Star Barn lightning shot - my first lightning

wholenewlightwholenewlight Registered Users Posts: 1,529 Major grins
edited June 24, 2006 in Wildlife
77155256-L.jpg

This is my first attempt at a lightning shot.

But there is some camera movement on the barn. It's actually a handheld shot. I wasn't prepared for lightning shooting. Had the camera in the car with me but no tripod. Dumb. This was taken by bracing the camera against the car window frame.

I was on my way home from a late business meeting and noticed a violent electrical storm coming through. Coming past the Star Barn near Harrisburg, PA, I decided to see what I could come up with.
john w
http://cspics.smugmug.com/

I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
Edward Steichen

Comments

  • raianraian Registered Users Posts: 260 Major grins
    edited June 23, 2006
    Great capture. I want to try my hand at lightning shots too. We usually get some good thunder-crackers in the hot afternoons around here. I just don't want to be outside shooting then. Maybe I will sit in my truck :)
  • THE TOUCHTHE TOUCH Registered Users Posts: 535 Major grins
    edited June 23, 2006
    Sweet! Love the scenery.

    I was thinking of attempting lightening too...then I remembered that I live in Bakersfield!!!rolleyes1.gif
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein :bash

    - Kevin
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited June 23, 2006
    Nice work John.

    Maybe a higher F-number will get the buildings in focus also.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • KhaosKhaos Registered Users Posts: 2,435 Major grins
    edited June 23, 2006
    Nice shot.
    Though it wasn't intentional, I think the blur of the buildings actually adds to the shot. I think it helps draw your eyes more to the lightning and gives it a more powerful feel.
  • raianraian Registered Users Posts: 260 Major grins
    edited June 24, 2006
    Looking at this again, I agree with Khaos. The barn almost has a dreamy feeling to it. You definitely focus on the lightning. Again, this is a great shot!
  • wholenewlightwholenewlight Registered Users Posts: 1,529 Major grins
    edited June 24, 2006
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    Nice work John.

    Maybe a higher F-number will get the buildings in focus also.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.

    probably not - I think I was already at f116 with the zoom toward the wide side - the softness is due to camera movement - 16 second exposure propped against the car window frame. A tripod was the missing ingredient
    john w
    http://cspics.smugmug.com/

    I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
    Edward Steichen

  • wholenewlightwholenewlight Registered Users Posts: 1,529 Major grins
    edited June 24, 2006
    raian wrote:
    Looking at this again, I agree with Khaos. The barn almost has a dreamy feeling to it. You definitely focus on the lightning. Again, this is a great shot!

    thanks for all the comments !!!!
    john w
    http://cspics.smugmug.com/

    I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
    Edward Steichen

  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited June 24, 2006
    very nice.
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Sign In or Register to comment.