The art of photography only developed when fearless people were found who pointed the lenses of their cameras at one of the most terrifying forces of nature - the tornado.
Today, especially in the United States, there are many extreme photographers who look forward to bad weather and calculate the possibility of creating a beloved and frightening sight. They are also called tornado hunters. Armed with equipment and adrenaline, they rush to the eye of the storm for stunning pictures. Films and programs are made about their "hobbies".
This is a very dangerous business, as tornadoes can change direction at any moment. But imagine the level of risk in the 19th century - when there are no fast cars, no accurate predictions, and the technology is large and slow to set up. And, despite these factors, there were photographers willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a good shot. The rain and hail accompanying the tornado are, in this case, the smallest problems.
Previously, photographs of tornadoes were bought for newspapers and research. Today, many photographs are kept in museums and libraries. For example, the McFarlin Library at the University of Tulsa (TU) recently acquired a photograph of a tornado in Oklahoma City on May 12, 1896 (see main photo). This shot is by Thomas Croft. The photo has faded, the image has blurred over time, but it is still quite scary to imagine yourself in the vicinity of a hurricane that is about to reach wooden houses. It was an F2 tornado that struck five miles outside the northwestern city of Oklahoma City, smashing four farms, destroying one barn, and killing a number of poultry.
Croft's photograph is considered the first photograph of a tornado. National Geographic claims the oldest photograph is April 26, 1884, by an unknown photographer in South Dakota. All works are worth attention and are filled with the drama of the event. We offer you to see photos of a tornado that became a disaster for people who lived about 130 years ago.
Cyclone in Oklahoma, 1898 / Library of Congress
Tornado in Howard, South Dakota, August 28, 1884 / National Geografic
Photographer Clinton Johnson, North Dakota Tornado 1895 / Library of Congress
Promotional video:
Photographer from Ponca City, tornado 1890-1920, / Library of Congress
Tornado aftermath in Wallingford, Connecticut, August 9, 1878 / New York Public Library
Marina Guillen