Lightning over Pine Key, FL

Hello everyone!





This would in fact be my first post here. I'm really happy to see a forum here on this site since I visit it daily even without it. I am still new to photography as I just started about two years ago. I have found it difficult to move forward in this profession due to the cost of the equipment and I come from a rather poor family. This current photo seems to be everyone's favorite and I happen to like it as well. However there's something missing that I cannot put my finger on. This was shot with a 350D and Sigma 28-70 so there is some softness on the edges and barrel distortion is present. As for the rest of the specs: f/8, 25sec, ISO 200, 28mm


I hope to get some good opinions and look forward to reading more posts here as more and more people learn about this forum. I know I have spread the word. Thanks!!





Rick


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great foto!

I have to say that photo is one of the best lightning related photos I've seen. That was one heck-uf-a bolt!


Rick (another one)

Very nice shot, keep up the good work.

That's an awesome shot Rick!


I don't have much advice for you. You could try increasing the saturation to see if that gives you the change you are looking for.

Wow! Nice shot. Obviously not hand held or you would have jumped!

Not knowing if you have Photoshop or have played with software like Topaz Labs "Adjust" product, you may want to try their product on your photo. That pic really has a lot of possibility for software like the "Adjust" product. If you have Photoshop, you can download a fully functional free trial from here:


Topaz Labs Adjust


Rick

I've always wanted to try shooting lightning, but have never gotten around to it. Great shot!

Standing in the water the electricity will automatically trigger the shutter. Just kidding, don't try that at home. Great photo, did you use an automatic trigger, or just get unbelieveably lucky?


Thanks for posting,


Tom

I've shot hundreds of frames of lightning on storm chases over the years, this shot puts them all to shame.Absolutely a magnificent shot.

Dallas nails it: "absolutely a magnificent shot"


Really epic composition too, I've never seen anything quite like this. Maybe it's the water. Very powerful!


Anything to add you ask? ...tell how you captured it.

great pic...how in lords name can you identify barrel distortion and sof edges on that shot...stop pixel counting so much and enjoy the result would be my only advise

Rick You can accept what you see. It's very powerful and a one in a million image capture. You should enjoy it for what it says. Looks like you are doing fine with the equipment here. It's the person behind the tool that makes great photographs pulling the most out of what there is to work with. Thanks for sharing this.

Hi Bryan,





I wanted to thank you for both the comment left and the advice from my e-mail about the 5D2 and 1Ds2. Sorry for the late reply and post as I was without a computer this weekend. Doesn't look like I will be able to pick up either body. Just doesn't seem like I'll ever catch a break. I'm sure I'll talk to you later!!





Rick

No trigger here, however I would like to try it out someday. I live in Tampa, FL and during the months from mid May (if I'm lucky) to about late October there are thunderstorms that you can just about set your watch to everday. During that time I set my alarm on my cell phone to 12am and 2:30am so I can wake up and check the radar on it. This particular night there were a couple very small cells rolling in off the gulf so I got out of bed and flew out to the Skyway bridge (I-275) which goes over the opening of Tampa bay. There is a small rest stop there on either side of the bridge where I can pull right up to the water, get out of the car and walk down the shore a few yards to set up. So here I am on the water line with my tripod as low as it will go while squatting down to take pictures of the incoming storm (nothing around for 30 yards or so, I just happened to be the tallest thing out there. NOT something I like). This was the third frame taken that night of about 30 before I had to leave and drive to work. Summers are bad for me since I work about 40 miles from home and usually do not get any sleep as I'm out shooting storms from 1am-5am until I have no choice but to leave and go to work. Had some close calls (within 20 yards before) and I'm sure I'll get struck sooner or later but the rewards, for me at least, are worth it. Anyway, I'm glad everyone seemed to like it. Again, I'm sorry it took so long to respond. Talk to you all later!!





Rick

Thanks John. It's sooooo hard sometimes when I think about what I could really do if I had the equipment I wanted. One day...I will get a 1Ds and some decent lenses. Maybe then I can get my photos out there. I can't imagine the kind of detail I could pull out of that lightning with a full frame high res camera. I won't even get started with med format!! ;-)





Hey, it's a goal. A little something to reach for.





Rick

*picks jaw off floor*


Beautiful.


Add a good line, and you can sell them on Skymall as inspirational posters :)

I think that with photoshop you can fix this photo, and make it more like you want it too. It can also take the barrel distortion out, and you should try to burn the highlights in the clouds to make them stand out more in photoshop. Otherwise I think you've got an amazing shot.

Quick update....Got a 1Ds2!! Now of course, I have to wait for storm season :-(


But this season is going to be REALLY fun. Picked up the 100mm Macro lens with it so I have something to help pass the time. This lens is by far the most fun I've had with new glass! I am obviously new to Macro so I will be putting up some shots for critique. Talk to you all soon.

Very cool photo!

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Originally Posted by lightning_chaser

Quick update....Got a 1Ds2!! Now of course, I have to wait for storm season :-(


But this season is going to be REALLY fun. Picked up the 100mm Macro lens with it so I have something to help pass the time. This lens is by far the most fun I've had with new glass! I am obviously new to Macro so I will be putting up some shots for critique. Talk to you all soon.
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I am truly happy for (and jealous of) you to have the 1Ds2! Your excitement is inspiring...keep it up.