Photography in Florida
Hello everyone,
So we have been having some cooler weather in the Tampa Bay Area. But the hot and humid months are not far off. If you are a photographer in Florida, any tips for staying cool? Even the early morning and late evening hours are hot and humid in mid summer. I find this cooler weather invigorating and it's fun to get out with my camera, but I am worried my motivation will wilt away when summer comes. I don't do hot and humid very well.
It seems like my motivation to trudge around in Florida always seems to drop significantly in the Summer. Being that your area has pretty well timed thunderstorms almost daily, you can try going out right before, or after (even better) the storms to capture some unique versions of previous pictures. Here on the panhandle we get some great storms that roll in off the gulf, so I watch radar and get out to the beaches just before the storms roll in to get that beautiful break from sunny to storm rolling in. And typically, the winds pick up just a little more cooling the temps down a little.
Also, I do more late night landscape along the coast during the summer to avoid the mid-day heat.
Burtzy
Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA
There is no cure for Florida's weather except to shoot Florida from Oregon. It works well for my friends there. But you'll need a really long lens. LOL
Jerry G
Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida
Fishermen spend extended periods of time exposed to the heat and sun and clothing has been developed to help keep them cool and protect them from the sun. It might be a good idea to check if any of this would be something you could use.
rehess
Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
My wife and I have started using a more "Spanish" day - a nap in the middle to get us through the hottest part and to give us more energy for the remainder. This started when we took naps at DisneyWorld, but I would think it makes especially good sense in any warm area - especially all of Florida in the Summer.
A pool with a swim-up bar and a nice cold Pina Colada works for me! I suggest a waterproof camera though!
Burtzy wrote:
There is no cure for Florida's weather except to shoot Florida from Oregon. It works well for my friends there. But you'll need a really long lens. LOL
Too funny! I was born in Oregon. Love it there.
julesannb wrote:
Hello everyone,
So we have been having some cooler weather in the Tampa Bay Area. But the hot and humid months are not far off. If you are a photographer in Florida, any tips for staying cool? Even the early morning and late evening hours are hot and humid in mid-summer. I find this cooler weather invigorating and it's fun to get out with my camera, but I am worried my motivation will wilt away when summer comes. I don't do hot and humid very well.
This works for our Photo Club in Tampa area ... "wait 10 minutes and the weather will change"
Best offer ... embrace low-light, sunrise/sunsets and golden hour photography ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/229981613870251/
I moved to Tampa 17 years ago from NY and have not regretted it. The hot/humid weather lasts more than 6 months though! You will learn to deal with it the longer you are here. Buy clothing that is designed to be cooler and have a sun protection factor rating.
The good part is having flora and fauna all year round to photograph! Good luck!
The Tampa Bay area has more lightning than just about anywhere, especially in summer. Maybe find some good vantage points and do some lightning photography at night. From the beach, there are often storms off shore at night that can make some awesome shots. (It is also cooler at night!)
I have lived in Florida for 42 years. In the summer months I get out early, before sunrise to get to my shooting location and only stay for a few hours. Conversely I also get out just before sunset and shoot the gold and blue hours and then go out to eat. It also helps to find someone to go out and shoot with. I recently moved to Tampa from Sarasota, so there is plenty of new area to cover. Are you a member of any of the local camera clubs? They find ways of getting you out as well. Gary
Go a little North and go to the Springs.
Came from New England!!
I'd rather sweat than shiver!!
LenT
Dalek
Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown
I moved from Detroit to Miami in 1967 and still reside as a retired person in Miami. I have no problem with the weather, the bugs, or the iguanas. The greatest changes that I have seen is the TRAFFIC, the tremendous increase in home insurance, and eroding retirement income. Rush hour starts at 5:30 am and continues to 9:30 pm five days a week. The roads leading out of Miami always have a accident clogging traffic. Traffic management is sorely under planned. Home insurance continues to rise every year and is blamed on Hurricane Andrew - are you kidding that was decades ago. Oh well, the next generation will have to find solutions. Ps I shoot my Nikon traffic permitting.
sb
Loc: Florida's East Coast
Get out! That is my only recommendation. Visit friends up north - they can visit you this time of the year. The misery index of heat and humidity gets pretty high - that is why so many people are snowbirds. I am still working "full time" (55 - 60 hours per week) , so it is pretty easy for me to simply not get outside much in the summer. Even in the wetlands, unless you get there early or late, the animals are just hanging out trying to stay cool.
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