The taxonomist in me can?t help but notice that photographs of Hurricane Sandy, now bearing down on the Atlantic coast, fall into distinct categories. So I?ve made a helpful guide to 10 common storm images, complete with identification tips.
1. The Satellite Overview
Hurricane Sandy approaches New Jersey. Photograph by NOAA.
Diagnostic traits: white, swirly, often accompanied by a NOAA stamp. You wouldn?t be able to take these with your cell phone. Unless you?re an Astronaut. Which is unlikely.
Other examples: (1,?2)
2. The Rising Tide
Flooding at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences' Eastern Shore Laboratory. Photograph by Mark Luckenbach.
Diagnostic traits: water in places it really shouldn?t be. If you look out your window and see something like this, you should probably think about moving to higher ground.
Other examples: (1,?2,?3)
3. The Concerned Politician
President Barack Obama receives an update on Hurricane Sandy. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
Diagnostic traits: furrowed brows, telephones, bureaucrats. I?d give the above looks-of-concern 7 out of 10.
Other examples: (1, ?2)
4. The Oddly Empty
Times Square, normally NY's busiest station, abandoned before Hurricane Sandy. Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Aaron Donovan.
Diagnostic traits: whatever the venue- subway stations, roads, grocery store shelves- it?s got an unsettling amount of open space. If you?re a storm photographer averse to doing anything dangerous, here?s your genre.
Other examples: (1,?2)
5. The Intrepid Journalist
Hurricane Katrina, 2005. Photo by Jim Reed.
Diagnostic traits: expensive equipment, windswept clothing, general chaos. High potential for self-inflicted damage.
Other examples: (1,?2)
6. The SandBag
The New York Stock Exchange sandbagged in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. Photograph by Eleazar David Mel?ndez.
Diagnostic traits: Preparatory barriers and supplies, often with neighbors pitching in to help, or a child and/or family pet waiting for the storm. The pinnacle of this genre would be neighbors laying sandbags under a dark, stormy sky while a kid and her dog stand by.
Other examples: (1,?2)
7. The Obligatory Wind Shot
Hurricane Dennis hits Key West, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Jim Brooks.
Diagnostic traits: Objects more sideways than usual. These scenes sometimes attract Intrepid Journalists.
Other examples: (1, 2)
8. The ?Are you insane??
"Surfing Irene". Photograph by G. E. Long.
Diagnostic traits: subjects apparently unaware there?s a hurricane going on.
Other examples: (1,?2,?3)
9. The #Instacane
"The calm before the storm" by Instragram user ivankatrump.
Diagnostic traits: Artful vignetting, hashtags in the caption, may be interspersed in a social media stream with moody photos of food.
Other examples: (1,?2)
10. The Wreckage
Winds from Hurricane Katrina knocked over this tree crushing this Mobile home. MARVIN NAUMAN/FEMA photo.
Diagnostic traits: Trees where houses should be, houses where trees should be, unruly debris.
**Update. And how could I miss:
11. The Blatant Fake
On a more serious note: if you are in the path of this hurricane, please be careful! Pay attention to official advice and act accordingly.
Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=ba0cb8222cf3cfc6045b7b100196ef17
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