A Field Guide to Hurricane Photography

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

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

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.

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Other examples: (1, 2)

2. The Rising Tide

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

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

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

Diagnostic traits: expensive equipment, windswept clothing, general chaos. High potential for self-inflicted damage.

Other examples: (1, 2)

6. The SandBag

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

Diagnostic traits: Objects more sideways than usual. These scenes sometimes attract Intrepid Journalists.

Other examples: (1,2)

8. The "Are you insane?"

Diagnostic traits: subjects apparently unaware there's a hurricane going on.

Other examples: (1, 2, 3, 4)

9. The #Instacane

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

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.