Lightning from Tropical Storm Ernesto in the Gulf of Mexico

[shelbygt]

I hope this is the correct forum to post lightning pics. This was taken the other night from a feeder storm, there wasn't much lightning in the storm, but I got lucky with this one.
Peace,
Dave

http://spectrum-photo.com/lightninghdsn.jpg

[One Eyed Jack]

Got lucky all right. Great shot dude.

[Nicky D]

Incredible! I would love to have that kind of luck.

[justin carpenter]

wow, awesome, very dramatic. Nice one.

[rrljk]

Brilliant shot

[-Pleiades-]

Great shot, how did you light the foreground?

[justjoem]

Very nice shot. Is the foreground lit by very dim incandescent lights? I noticed on the exif data that the shot was taken at ISO 100 and f/6.7 for 30 seconds. I assume the foreground appeared very dark to the naked eye when you took the pic. Shots like this are much more skill and determination than luck. Well done!

[NatsRoses]

Gorgeous ...can I have that luck too?? :)

[Ferco]

wow!!! that is unbelieable!! i have always wondered how you guys get such great shots of lightning? do you sit and wait for the lightning to show with a fast shutter speed? or is there another trick? i though mabye just watchign it and getting a general idea of where it is flashing and then you could hopefully predict roughly where it will appear? or do you simply choose one place and wait for the lightning to hit there? just curious lol

[mpilar]

What an amazing photograph. The lighting on the foreground is fantastic! There's a lot more skill than luck invovled with a picture like that.
-Mike

[taygull]

Really great shot. I was shooting the same subject on Sunday ust not in your neck of the woods.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=208857

[benf64]

Nice Shot! Where was it taken?

[Gabbana]

oh my, that is one killer shot.

[rskirby]

I'm just a beginner, but WOW!!!!! That's the kinda shots I long for!!!!!

[KartGirlsMom]

breathtaking

[pttenn]

Which lens were you using?????? Terrific, terrific shot. I am sooo jealous.

[Transportithere]

Sweet, Did you use a flash? The foreground lighting is great. The lighting is fantastic. Thank you for sharing...

[SuzyView]

Wonderful. Get a frame for it!

[madchadder]

That is one kick butt lightning shot.

[shelbygt]

Hey, thanks for all the compliments!! :p
And yes, luck is really a factor. The shot was taken at Hudson Beach (just north of Tampa/Clearwater), Florida. I used the widest lens I currently have, a Tamron 19-35 3.5-4.5 which works well because it is not too wide to cause barrel distortion. Most of the time I shoot lightning I use a 30 second exposure (which eliminates the need for a cable release) as this is perfect for 30 second windows for lightning strikes to appear. If you have multiple strikes in one frame ...you may have to cover the lens for the remainder of the exposure, so it is not over exposed. The foreground was conveniently lit for me by lights at the park just behind where I was shooting. If you look closely, you can see ducks that were swimming around in the small pond to the right. Taygull your shot is totally awesome, you have to be on top of that shutter to get a good daytime shot. I have yet to get anything useable in daylight....but someday..... One major factor when shooting lightning, is getting something interesting in the foreground, otherwise the shot is pretty boring.
Thanks to all, you put a smile on my face today,
Dave

[taygull]

Hey, thanks for all the compliments!! :p
Taygull your shot is totally awesome, you have to be on top of that shutter to get a good daytime shot. I have yet to get anything useable in daylight....but someday.....

Thanks Dave!

I took about 300 pictures trying to get the lightning....it was a game of patience and timing. Your shot is just fantastic!

[brettrobsonphotography]

Love the shot, one of my "To do" list shots is Lightning and Fireworks, you have done so well here, excellent work

[R Hardman]

Oooooo..... aaaaaahhhhhh. Great shot! ;)

[Billginthekeys]

awesome shot.

[dewmuw]

That is superb - one of the best lightning shots i have seen.

[MarkoPolo]

At the risk of being redundant---what they all said---wow! Thanks for sharing.

[PEACHMAN]

Holy moly!

[CarsRFun]

wow thats great!!!

[PhotogJeff]

Awesome.

[Anthony J Howe]

'Cracking' good shot!
This shot of the lightening bolt is beautifully composed.
Best lightening shot I have seen, well done.

[TARPONTIM]

STRIKEING PHOTO a beauty.

[kr88]

Excellence!

[nbrendal]

amazing photo, well done!

[johnstoy]

Awsome, just be careful, the landscape is level for hundreds
of miles...sparks do fly somewhere....Beautiful shot...It's actually inviting to sit by the nice warm evening light......

John

[cleverer]

Absolutely stunning--and truly inspiring!

[catsith]

absolutely awesome!! That had better be framed and hung on your wall!

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Spectacular!

[FREEZE]

Ditto on all the above and yes i'd love to hear how you lit the foreground if you don't mind
AWESOME SHOT!!!

[bromm]

Fantastic shot, I usually expose for 30 sec. as well, but i use the remote. Your foreground fits the scene perfectly and the ducks are a bonus. Definatly a wall hanger. Congrats on a beauty of a shot.

[Mark0159]

First let me say one thing. Fantastic shot and I wish we would get that kinda of lighting around here. It's something that I would love to try and capture myself.

The only thing I would change is the crop. I think the fence line is great. It brings the viewer closer to the picture.

I think the photo would do well wide and printed very large.

http://www.cuthbert.net.nz/potn/lightninghdsn.jpg

[taygull]

The crop does not work for me at all, the ducks and the pond are an important part of the shot...makes it seem more real.