Monsoon // Photographing Desert Lightning

[@extremelydave]

I HATE NICK PAGE!!! OK, that's clickbait... it's because in EVERY stinking, single video he shows me the kind of quality I strive for.... and have not reached. Nick, you ARE the man.... the way you narrate each video makes you seem like the cool guy next door that you like to invite over for a BBQ because he's fun to listen to. If there is an "every-man" photographer, you're it.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I knew nothing about Arizona monsoons until visiting Sedona in July 2018. One day I hiked to the top of Doe Mountain (actually a mesa) and got caught in a flash monsoon while up there. I got one epic image before getting drenched, then spent 30 minutes in the fetal position hoping I wouldn't get struck by lightning. Then I had to hike a mile back down a very steep, sketchy, wet, muddy switchback trail in pea-soup fog. Good times. I can't wait to go back.

[@P.W.R.]

Sounds like a hell of a hike. Thanks for sharing! Your story reminds me of the time my dad and I took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park back in jan-feb 2015. It was winter time and a storm was forecasted to be in the area on the day we went. We took some DWR gear just in case. The opposite happened to us. You had sweltering heat/monsoon, we had freezing temps and sleet rain. lol We hiked in an area in Joshua Tree near Barker Dam (look up pictures of the area, its really cool). The storm moved in and we had to huddle under a rocky overhang to escape the downpour. We got soaked since the DWR is only good for light rain. Four hours! We waited 4 hours for the rain to stop. There was no going back to the truck since we hiked 4-5mi into the desert and the threat of flash flood was too great to risk walking in the rocky canyons. There is dry washes all in these stacks of rocks and water began to flow in these dry creeks. Luckily no major flooding happened after it was all over, but that was a trip I'll never forget.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@P.W.R. I'll bet you won't forget that! Thanks for the great story!

[@paulvalerio3887]

Nick, It’s kind of apparent that you and Michael work well together and you have similar goals, values etc… When you guys feature each other it ends up being a great travel landscape episode. Thank You Both!!

[@judithloniak]

I love in the first part of the time-lapse it appeared as if the clouds were marching towards me, and menacingly so.

[@432HzHarmonicHealing]

Michael touching his chin a few times, looking over at Nick....ENVY 🤣🤣 Awesome images and great vid guys!

[@brianbeattyphotography]

damn... 100 and humid is ROUGH. That image at 15:15 though is worth all the time spent in the heat. Spectacular!

[@ericcarter7529]

Shainblum with the Tribe Called Quest shirt! YESS!

[@FLANOsFOTOs]

I heard you guys were in the Tucson area. Monsoon storms is one of the biggest reasons why I still live in southern Arizona. I've been chasing them since about 1995. Chaotic can be an understatement sometimes while chasing these storm cells which typically last 30-45 minutes. Some days you are on, and sometimes, you need that Zen time :O

[@atvridah]

Every time I watch your videos I put on the best headphones I have. You put so much attention to the audio and it really helps tell the story. Can’t wait for the next one!

[@peterfritzphoto]

Bloody hard. And bloody epic. 👍🦘🇦🇺

[@adamnedojedly8225]

Don’t know what to say . You are master of your craft 🤩 I’m your big fan and I always love to watch your videos and get inspired by you ! Thank you for your amazing content 🙏

[@jeremybuscay]

Michael's panic to zen moment cracked me up. Good stuff Nick!

[@ashwinsalvi]

Hahah some abstracts of rocks and tree bark... that was great. Cool video!

[@tyeeggleston6159]

Awesome video...yall make me jealous shooting lightning in such a wide-open area. I'm relegated to my garage... Michael Shainblum -"It's scorchin hot out here"....Texas-"hold my beer"......

[@samarth9341]

Absolutely loved it Nick, those last images were sooo beautiful. Cannot wait for the part 2 ❤️❤️

[@bobcarrphoto7938]

Really enjoyed this BTS video and the collab with Michael.

[@matthiasrichter-foto-7]

A wonderfull video with great images and two super nice people. I am looking forward to more.

[@kristianarntsen7049]

Lucky you, with the last photo. Love the line in the image. Great shots Nick!

[@AliasJimWirth]

Wow. Impressive end run. Once in a lifetime stuff. You gotta be happy.

[@FromePublishing]

not to bad for 2 photographers making it up as they go along ;) ----- Very Good

[@davewarren7693]

As usual, I am in awe of the skill set that Nick possesses. And there is no pretentiousness in him. You have been quiet on the video front. Glad to see that you are back.

[@paulbell9957]

Must have been amazing to witness conditions like these. Awesome work guys 👍👍

[@stans6582]

Nice work Nick........love the time-lapse, but my heart is in the stills...........Thanks for sharing

[@GUCHCARNAGE]

TCQ shirt and some home state monsoon photos from one of my fav photogs... super cool to see. Hope you guys got some good stuff. Been a rough few years with the monsoon being almost non existent. Cheers.

[@melissameyers7409]

Absolutely awesome! That last image is incredible!

[@TheLisaanntorres]

Great video! Two favorites Nick & Michael.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Have to agree with the comment below,great job as always Nick. Thanks for sharing.

[@David_Glazebrook]

Totally awesome image brah at 15m7s. Great work Mr Page!

[@ronboe6325]

Each monsoon season is different; this season the Tucson area is receiving a great deal of rain. Speaking in VERY broad terms we seem to have two kinds of storms: The classical ones that show up on radar and you can track them, predicting where they should be going. Then we have the (typically after a hot and muggy but clear day) the pop-up storms that suddenly appear over your head and just dump. Sometimes they just sit there until spent. Other times they rove and join up with others then all hell can break loose. There is a road that leads south of Arizona City (just north and west of where you were) that about 20 miles south we would have star parties at (criminal activity made it a non-starter a few years back). There are some very interesting rock formations along that road, as well as some cotton fields. Might be worth checking out. I'd like to join you but I don't tolerate I-10 very well, nor the humidity. :D There are good areas to explore but with the flash floods and the streams that go through these areas it's tough to recommend something safe.

[@techprojm]

So glad to get to watch your videos again, happy your back!

[@JasonLorette]

What great storms! My local storms rarely look that good…thanks for bringing us along! 😎

[@ericcoulter95]

A great video and looked like you had a lot of fun and wonderful images as always. Keep up the great work

[@Slewis71119]

Great Video as always, If you want to chase Storm Clouds come to Dallas and Oklahoma in the spring. You will see some amazing Roll Clouds and all of the Lighting you would ever want to see.

[@fubband]

Awesome! That last shot too...🙌🏻

[@trevorpayne2749]

Fantastic images. Always like your presentation and the technique tips passed on through your videos. Thanks

[@johnashcraft9410]

Having difficulties with the setting for lightning...... yeah right..... Great Photographs once again.

[@ghettoboyfromoutdaway3049]

Jaw dropping footage. I'm in awe.

[@AndreasLarzon]

At 5:48 there is a nice face in the cloud. Thats cool...

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

Wow, Nick, that last photograph is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I cannot wait to see the next one.

[@mattgermond7957]

Incredible video! Wow!👍⛈🌵

[@katebushfarm2033]

What fun, really looking forward to the next episode ❣️

[@stewartlogie]

Out of the frantic chaos come serene, beautiful images. Magic!

[@amaitra]

Meeting of the maestros!

[@MichaelShainblum]

Killer work Nick, I loved seeing your take on this day. I think 14:46 is my favorite!

[@hachewie]

Brilliant time lapses and stills.

[@AquaticBaboon]

That last shot is so good!

[@kenhaley5450]

Epic stuff - really great backing track for your time lapses.

[@rebeccamoore4177]

Beautiful. Just like tree bark.

[@catbrown777]

Exceptional photography ✨🌵🌩

[@599miata]

Great video Nick. One day I will get some of those shots. Here in New Brunswick , Canada we do not have a lot of lightning storms.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Wow that was some epic lightning shots for sure! Great work! :)

[@exploretography]

Great video! It's been an awesome monsoon season here in AZ!

[@sonholee5769]

Awesome vid and photos. I like the camaraderie between the two of you guys.

[@CynthiaS1951]

Beautiful images and time lapses! My two favorite KZbin photographers in one video! Thank you!

[@mphulett]

You did it, Nick! You nailed those shots. Loved the sound effects of the thunder in your video. So glad you and Michael made the trip and found some good comps. Way to go.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Wow guys would love to try that

[@tysanborn554]

So good! I could watch your videos for hours on end!

[@daconpictures]

Hey Nick, when you will be next time in AZ, checkout the South Mountain for large vistas, the Ghost Town in AJ, the Scorpion Gorge, etc.

[@Kenpassion]

Nick!! Awesome as always! ⚡️

[@nickbristol3457]

This was so cool to watch! Loved those images too and now waiting for part 2.

[@sakebombyum]

Shootings monsoons is challenging isn't it? It's all about the right place at the right time with a composition that works.

[@Silverfox2904]

This is awesome ... 6 Stars for a 5-Star rating. I literally can smell the Desert while I'm watching. Thank you

[@kevinarrowsmith6955]

Exceptional! Great stuff Nick

[@kenpeterson3414]

Lightning is in my Wheelhouse so always interested in methods.Great Video...Ken in West Valley of Phoenix..

[@JoshuaEpley1]

Live in Tucson, love seeing you here.

[@garyheaton3302]

I always like seeing two different views of the same vlog.

[@wade9014]

Guys welcome to Arizona. Sure happy we are having a monsoon this year! Hope you enjoyed your travels while in AZ.

[@tobyjugg6202]

Brilliant watching the 2 of you out of your comfort zone and using ALL your skills to get some amazing results. A joy to watch you being chilled and MS being all frantic :)

[@janetelsworthy1710]

Nicky, you are the Master of storm photography! Amazing images, as always. Loved the good natured banter between you and Michael too.

[@johnpunnett1426]

Awesome images as always....👍

[@duncanwallace7760]

Epic.. and when there's a 'to be continued', you know there's something very good to come.

[@PKmode]

I was just out there for the past 10 days (Tucson and Green Valley). Would have been cool to meet up with some like minded photogs but didn't bring my gear. We were treated to several days of storms in a row. I wish I would have brought my stuff but I wasn't there to shoot this time.

[@NathanGPhotos]

Soooooo good! Thanks for sharing Nick...look forward to the next one. And a very well timed distraction for me too from my daily grind. Hopefully I won’t be stuck in work meetings for the next Premiere.

[@kellifoulstone5629]

Absolutely brilliant imagery. Never had much luck with lightning shots, but always aspire to try again after watching your videos.

[@dradmin792]

guys ! It's incredibly cool !!!!

[@nicksaunders106]

Awesome set of images mr Page!!

[@krazyhartin]

I love what you guys do.

[@rodmackay9336]

Your videos just keep getting better and better Nick. The best photography channel on you tube by a long way. I can't even imagine the effort that must go into putting this together. Keep it up man, can't wait for the next one.

[@wilfriedklein6066]

Awesome, very awesome Nick 👏👏👏 I would love to be there with you🙋‍♂️

[@SeanParkerPhotography]

Great chasing with you guys while you were here!

[@NickPage]

you too man, your debut will be a couple videos.. that Playa day was pretty awesome.

[@terrybartick1754]

Thank you, Nick

[@JohnPaul-ii]

Excellent final location Nick, definitely worth the looking. Thanks again for sharing. Looking forward to seeing the next part. Stay safe 🇦🇺

[@robertocastro4403]

Amazing! Looking forward for your and Michael's next videos

[@1603shadow]

Great video love the final images

[@JohannesS]

Phenomenal work Nick!!

[@iKeto_gal]

Michael Shainblum is wonderful! I love his zen like energy. His videos are great

[@AdventureswithJerrod]

Real talk I didn’t know cacti’s moved in the wind lol. I enjoyed the video as always Nick!

[@davidsweet8837]

Fantastic job Nick!!!

[@smiffy5467]

Very cool episode Nick, great to see you back and turning out awesome content.. 👍🇬🇧

[@ianhamer4294]

Luv it, hurry up part 2

[@Lindsay_Brunton]

Great video Nick. I would've paid good money to have been on a workshop with you that night!

[@njbinkers]

This was great to watch since I am from the PNW and now live in Mesa Arizona, and got to see these storms roll through.

[@KasiaCoe]

Spectacular!

[@tanweercaa]

Wonderful hard work, thanks.

[@tessm3420]

I failed miserably with the storms i shot in Utah was not at all prepared for it..and i dont shoot enough low light to nail those settings ...we are in a bad drought so i didnt even get to practice before the trip..lol oh well always next year to redeem myself!! Great video & shots as usual!

[@paulus0109]

Great “duovlog”, awesome filmed, great photo’s. Loved it Nick and Michael. Thnx.v.m.

[@jacktaylor6190]

Your skill amazes us!

[@ShaunaGmakeup]

Amazing! 😎Cheers

[@andrewscott743]

Loved it! Your videos are awesome🙌

[@jimscholz2997]

Beyond Awesome.... Thanks...