo,
Josep

gildasjan (24149) 2009-03-22 3:16

Bonjour Antonio
Ce ciel très menaçant donne tout son caractère à cette image bien cadrée.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

stego (22482) 2009-03-22 12:09

Olá António,
A atmosfera ameaçadora está muito bem captada. O ar pacato do bairro ajardinado contrasta imenso com o dramatismo do céu e as palmeiras não deixam dúvidas quanto à força do vento.
Espero que o seguro do carro cobrisse "acidentes meteorológicos", ou lá como é que eles chamam a isso, mas se for como cá, essas são daquelas excepções que vêm nas letras miudinhas.
Um abraço, José.

azaf1 (15547) 2009-03-22 15:46

Hi Antonio

Must have been quite an experience. I can see the trees blown by the wind and the threatening sky. Excellent framing and sharp details coupled with a detailed note.

TFS
Argiris

AiresSantos (42964) 2009-03-23 0:31

Ola Antonio
Uma foto magnifica que nos mostra de forma clara e evidente a aproximacao de uma tempestade. O ceu, carregado de nuvens, esta belissimo. Excelentes detalhes e contraste
Um abraco Amigo e boa semana
Aires

plimrn (19740) 2009-03-25 7:31

Olá António,
The picture is dramatically beautiful with its center of light and exquisite detail. Interesting how it almost looks windier the day after the storm!! How did you ever hold you camera steady enough, even with the relatively fast shutter speed?

Oh my, that is quite a story!! That was NOT a minor storm!!
SAA, Pat

bakes888 (18353) 2009-03-27 0:48

Hi Antonio. You Aussies seem to be copping it this summer, fires, floods, storms even shark attacks! Well captured, I can almost sense the impending violence. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend (hope the weather is good to you ;-), Paul.

Bluejeans (33113) 2009-03-27 13:35

Oi amigo ,
Que atmosfera bem dramática com este céu carregado de chuva , gostei do sentido de movimento do vento nas palmeiras , foi uma bela captura , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom fim de semana

Charo (31851) 2009-03-28 14:52

Olá Antonio,
Maravilhosa perspectiva do local com a impressionante e ameaçando céu. Realmente parece ser um furacão a formar as formas das nuvens.
Nós dizemos que, na sua nota, você deve ser um espectáculo para ver essa tempestade, mas evidentemente em casa.
Um abraço,
Charo

John_F_Kennedy (32032) 2009-03-31 2:44

So much drama and power to that sky. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

parbo (11034) 2009-03-31 15:14

Olá Antonio,

Your capture the cloudy sky is just impressive one Antonio. Marvellous details and gray tones on clouds with excellent usage of lights. I liked trees under powerful wind with the city texture at bottom that increase stormy feeling there.

Parabéns e Abraço!

Ertugrul

kevinos (6927) 2009-03-31 16:55

And interesting shot of a gray day, Antonio, it give a good feeling of a storm as do the branches of the trees in the wind. regards kevin

sothy81 (8540) 2009-04-04 11:52

Hi Antonio, I like this photo. The clouds are so dramatic here. About to take over the town. Very well seen. Sothy

dareco (17104) 2009-04-04 22:19

Very nice sharp detail and color, and MEAN looking clouds :) Very well done. TFS

emjleclercq (14524) 2009-04-04 22:35

A very dramaticdark sky, and the palm trees on the left are a good indication of a strong wind blowing.

All the best,

Emmanuel

ahmetgedikli (22141) 2009-04-05 5:06

Hi Antonio,
Beautiful dramatic scenery... Very good POV, excellent sharpness and amazing sky. Nice work!
Have a good sunday.
Ahmet

Scharan (13955) 2009-04-05 13:40

Olá Antonio

Belo registro deste momento de céu escuro e muito vento, as palmeiras que o digam...
Mesmo numa atmosfera "pesada", há beleza...a natureza é assim...
Parabéns!
GA
Vera

LUISCOSTA (142) 2009-04-05 17:28

Excelente trabalho e oportunidade de estar no local no momento certo...O ceu manda e o seu dedo obtura...

siolaw (25834) 2009-04-07 0:47

Hi Antonio,
The sky texture is just great here with subtle range of grey colors... we can see the storm is very near when looking these coconut trees with all leaves upwards due to strong winds...
Greetings
Laurent

luisafonso (858) 2009-04-07 7:56

Eu adoro estas fotos de tempestades. O céu carregado e cinzentão está excelente. Isso e o vento a fazer vergar a palmeira. Os elementos da Natureza estão claramente visíveis aqui nesta foto e isso não é fácil de mostrar. Parabéns!

isa (1964) 2009-04-08 13:54

Olá António,
Dramático céu deste linda paragem Australiana.
Excelente composição e ponto de vista. Parabéns.
Saudações cordiais,
Isa

marietom (32084) 2009-04-11 14:47

hello Antonio,

On dirait un ciel peint. Belle atmosphère dans cette image.
Bonne soirée
Marie

gvelosofotos (426) 2009-04-12 9:51

Parece quase um video esta foto,toda ela tem movimento,as árvores,as nuvens.Sensacional.Abraço.

tomi1 (1284) 2009-04-12 12:27

Oeiras,12-4-2009
António Ribeiro
As nuvens ameaçadoras prometem temporal nesta aldeia. Realmente a natureza é muito poderosa. A aldeia pelo que vejo é um bonito local. ( Pelo que parece na Austrália vem tudo em excesso, refiro-me também aos incêndios. E suponho que é um país bem preparado em meios técnicos ). Cumprimentos. Domingos

jemaflor (39759) 2009-04-15 10:52

Hi Antonio,
Great contrast with this impressive grey sky, well framed, interesting result.

adores (15781) 2009-04-20 16:44

Olá António!
Estes momentos são normalmente muito bons para as fotos! Gosto muito do céu escuro e do efeito do vento nas árvores. Devia vir por aí um temporal e tanto!

pablominto (41398) 2009-04-24 0:09

Hello Antonio,

Maybe we should use the camera more under poor weather conditions?
You capture the effects nicely here, the palm trees bending in the strong wind while the threatening clouds are hovering above...
A balanced composition, that conveys the atmosphere well!

Greetings,
Pablo -

raszid62 (3497) 2009-05-14 22:10

Hello
What for dangerous sky, what for mad gale.
This was probably dangerous day.
Splendid tune this picture.
Best Regards
Joseph

darek1978 (11509) 2009-05-18 8:44

Hi Antonio,
I like the perspective, amazing sky with the dark clouds, good details and colours. The threaten grey sky make the scene even more spectacular. Well done.
Regards,
Darek

Angshu (34141) 2009-05-21 3:02

Hello Antonio
The clouds appear 3D in this picture...fantastic! The dark menacing clouds coupled with the high wind...the atmosphere is electrifying. Looking at the cloud behind the house...looks like it's taking shape of a tornado. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

Didi (36516) 2009-05-29 9:25

Hello Antonio
Very interesting dramatic sky, very nice gray scale.
Terrific scene of storm.
Well done.
Best regards

MichaelTrezzi (3170) 2009-06-13 6:54

Hello Antonio,
you are a lucky guy if you have clouds as this one around you. Wonderful heavenly theatre. The homes just below the storm must initiate the thoughts of the strengths of the powers of nature. Well composed. Good note. Kind regards, Michael