September Storm
EXIF Data
FOCAL LENGTH: 5.8 mm
APERTURE: f/5.6
SHUTTER: 1.6 sec
ISO: N/A
This is a photo I took literally minutes ago as a massive electrical storm passed over the top of my home here on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. I am pretty blown away by this shot and I expect people to think this is jazzed up in photoshop, so I will explain how I took the shot and what has been done to it since:
I used my usual device: my Canon IXUS 55. I switched the shot-type to “fireworks” and changed the shot frequency to “continuous”. Then I squatted at the edge of my patio, in the pouring rain, somehow trying to get the roof out of shot (failed) and half protect the lens without getting my grubby paw in shot (succeeded), while taking 150 photographs, one after the other, of the night sky. 2 shots almost caught a lightening strike, 1 shot got a glowing cloud, 146 shots were of pure blackness and 1 shot qualified for posting.
I imported the photos to my mac with iPhoto trashed most of them, exported this one to photoshop, enhanced the contrast by 0.10, decreased the exposure by 0.33, inserted my watermark, cropped half the roof of my house out of it and exported it to upload at these dimensions. So, yes, tweaked – but minimally. I hope you get something out of it. All I can say is that I wish I had of been able to record the clap(s) of thunder that came after it!!
I used my usual device: my Canon IXUS 55. I switched the shot-type to “fireworks” and changed the shot frequency to “continuous”. Then I squatted at the edge of my patio, in the pouring rain, somehow trying to get the roof out of shot (failed) and half protect the lens without getting my grubby paw in shot (succeeded), while taking 150 photographs, one after the other, of the night sky. 2 shots almost caught a lightening strike, 1 shot got a glowing cloud, 146 shots were of pure blackness and 1 shot qualified for posting.
I imported the photos to my mac with iPhoto trashed most of them, exported this one to photoshop, enhanced the contrast by 0.10, decreased the exposure by 0.33, inserted my watermark, cropped half the roof of my house out of it and exported it to upload at these dimensions. So, yes, tweaked – but minimally. I hope you get something out of it. All I can say is that I wish I had of been able to record the clap(s) of thunder that came after it!!
AWESOME !! dude, seriously one of the best lightning shots i have ever seen
holy cow. looks as if you are in a plane and took the shot from 30m away up in the sky. so much detail. awesome. the girls and i took 170 photos in one hour on the weekend. didnt quite capture a winning shot like yours but add champagne and 'like a tiger' in the works, and we came out with a few winners… haha.. trashbags x
Man – that IS COOL!
Wow, very cool.
Wow, what a great shot! I am in Noosa at the moment on holidays but we arrived on the 23rd so I guess we missed it
You're right – it is a great photo! Thanks for letting me know about it. It has brightened my day somewhat.
Hollah! Great capture! Now we all know where Metallica found the picture for Ride the Lightning's album cover… Be sure that I'm asleep or at work or wherever I cannot carry my camera with me when lightning strikes… And thank you for all the nice comments!
Hahah! Great comment Lary. Yes – that is an amazing piece of lightning action. I am still staggered the shot didn't completely overcook.
Wow, this is has got to be one of the most amazing "close" lightning photos I've ever seen.. It looks nasty and very threatening yet beautiful all at the same time. A wonderful capture.
Absolutely love lightning shots. This is a goodie. Your diligence paid off!