nathangray60

Lightning in Anderson, SC

I had been waiting years for this shot. Every time it stormed in Anderson, SC I drove to the top of a parking garage where there was an overhang that gave me so...
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I had been waiting years for this shot. Every time it stormed in Anderson, SC I drove to the top of a parking garage where there was an overhang that gave me some safe cover. I took a photo before this one that worked but I thought I could do better. I think I literally jumped for joy when this bolt struck the ground. Before I even looked at the back of the camera I knew I had a good shot. Years of patience paid off.
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Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 320 Shutter 5/10 Focal Length 25/1

upload_date

Jan, 2016

Views

194

Likes

+16

Awards

Action Award

Top Shot Award 22

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Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Peer Award

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this in Anderson, South Carolina where I worked as a photojournalist at the Anderson Independent Mail. I went to the top of a parking garage and stood underneath an overhang to get a good vantage point of the lightning storm.

Time

Often times there weren't many assignments in the later part of the evening shifts that I would occasionally work. It was mostly reserved for spot news and anything that would pop up on the police scanner. I heard the thunderstorm from our windowless office and decided to drive out to see if I could capture a lightning shot. It was around 9 pm so there wasn't much traffic or cars in the parking garage to avoid. I noticed that the lightning was going of behind the courthouse and thought the clock tower would make a great backdrop. Nature gave me a great shot and the lightning contoured around the tower. The night sky turned purple due to the flash of the lightning which added to the feel of the photo.

Lighting

I love lightning. I've always been amazed at its power and beauty. And to be honest it freaks me out a little. But I love the challenge of trying to capture it. Before I grabbed this image, I had a frame that I liked and I was happy with. But lightning always changes and this storm was producing a lot of it. I decided to stay and see if I could get something better. My patience paid off.

Equipment

This was shot with a Canon EOS1D Mark IV and a 24-70mm lens. I balanced the camera on a ledge of the parking garage roof I was standing on.

Inspiration

I'm always looking up at the sky. Clouds, lightning, the moon, etc are some of my favorite subjects. As a photojournalist, I didn't get to do a lot of the nature photography I also enjoy. So when I had the free time and opportunity I tried to take advantage of it. This is a frame that I had trying to get for a while but it never turned out the way I liked it.

Editing

I did some minimal processing. I cropped it into a vertical and adjusted the levels and curves. The color and shape of the lightning are all as it was shot. Many people have asked me if I've photoshopped this image to make the lightning contour the building and the answer is a resounding no.

In my camera bag

I try to keep my gear to a minimum. It depends on the shoot or assignment, it usually consists of a Canon 70D, a Canon 7D, 17-40mm f/4, a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 50mm macro.

Feedback

Find a good, high vantage point that is also safe. You'll definitely need a ledge or a tripod to compensate for the slower shutter speed you'll need to capture the lightning. I think this was shot at about 1/8 of a second. Maybe slower. Also, keep trying. Don't settle for just one lightning strike in a shoot. Keep shooting because you might just get a better one!

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nathangray60

nathangray60

Lightning in Anderson, SC

I had been waiting years for this shot. Every time it stormed in Anderson, SC I drove to the top of a parking garage where there was an overhang that gave me so... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow nathangray60

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I had been waiting years for this shot. Every time it stormed in Anderson, SC I drove to the top of a parking garage where there was an overhang that gave me so...
Read more

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