Dock Drama
Peachland BC during an evening lightening storm over Lake Okanagan
Peachland BC during an evening lightening storm over Lake Okanagan
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May, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Peachland BC, Canada, during the summer of 2011 on August 10th when in one evening there were 400+ lightning strikes in the area. I called it Dock drama as the storm was very dramatic and reported in the paper the next day.Time
This was in early evening, at 8:11 PM during the sunset. There was an electrical storm brewing in Kelowna which is down the lake from Peachland, about a 25 minute drive away. The edges of the storm were obviously reaching Peachland as well.Lighting
I was trying to get the sunset with the orange sky behind the dock and was hoping for some reflection on the Okanagan Lake in the background. I was looking for an interesting picture of the dock, sky and lake during the golden hour of the day.Equipment
I have a Sony A77 now, but this was taken with an earlier model of Sony DSLR- A330 that I owned in 2011. I used a monopod, no flash. I wasn't setting up for anything other than a nice evening photo of the dock. Settings: ISO 400 f4 1/8 shutter speedInspiration
There were people lined up by the water in Kelowna and nearby Peachland trying to catch a shot of a lightning strike. I was just heading down to get a picture of the dock and was curious as to why so many people were out with cameras. I hadn't heard about the impending storm, but they obviously knew something was coming. My niece and I were having a contest to see who could take the best dock photo that summer. So I took a couple of pictures because the sky was so orange, and then headed back inside. I wasn't trying to catch lightning and although I noticed a flash I didn't believe I had caught anything, and didn't know the storm would be so electric. It wasn't until later when I was downloading my pictures that I realized what I had captured.Editing
No, I just lightened it a bit as it was a bit darker than I wanted, but this was the real colour, and it is not a combination of photos.In my camera bag
I have a monopod and tripod, but I usually just use the monopod as it is lighter to carry, and will try to brace it on something such as a rock or tree for extra stability. I am now shooting with a Sony A77. I have a Sony DT 2.8/16-50 mm SSM lens which I use primarily. I also have a zoom lens that came with my old Sony camera which is a 75-300mm. I have a new neutral density filter which I am enjoying using as it makes colours pop on even a very sunny day, and can soften water or clouds beautifully. Other than that I just have a cleaning cloth, extra lens caps, extra SD cards, and extra batteries.Feedback
I love to shoot in the early morning or evening when the sun is rising or setting. I try to turn around and see what the light is hitting rather than focus on the sunset. I have taken some of my best photos of autumn colours or portraits of people when the light is almost gone, and it is too dark to believe you would get a shot at all but you do! I would normally have a wide open aperture and use a tripod at this time of day but this shot was just a happy accident. Now when I am trying to catch lightning I use a continuous drive and take many many photos, hundreds, to catch the one good one. I am proud of this photo, and take full credit despite it being an accident! My advice is to explore, keep trying, look around during a sunset or sunrise - not just towards the source of the light, and watch out for lakes in lightening storms... they can be dangerous!
