A photographer from Tonneins in the Lot-et-Garonne region has found the perfect way to showcase his unique passion for storm photography. Julien Mivielle is displaying around twenty of his most spectacular storm photographs at the Côté Garonne Le Balcon des Dames restaurant on cours de l'Yser, with the exhibition running until October 30, 2025.

Mivielle has built a reputation as a storm chaser, known for his unusual hobby of pursuing thunderstorms to capture the most dramatic lightning shots. For several years now, locals have spotted him heading out whenever storm clouds gather, racing to follow lightning strikes and create breathtaking images. From his extensive collection, he carefully selected about twenty photographs for this special exhibition at the iconic city restaurant.

The exhibition came about through the vision of restaurant owner Viviane Vermorel-Dubreuil, who had announced plans to organize cultural events and showcase local artists when the restaurant first opened. Mivielle, who established himself as a portrait photographer in the city in 2021, also creates fine art photography. "The theme of the exhibition presented itself to me through passion," explained the photographer.

What draws Mivielle to storm photography is the technical challenge it presents. "It's the same principle as fireworks or light painting. You use a long exposure to capture the bright lights," he explained, noting the importance of carefully balancing the exposure to avoid capturing too much light. This technique allows him to freeze the dramatic moment when lightning illuminates the sky.

For this exhibition, Mivielle selected twenty photographs taken since 2018, including one that was featured on the morning television show "météo à la carte." "I could have put up 200," smiled the photographer, who rarely misses an opportunity to go storm chasing. His dedication to the craft has resulted in an impressive portfolio that captures the raw power and beauty of nature's electrical displays.

Mivielle often joins forces with other storm-chasing enthusiasts who share his passion. "We call each other and meet up at a spot," he explained, describing the community of photographers who pursue these dramatic weather events. Like seasoned hunters, they have developed knowledge of the best locations for their unique quarry.

"Just like there are good mushroom spots, there are good lightning spots," Mivielle noted, revealing the insider knowledge that storm photographers develop over time. He frequently travels to these prime locations during stormy nights, though he has learned to be strategic about his expeditions. "I prefer a short chase of 30 minutes to an hour over a long chase that only yields two photos," he explained, emphasizing the importance of efficiency in storm photography.

Looking toward future projects, Mivielle has set himself a new challenge: capturing images of the Milky Way. However, this astronomical photography goal faces significant obstacles from light pollution in the surrounding urban areas. He is currently searching for the ideal location with minimal light interference to photograph our galaxy.

The storm photography exhibition offers visitors to Côté Garonne restaurant a unique opportunity to experience the dramatic beauty of thunderstorms through Mivielle's lens. The display showcases years of dedicated storm chasing and technical expertise, bringing the raw power of nature indoors. The exhibition will remain on display until October 30, 2025, at the Côté Garonne restaurant in Tonneins.