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Behind The Lens
Location
St George UtahTime
Evening around 9pmLighting
Lightning is probably my most favorite subject to shoot. Sometimes difficult, always exciting! I love the Chase! The exhilaration of the Chase, to catch a monster storm across the desert and try not to get caught in it's path is always a challenge. I am fortunate to live in an area where I can watch a storm like this from a distance, stay dry, most of the time and most of the time I don't have lighting strike too close.. There was this one time though but that's another story.. What I love about this shot is the sheer Height of these bolts as they dwarf the City below, showing us Just how Small we are compared to the wonders of Creation.Equipment
old warn out Canon 7d with a billion clicks on it. Duct-taped Manfroto tripod and ball head, Cheap Chinese remote release (manual) Some times I use a window mount for a Spotting scope as a tripod so I can stay in the vehicle and avoid being Struck! Gallon Zip lock baggie with a hole cut out of the corner for the lens and my crappy 28-135 kit lens... I'm not a wealthy man but it works for me! Here's the spec's Camera: Canon EOS 7D Aperture: 13/1 ISO: 125 Shutter Speed: 8/1 Focal Length: 28/1Inspiration
Lightning..... It's pretty inspiring!Editing
Basic's Brightness contrast, Some De-noise and white balance corrections, adjust horizon make it level, I was shooting off a hill from the truck window. and crop..In my camera bag
Camera, Lens'es filters, cleaning kit, extra memory cards. The basics.Feedback
First, don't waste any money on some automatic trigger, learn how to take the shot for yourself and remember, even though it's dark outside Lightning is VERY Bright! Sunny 16 is a good place to start. Stay safe, use your brain and don't stand in a field with a tripod (lightning rod) in the middle of a storm.. I monitor the Lightning maps and storm trackers a lot during monsoon season, watch winds and direction and try to position myself in a place that I can watch a storm pass by but not over me. The best lighting is on the front of the storm or the tail (front leading edge is usually most active), the stuff in the middle is pretty to watch but not as clean because of the clouds and rain and you typically end up with a giant white and purple blob. Most of all enjoy yourself, I take people with me and show them how much fun it can be. Myself and several other photographers in my area team up and chase together when we can and always a blast! ;)