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Sydney Electrical Storms - Lightning Images

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:53 pm
by Cre8tivepixels
Hey,

Some from last night i missed the guts of it, bloody dinner with the wife (lol)
Image
Image

Image

Image

Cheers
Dan

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:57 pm
by bigsue19
Love #2!

Trying to learn how to do these type of shots...EXIF data? :?

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:03 pm
by sirhc55
The last shot is fascinating Dan - can’t stop looking at it :)

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:24 pm
by MCWB
#2 more me Dan, the reflection rocks! :)

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:50 pm
by Biggzie
All shots are fantastic, esp. #2
Was the light showing up the path around the pool of water coming from a nearby light source or flash?

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:52 pm
by gstark
Dan ...

Great stuff.

And call me picky if you like (well, I am, dammit!), and I know just how hard it is to get these sorts of images, but I'd like to see a little less exposure in them. I think that the shutter's been left open for too long, or your aperture was too wide.

As I said, I'm being very picky ....

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:55 pm
by robert
The foreground/pool in #2 makes it stand out for me, as well as that awesome reflection- ensures no-one wonders if its a composite photo.

I also agree a little with Gary- maybe darken the sky a bit so the "bolt" stands out from the "sheet" lightning.

Also curious as to the exposure details.

Robert

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:05 pm
by Ant
Another vote here for #2, that reflection really makes the shot for me.

Ant.

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:36 pm
by Cre8tivepixels
Thanks guys, and Gary no worries mate, not being picky at all, thanks for the C & C ;)

Dan

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:25 pm
by Glen
Great stuff Dan, really like 2, the pool creates a lot of interest

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:53 pm
by SteveB
Image #2 is wonderful, I like the use of light on the pool to give the image some depth, well done.

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:07 pm
by dodge
WOW nice images dan...no2 is a cracker :wink:

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:17 pm
by Paul
No.2 for me, love the strike reflection in the still water. 8)

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:04 pm
by stubbsy
Dan #2 and #4 are awesome. Something I don't usually say about your work :wink: I am suitably jealous. Youve not just taken shots of lightning (a challenge in itself), but framed the shots so there is more to keep the viewer interested than a little trickle of electricity. Thanks for sharing these.

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:13 pm
by rflower
Dan #2 is great.

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:33 pm
by Alpha_7
Great shots Dan, you've shown some great lightning shots before but they are taking it to another level. As Peter said it's not just lightning but a whole scene, which makes the images more powerful.

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:04 pm
by chrisk
#2 is unbelievable.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:41 pm
by jethro
Dan have been watching on the WZone forums this last batch of storms. Have to catch up one stormy night and snap or chase. These are friggin good shots even if the missus screwed your time. PM the next big one along the beaches and Ill try to come along
Cheers
Jethro

PostPosted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:42 pm
by colin_12
I'll hop on the wagon for #1. It is a great shot.
Regards Colin

PostPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:10 am
by Geoff
Excellent stuff Dan - #2 is the winner for me! Great work!! I'd also love to know your techniques for capturing these ones!

PostPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:29 pm
by Cre8tivepixels
Hey Guys......wow thanks for all the comments :D

I have a few rules for lightning photography and they are as follows....

1) Tripod a must
2) Bulb exposure - as soon as the flash of lightning goes of, close the shutter....don't let your exposures go over the 10-15sec mark...
3) Take some black cardboard and hold it close to the lens for longer exposures to get multiple strikes in the one frame (the cardboard prevents blown/over exposed bolts between strikes)
4) The closer the lighting the larger the aperture (ie: storm overhead use f5.6 - f8 / storm far away use f2.8 to 5.6
5) Cable release and Mirror Lock Up if possible to prevent shutter vibration.
6) Manual/Infinity focus....find the furthest light (streetlight etc) and expose then flick over to Manual focus

Thats its not that hard at all :)

Dan