Christmas 2011 light show part I

[bigsarg7]

Well the only time i've had in the last month with new bubs being around now was Christmas morning at 12am ish. I had just finished feeding and my husband has been sms me about lightning out the front of our house. I decided as late as it was and as tired as I was i'd grab my d700 and tripod and take a few snaps before the rain would arrive. Well I get out the front fire off a shot or two and then large droplets start to fall, so I open the roller door on the garage and set up in there. Boy o boy was I glad i did, we welcomed in Christmas 2011 with the most amazing light show i've seen locally here in a few years. I've got a few images i'd like to share, probably not technically correct but i'm learning, lightning is one of my all time favourite things to photograph and well I had a blast!

I would love advice on how to improve if u have any, or any other comments u may have! I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do. Please check out my other post too, as there were 8 images and I didn't wanna break forum rules!!

First shot as storm approaches:


Moved in quite quick this one is one of my favourites.

[norwest]

I like them all. Well exposed and good catches.

[Remorhaz]

Cool - love the purple. I think I might be tempted to darken the foreground - it's not that interesting and I think it distracts fromt he overall image.

[bigsarg7]

sorry it took so long to get back on and respond but i've been flat out, discovered bubs is gluten intollerent and its been affecting him,so i've been busy calming him most of the time. im now off it myself, which has stopped his pains so fingers crossed he stays settled so i can get on here more often!

thanks so much for the comments guys, i found the foreground added a little more depth. and showed the scale of the storm etc. but thank u so much for looking and such nice comments!

[zafra52]

Good catch. the third is very impressive.
Did you use a special trigger?

[bigsarg7]

I used my trigger release in the past but found this time around setting my shutter at around 5 or 10 seconds varying on the amount of lightning that was around worked better and the shots had better exposure, as when I used my trigger release the thrill and excitement so to speak would over whelm me and i would tend to release too soon under exposing the images, but the reverse ND filter sounds like fun and I intent to try it out in the next big storm I hope!

[surenj]

often the limiting factor in lightning images is the foreground as pointed out here. Next time, I reckon be ready with a rain cover, wireless shutter and umbrella so you can line up a nicer foreground and hope for a good background.

[bigsarg7]

Usually I head out of town to open land with a good foreground interest point but this time I was inside feeding bubs after finishing wrapping the prezzies for the older kids. And as soon as I could I went out to get a few shots off. And not far from me is an open paddock and I'd have gone there but after a caeserian I wasn't allowed to drive and thus couldn't get there etc. but totally agree about the location. Can't say I'd be standing with an umbrella maybe I the car with a wireless trigger and hood over my gear obviously, but at this stage I happy to get
The shots before rain!! Can't have my hair get messy now can I!!!