From: SGT W Brian Watkins, Washington, D.C., US Army Visual Information Center (USAVIC), Television Division (Remote)
Here’s a tip I picked up…that works really well for creating heat waves in your shot.
Set up a light on a stand about a foot in front of your lens. Tilt the light so it’s perpendicular to the ground (so that your shooting over the light). We all know how hot lights get.
The waves generated by the light will distort the shot enough to make even the coolest day look like seem like a desert. Great for heat wave spots, or doc b-roll.