Lightning 2007

I caught this from the safety of my covered front porch during a

nearby electrical storm last spring. Of 100+ seven second shots, this

was the only one to capture anything worthwhile. I'm glad I wasn't

standing about two miles SSW of my house at the time!

Wow, the first three raters have been very kind. Thank you. As I look at this image more, I'm wondering if it would be better if I were to clone out the street light right next to the main bolt, as well as the flag pole right next to the distant bolt. Do those features make the shot more "real" (given that it's obviously an urban setting), or would it be better if they were missing?

Great lightning shot! The only thing that disturbs me is the little bright rectangle of light bottom right. Other than that the rest is well done.

 

John

OK, I printed this one a few days ago for an exhibit, and that prompted me to do some further editing first. I removed the white square (an illuminated billboard) as well as the flag pole by the distant bolt and the light pole by the closer bolt. I think I also added a touch more magenta to the sky. In both of these versions, I had already edited out a large drain pipe from the upper right corner. Check out my "sky" gallery and tell me how you think the new version compares. I know the billboard needed to go, but I'm not sure if the poles were really necessary.

See the new version

Ben,

Great shot.

Lightning can be difficult to capture well.

I recently captured some good ones using 2 second shutter opening.

Keep on shooting pictures.

Doug Settle