This was my first attempt ever to photograph lightning.
As the storm rolled into Minsk, Belarus about 12:30am, I set the camera up on the tripod on our balcony. Set the shutter to 30 seconds, aperture F11, 18mm, with the 2 second mirror lockup. Started shooting. Took about 30 shots had 3 with lightning strikes in them, this was the best of them.
Levels, cloned out sensor dust, noise, small cloud that the lightning cut through at the top of the screen and a couple of bright lights from the bottom of the picture. Unsharp mask, and resize for web.
Statistics
Place: 28 out of 200 Avg (all users): 6.2203 Avg (commenters): 7.2000 Avg (participants): 6.0400 Avg (non-participants): 6.3622 Views since voting: 2054 Views during voting: 472 Votes: 227 Comments: 13 Favorites: 1 (view)
Fit Challenge Criteria: 2/2
Color/Contrast: 0/2
Composition: 2/2
Photo Quality: 0/2
My Subjective Affinity: 0/2
I really like lightning shots, but this one has way too much color in the sky. There is not smooth transition in color from the lighting to the rest of the sky. Lots of grain in the clouds.
I wish there was a bit more foreground to balance the sky, but the sillouette and sky tone are great, the clouds make the strike even better. nice work.
Damn theres a huge storm outside now and I can't figure out the settings I need for this shot. Excellent clarity and fantastic colors as well as a photo I'd hang on my wall. Well done and good luck in this challenge. <9>
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
