The Twelve Apostles National Park

SO, everyone knows about the 12 apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. We against the odds caught a gold mine on camera. We went to the apostles during the day to check out the location and where we would like to shoot, it was clear skies, so the potential for a garish sunset, but we had just sunset and sunrise to get what we wanted so the clock was ticking. The Apostles were busy, with people filling the pathways, the potential for destroyed photoshoot, later we found out this was because of the Chinese new Year.
Returning at sunset, the paths were clearer and crowds much smaller, the tour groups had left for the day. Just like magic the skies had filled with clouds and a storm was brewing on the horizon.

We could see the rain falling in the distance, perfect sunset. But that was not the end. We shot the sun going down sneaking past the barriers into a remote area. It was a masterpiece of a sunset, and the people remaining to witness it were in awe. People began disappearing as did the sun,
leaving a trail of light behind it. That’s when the storm began to get closer, we were about to leave, considering there was noting left we could get from the shoot, when all of a sudden a clap of thunder filled our ears followed by the skies being re-ignited with a bright light. I took another position and waited.

The storm was getting closer, and I saw the potential for something astounding. I fiddled with my camera settings, deciding the best way to try and capture some lightning, the best way to do this I decided was with five seconds exposures. I tested this and settled lower at 1/5th. I set up a cable release and stood fingers at the ready.
Lightning struck again and I just catched the end, not having set the release to continuous shoot, as I didn’t want to miss the vital moment between frames. Not only this I didn’t want to compromise with a high ISO, which I had tested but was far too noisy. Another bolt of lightning. I had just caught a glimpse of the start, not enough for shimmering waves or a bright firey sky. Minutes ticked by, the it happened. I was ready for it. The thunder rumbled, then the lightning struck. At the same time, so
did my finger on the release button. The frame continued to expose for the shadows as the light fizzled away….processing… then the LCD lit up and I knew it was something special. Perfectly exposed lightning struck across the sky on the tiny screen. The limestone stacks glowing almost
gold, the waves an electric pink. Jackpot!
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