Lightning over Indianola
Jun, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was captured in Indianola, a small town south of Des Moines, Iowa. I saw this coup on the property of a bed and breakfast while scouting one day. I approached the B&B owner and asked if I could stop by one day to use it as a foreground. When I heard there was a storm approaching, I called the owner again and headed here.Time
This photo was taken around dusk, but you'd never know there was a sun somewhere!Lighting
I used a long exposure to capture the lighting but, since the lightning was so close and intense, I had to shorten the exposure or my image would be over exposed. I used my flashlight to light the chicken coup during the exposures.Equipment
I used my Canon 5DII and Tamron 24-70 lens on a Manfrotto Magfiber tripod. I also used a remote shutter.Inspiration
The approaching storm! I live in Hawaii and hadn't seen lightning in a long time (3 years!) So when they asked me to speak at the University of Iowa I secretly hoped that I could chase a storm or two while I was there.Editing
I do all my post processing in Camera Raw and Photoshop. I blended the lightning shots with the best foreground coup. Since I was lighting the structure free-hand some of the best lightning photos had inconsistent lighting on the house. It was super simple work since the camera was mounted and didn't move during the storm.In my camera bag
I have been traveling light since leaving Hawaii. Seven months, five countries, and 14 times through Customs inspired me to do it all with one camera and one lens. I have a Canon 5DII and 24-70mm Tamron Lens. And that is all. I also have a hefty magfiber tripod made by Manfrotto. I carry three batteries, a remote shutter, a cleaning kit, and CPL. Oh, and there is almost always food in there.Feedback
Planning is everything! I knew the location, had permission to be there, and knew the frame before I even pulled my camera out!
