Stormy weather

[RagingInMiami]

So I tried capturing lightning for the first time last night. These pictures don't really do justice to the actual lightning that I saw. My timing was way off and I only captured a fraction of the lightning that struck over downtown Miami.

Also, when I first started taking the photos, I was using a monopod because I was too lazy to walk back to my car and get the tripod out. And I had the camera set to 400 ISO and f/2.8, which meant the photos were coming out overexposed.

When I finally put my camera on a tripod and dug my remote switch out of my camera bag, and realized the best thing to do is use a 100 ISO at f/8, the lightning stopped. As they say in Miami, if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.

At least now I'm better prepared for next time. Tell me which photo came out the best, in your opinion.




one


two


three


four


five


six

[intheflow]

1. These pictures don't do justice to the lightning you saw?

Are you kidding? These are awesome photos, Raging! That first one is truly amazing, the best by far imo. If it was a Hollywood movie, those buildings would be exploding.

[RagingInMiami]

2. Thanks

but seriously, you should have seen the lightning that actually occurred. It was like the bolts were wrestling with each other in the sky. If only the Fourth of July fireworks show had been that spectacular.

[Immad2]

3. These are excellent pictures! Number one takes first and number four

comes in second. :wow: :applause:

[MissHoneychurch]

4. WOW

great shots

number one is my favorite

[F.Gordon]

5. Those are HORRIBLE!!!!

Without a doubt the worst Lightning Photos I've ever seen. :eyes:

Those are fantastic Ragin'. If I had to pick I'd probably narrow it down to one or four. Those are my faves.

Dude...you are good.

I don't know if anyone mentioned this to you, but under the DU Photo Groups Rules and Regulations; Section 44, "after winning three photo contests the participant can no longer enter any future contests".
:evilgrin:

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Those are great...

We hardly ever see lightning here in Anchorage, although the thunder rumbles through every now and then.

[Mutley]

7. Those are fantastic!

I've been trying to get some lighting shots for awhile now with zero success. Beautiful pics Ragin'!

[regnaD kciN]

8. I especially like...

...the combination of the vertical lightning strikes with the horizontal "lit bridge" at the bottom of the frame.

In terms of favorite shots, I guess #2 is the best overall, although I would darken the image a bit. I think I'd prefer #4, based on the more interesting lightning forks, if you straightened the horizon. And #6 is a great photo, although I don't see any lightning in it.

[RagingInMiami]

10. Thanks

Number six was actually one of the first shots I took on that outing. When the dark clouds started moving in, I decided to do a series of shots and call it "stormy weather" and show you guys a storm moving into Miami. I lucked out by getting the lightning.

[BamaGirl]

9. These are great

One is cool, but I really love three. Sometimes you get the coolest colors by accident. ;) (One of my favorite things to do is develop slide film as c41 for that reason.) Great job!

[Eurobabe]

11. I like the first one

Looks like the whole building is getting zapped, awesome power of nature!

[BeTheChange]

12. These are amazing...

you should see my horrible lightning shots..
3 & 4 get my vote...