JacobIHollenbeck

Bahama Blast!

After a long day of playing tourist, we returned to the hotel room. My wife went immediately to sleep. I was immediately lured back outside to the balcony, by...
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After a long day of playing tourist, we returned to the hotel room. My wife went immediately to sleep. I was immediately lured back outside to the balcony, by this.
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DMC-GF3

Aperture f/4 ISO 160 Shutter 60/1 Focal Length 150/10

upload_date

Jun, 2016

Views

372

Likes

+27

Awards

Action Award

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Legendary Award

Member Selection Award

Summer Selection

Superb Composition

+16

Absolute Masterpiece

+14

Outstanding Creativity

+12

Top Choice

+10

Magnificent Capture

Peer Award

Genius

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

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Top 30 rank week 1

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Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

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Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo from a balcony at the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport, Bahamas.

Time

It was late evening, just past sunset. This little storm rolled in and lit up the night.

Lighting

Lightning is among Nature's most powerful forces. Fleeting though it may be, with strikes lasting from a thousandth to a hundredth of a second, there is evidence that positive strikes like this one even produce antimatter and gamma rays! Of course, lightning is also very dangerous, and i recommend only shooting it from shelter, or a distance.

Equipment

I used a Panasonic Lumix GF3 with the 14-42 f3.5 kit lens. It was mounted on a fairly cheap tripod, probably a sunpak.

Inspiration

It was a flash of inspiration. Lightning is one of my favorite subjects, so when close bolts started coming in, i ran into the balcony and set up.

Editing

I simply corrected highlights and color balance in Lightroom. Kept it simple.

In my camera bag

Lately, you'll find an Olympus EPL1, a Zuiko 14-150 f4, and a bundle of extra batteries. I'll likely have a Slik compact tripod handy as well.

Feedback

First things first, set your focus manually to infinity. If the lightning is out of focus, you're too close to it. Ok, bad joke, but setting the focus to infinity is important. A wide angle lens is important for close, large strikes. This was captured at 28mm equivalent, and i still didn't get the whole bolt. Stop your lens down too. It's tempting to shoot wide open in the dark, but lightning is bright! Who knew that you'd find a reason to use the sunny 16 rule at night? A tripod is a must. The more stable and adjustable, the better. Then, just set your exposure time to expose for the scene, and shoot! Lightning is easy at night, because your exposures will be 15 seconds or more. If a strike occurs, you're going to get it in the picture! Another tip, turn of your dark frame subtraction feature. It's so frustrating when to good strikes happen while the camera is busy processing. Above all, stay safe, and have fun!

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JacobIHollenbeck

JacobIHollenbeck

Bahama Blast!

After a long day of playing tourist, we returned to the hotel room. My wife went immediately to sleep. I was immediately lured back outside to the balcony, by... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow JacobIHollenbeck

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After a long day of playing tourist, we returned to the hotel room. My wife went immediately to sleep. I was immediately lured back outside to the balcony, by...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.