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Disaster Coverage Photography Storm Irene in Vermont 2011

Watch this photography tutorial video to learn how to photograph during a natural disaster
Article By Sasha Gitin Video By Sasha Gitin, edited by Robert Grant

18

What can you do to help people of Vermont?

People and small businesses there do need your help.

Red Cross Donations:
At this time, financial contributions provide the greatest flexibility for a Red Cross response. Donations can be made at www.vermontredcross.org

The Vermont Irene Flood Relief Fund:
Administered by Central Vermont Community Action, will raise funds to help affected business owners get their doors open quickly. Donations can be made online www.vtirenefund.org

Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund: www.vermontcf.org/give-now/

Donate $10 to the Vermont Foodbank to pay for food that will go to food banks in communities most impacted by Irene. Text the word FOODNOW to 52000 to make a $10 donation that will show up on your next cellphone bill.

Photographer’s Role During Emergency Events

We are now living in a world where unfortunate events are beginning to happen more often. Just think about it: earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, forest fires, terrorist attacks, wars, famine, riots, occasional crazy people just blow up stuff or shoot others for no good reason. All these things of horrific proportions have happened just in the past 6 month. What is the role of photographer during these moments in time? You tell me.

In my opinion the camera gives us power to tell our own story.
tropical storm irene vermont
Photo by Sasha Gitin. The end of the road. Rt100 near Wardsboro, Vermont. USA

Be ready for a disaster:

    • Keep you camera bag in check all the time
    • Batteries fully charged
    • Cards formatted
    • Carry the camera with you all the time (if you don’t want to drag dSLR around at least have a good point and shoot with you)

roof of the hourse, irene 2011 vermont

Photo by Sasha Gitin. “Lost Roof” Rt100 near Wilmington, Vermont. ISO 1600 time 0.6/sec f5.6

What to do with the photos?

Once you have captured your unique images, there are a number of ways to put them in good use:

    • Publish them in newspapers: Simply contact your local newspaper and tell them you have footage of the resent events. Send images over asap. If you feel your images are of national or international significance then contact national or international publications. Its a good idea to start building your contact list ahead of time. So when the time comes, you will not need to spend time researching.
    • News is no longer solely supplied by news corporations. Individuals have the power to share news and images instantly via. Twitter, facebook, flickr etc… And more and more people are turning to social media for news as appose to TV.
    • Tell your own story and have your photos exhibited. 20- 30 photographs will make a good exhibition. Contact your local art galleries and put a show together.
    • Contact other artists in your local community (look via camera clubs, creig’s list etc, see if other artists are working on the same theme and team up.
    • You can use your photos to start a fundraiser or donate images to organizations that already have one going.

irene flood vermont 2011
Photo by Sasha Gitin. “Drying up”. Rt100 near Wilmington, Vermont. USA

Share your images: If you photographed images during Tropical Storm Irene please post your shot here below using “Share Your Shot” link in comments. Please include the location and date.

Sasha Gitin
This Article was produced by Sasha Gitin and Robert Grant: co-founders of LearnMyShot.com.  Sasha is a fabulous food Photographer shooting for advertising and editorial industries. Robert Grant is a very creative Commercial Photographer shooting advertising and editorial, based in Connecticut. Two humble guys trying to keep you educated and entertained.

Tags: disaster, disaster coverage, floods, hurricane, irene, relief, tropical storm

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18 Comments

Eric Sandroski
7 years ago

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West Pittston PA

This is a shot of West Pittston PA after the flooding occured.

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    7 years ago



    Surreal. great post processing job !

Cathy Smith
7 years ago

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Great footage on the storm,Sasha! One thing I didn’t know that my camera Canon Rebel XS was water proof.Always worried about taking pictures in the rain in fear it would get wet and ruined.

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    7 years ago



    I am not sure if Rebel in water proof. I know 40d, 50d, 7d, 5d are. Please check before betting it wet :)

    Cathy Smith
    7 years ago



    Sure will,thanks Sasha

joe taylor
7 years ago

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Some wave action on the island

We got hit but it was not as bad as the weather man/woman said!

    Robert Grant
    Robert Grant
    7 years ago



    That’s a rough surf, glad it wasn’t too bad.

Eugene Lagana
7 years ago

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Red barn floating down the river

Flooding at Greenwood Lake in West Milford, New Jersey. One day after Irene. I live in this town and didn’t have to travel more than 1/2 mile to see heart breaking destruction.

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    7 years ago



    REALLY BEAUTIFUL IMAGE you froze the time. It feels calm and peaceful for a moment, thank you for sharing. . p.s my Sister lives in Middle Town, NJ she didn’t have electricity for 5 days

    CLAUDETTE GINTER
    7 years ago



    Great job Sasha, i shot fire photography for years and had to balance my emotions with my duty to capture the event as it unfolded. I used to whisper a prayer under my breath that everyone would be safe. Eugene great capture, the image is beautiful but the message is not lost – you know this is the result of a flood.

    Eugene Lagana
    7 years ago



    Thanks for the comments. Some areas got hit hard and others not at all. Any homes near any kind of stream, river or lake got flooded, we were lucky. Claudette, I saw wrote a book, I’d love to hear about it.Thanks,-Eugene

    joe taylor
    7 years ago



    Great shot hope the people just lost there shed and not there house!!

Nick Carter
7 years ago

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Sasha,Loss of life and home, small scale and large is always so tragic. The destruction that was caused in the north east is no exception and my prayers go out for them. I was really inspired by your video. It showed that us non-journalists can document tragedy and bring awareness and help/hope to those directly impacted. Your intellect and wit are clearly demonstrated, very nice job!

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    7 years ago



    well said Nick, thank you

franco scozzarella
7 years ago

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Bravo Sasha! first of all my solidarity for people who suffer, Ciao

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    7 years ago



    Thank you Franco

Juan Martos
7 years ago

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First express my regret and my solidarity with the people of the area. Now congratulate you for this excellent article, you’ve got with your video to show the tragedy, raise awareness and teach us that a camera can also be a great help to those who suffering such disasters. Great lessons!Thank you Sasha.

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    7 years ago



    yep, that’s the point, thank you Juan



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