Is this shot even possible

[Lightstream]

I THINK it is but in an era of so much Photoshop one would be almost compelled to take a second look, so I'm throwing it out here. Technically I think it possible but the odds are just so incredible.

This is a forwarded picture and (obviously) not my own work, a friend sent this to me with no credit to the original photog. If the author of the work can be identified and would prefer it to be taken down please contact me by PM. Meanwhile I'll just host it on my gallery.

The only text in the email was
Check out this awesome photo this one deserves an award. Fireworks, Lightning, Sunset, a Comet, and the greatest of Aussie icons, the Beach all in one image.
In addition to the obvious features in the photo, look between the two displays of lighting up the sky to see the third

That's it..

It looks like a pano-cropped fisheye shot to me because of the distortion of the horizon. Possibly a mild fisheye, 15mm fish, not the extreme 8mm fish.

http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2337&g2_serialNumber=2

click here for full size (http://pix.lightrefineries.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2336&g2_serialNumber=1)

[Michael]

I can confirm existence of all of the events going on in the photo, but I can not say that it is real. Im pretty sure this is Australia Day, near Hillarys Boat Harbour, in Perth WA. I was sent this by a friend the other day, and it is indeed a great photo.

[Lightstream]

Did all of them happen simultaneously? If so that lends additional credibility. I'm thinking that yes, with a sufficiently wide angle (a fish being prety DARN wide ;) ), it could be possible. I'm looking for giveaways like dynamic range, whether it would be possible to do all of these, but DR seems OK. Shadows.. yup. Movement trails and ghosting of some of the people, yup, consistent with a long exposure. EXIF - no exif though, but image editors sometimes strip this out.

It could be a lucky shot, with chances increased by the fact that the photog was running a long exposure for the fireworks, enough to catch the comet and lightning simultaneously. Good to see some skeptical eyes looking at it.. if it is verified, it just makes it all the more awesome a photo :)

[Wilt]

Note the shadows on the ground cast from somewhere off the scene. Let's assume 'around sunset'. Do you know of anywhere that shoots major public displays of fireworks while the sun is still visible enough to cast shadows on the ground? They wait until dark.
I don't live where thunderstorms and lightning are common, but I would also think that the extreme range in brightness of the clouds from one end of the shot to the other side seems artificial.
The sparkler light streaks at the edge of the water indicate a somewhat long exposure, yet there is not trace of motion seen among the onlookers...they would have to be all frozen motionless by aliens!

It is certainly manipulated. All at the same time...questionable.

[thekid24]

Would people just be chilling ont he beach while theres a storm on the horizon? I dunno I dont live anywhere by the beach I was just curious. Also if its that bright of a blast wouldnt it cast more light on the darker side of the water? I dunno but whether its ps'd or not its a beautiful photo.

[PhotosGuy]

If you want to show something that you haven't personally shot, you can just post a link to it. (C) issues?
IMAGE POSTING RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74718)

I wouldn't say it's impossible, but it just doesn't look right?
OTOH, this one doesn't either, but I had fun doing it?
;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20General/Lightningtornado.jpg

[cdifoto]

Beaches are usually cleared by authorities in the event of a lightning storm.

[drparker]

Note the shadows on the ground cast from somewhere off the scene. Let's assume 'around sunset'. Do you know of anywhere that shoots major public displays of fireworks while the sun is still visible enough to cast shadows on the ground? They wait until dark.
I don't live where thunderstorms and lightning are common, but I would also think that the extreme range in brightness of the clouds from one end of the shot to the other side seems artificial.
The sparkler light streaks at the edge of the water indicate a somewhat long exposure, yet there is not trace of motion seen among the onlookers...they would have to be all frozen motionless by aliens!

It is certainly manipulated. All at the same time...questionable.

I see motion blur in the onlookers. The shadows seem to be consistent with the direction of the city lights and fireworks. A long exposure can almost seem like day and you can get shadows cast at night on long exposure especially if the moon is out.

Would people just be chilling ont he beach while theres a storm on the horizon? I dunno I dont live anywhere by the beach I was just curious. Also if its that bright of a blast wouldnt it cast more light on the darker side of the water? I dunno but whether its ps'd or not its a beautiful photo.

If you know the regular storm track sure. I used to sit on a peninsula of a beach and watch thunder and lighting move down the main land and it never really hit the beach I was on.

Beaches are usually cleared by authorities in the event of a lightning storm. Only a highly controlled beach with limited access, life guards etc.. There of thousands of beaches in the world where the authorities would never bother.

I'm not say the photos real or not real but these are not reasons to say it's fake.

[Wilt]

I do see a number of things which indicate motion especially near the water, but also in the lady to the right of the shot. It still bothers me that things are not consistent in the photo...some people have harder edged shadows behind them, others have very diffuse shadows, and the people can be seated right next to each other! ???

[Michael]

All of the events in the photo DID happen at the same time. The fireworks were on at about 9 pm, which is just when it gets dark here. I remember the lightning that night, and the comet was definitely in the sky that night too.

In Australia, I'm pretty sure that the authorities wouldn't care if people were sitting on the beach during a storm.

Based on the fact that the events did actually all occur at the same time, I'm more inclined to say that this photo is real.

[Jim G]

Heh, I've been to the beach for many storms and haven't seen or heard of anybody clearing the beach - this is east coast Australia in the third largest city on this coast. The council/police seem to assume that most people have the commonsense to clear off anyway and mostly everyone does.


I'd be pretty damn happy to take that photo if all the stuff is real... beautiful timing :)

[R_Metzel]

If it is real, great capture. I would print and hang it proudly on my wall.

[michael_]

someone mentioned on another forum that it is fake as the commet wasnt over perth at that time.

[hvman]

Taken from the OCAU (http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showpost.php?p=6902170&postcount=55) forums:

Direct from the source (though relayed by a friend live)

Picture was taken in about a 5 min window, with 30 second exposures (its 3 photos stitched). Apparently it took a lot of pictures to get the lightning right. It was taken with a Nikon d50.

Apparently the width of 1337 was a coincidence (after setting the height).


Any specific questions to ask? (though i assume with a gmail account listed he'll get a lot of emails :P)

Taken from this site apparently http://jkemppainen.com/antti/. If you click on the main image on this site you can get the EXIF of one of the images in the stitch.

[Croasdail]

Other then being multiple images done as a pano, I don't see why this can't be a true composite image. I don't but the comet things though. It just looks like a jet whose contrail is being lite by the setting sun.

[gjl711]

someone mentioned on another forum that it is fake as the commet wasnt over perth at that time. I think you hit it. Wasn't the comet south of the sun? Also, the comet tail always points away from the sun, not toward the sun as it does in this picture. And looking at the comet posts in this forum, the comet arched the other way. So at least the comet has been photoshopped in.

[ilovemycamera]

who gives a ****... the picture is as awesome as they come... regardless if it was one photo or three photos stitched together, it is a sweet pic.

some people have great pp skills, and i respect that. as for the o.p.'s question... yeah- i think it is definitely possible.

I'm jealous i can't call it my own!

[short5]

Would people just be chilling ont he beach while theres a storm on the horizon? I dunno I dont live anywhere by the beach I was just curious.
LOL you live in tornado country, I imagine you start looking for shelter when you see lightning:)
Beaches are usually cleared by authorities in the event of a lightning storm.

Where? I have never heard of this but I also don't go to life guarded beaches so I don't know.

[H.B.]

Beaches are usually cleared by authorities in the event of a lightning storm.

You cant be for real? How often has this happened to you or are you only guessing? I've sat on many a beach and watched lightning going off (I'm a keen fisherman) and have never ever been told to go home.

HB.