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11th June 2012
Lightning Storm by hamptanner

Lightning Storm

169 / 365
Tonight we had a serious lightning storm. I have been wanting to capture lightning for a while now and tonight I was able to get to a place and get some shots of lightning out on the ocean. This is my first time ever capturing lightning. I learned that there are a lot of misses, but one great capture makes it all worthwhile.

Other shots: http://365project.org/hamptanner/alternatives/2012-06-11
http://365project.org/hamptanner/alternatives/2012-06-12
Comments
wicked! Fav!
posted June 12th, 2012  
Wow! Congrats on the lightning capture! FAV!
posted June 12th, 2012  
WOW! That is so cool! The top reminds me of an electrostatic ball. Awesome shot HampTanner! fav!
posted June 12th, 2012  
@auroralinda @sarabeth_photo @ebdubay Thank you all. Erinn, I know what you mean. I didn't notice the pattern of that part of the lightning when I took the photo so it really blew me away to see it when I uploaded the photos.
posted June 12th, 2012  
Wow, super cool.
posted June 12th, 2012  
Amazing lightning shot! It looks very exciting and dramatic!
posted June 12th, 2012  
Wow, this is fantastic Hamp!!! I hope I will be able to capture lighting someday too. The storms around here can be really scary. Love the tones too. Big Fav! :-)
posted June 12th, 2012  
Instant Fav!! This is fantastic! I've been dying to shoot lightning but haven't had the chance just yet. All of your lightning shots are great but I think this one's my favorite.
posted June 12th, 2012  
Awesome, great shot and timing!
posted June 12th, 2012  
Ira
WOAH!!!!! Awesome! I never mananged to get a good shot of a lightening. But I so want to! :D
posted June 12th, 2012  
Ira
Fav.
posted June 12th, 2012  
Wonderful!
i catch a lightning too http://365project.org/ellaelami/365/2012-04-28 (:
posted June 12th, 2012  
fantastic capture, looks like a firework!
posted June 12th, 2012  
Congrats on the pp!!
posted June 13th, 2012  
@vorka @myautofocuslife @zuzana @tryeveryday @rwhite @ira @ellaelami @cocobella Thank you all so much. Apparently you helped me reach the PP.
@ebdubay Thanks for letting me know Erinn. How is Hong Kong?
posted June 13th, 2012  
Congratulations!!
posted June 13th, 2012  
@tryeveryday Thank you, Michelle.
posted June 13th, 2012  
That is super awesome!!! What a great capture! Fav for sure!
posted June 13th, 2012  
Very cool, this is fantastic. I had a few attempts a few months back and was just starting to get it when the storm died down!
posted June 13th, 2012  
WOW a fav and a follow - awesome work
posted June 13th, 2012  
I too want to capture lightning but haven't been successful as yet....fingers crossed I will get on like you have here in this shot....well done!!!
posted June 13th, 2012  
Kim
awesome!!! That is wayyyyy cool!
posted June 13th, 2012  
wow great shot, especially more so as its your first attempt
posted June 13th, 2012  
what else can I say? amazing shot and a very lucky one too I know how hard it is to time it right! well done afav and follow for you!!
posted June 13th, 2012  
Amazing!! A Fav!!
posted June 13th, 2012  
WOW fav
posted June 13th, 2012  
Wow, excellent capture. I've never caught lightning. Fav!
posted June 13th, 2012  
Love it, instant FAV. Ihave been trying to catpure lightening also, but without success so far.
posted June 14th, 2012  
@cjphoto @kiwichick @megsy @turning_40 @kimgrowsup @kmrtn6 @sueh @lisapallante @scooter @mittens @dreams Thank you all so much. I truly appreciate your comments, favs and follows.

For those interested in shooting lightning, here is what I learned so far... you need one of those storms in which the clouds are high enough that the lightning is visible. You should already have a plan for where you can shoot from that will give you a wide view and where you will be safe. And last but not least, keep your finger on the trigger and shoot at the first hint of light. I missed many lightning bolts but often there is a second strike immediately after the first and those were the ones I caught.I shot about 500 frames and have about 25 with lightning bolts. I would also advise to use a tripod. I didn't because it was impromptu and I rushed down to the beach. But, my arms got tired of holding my camera at the ready waiting for the next strike. I hope to see some lightning photos in your projects soon. :-)
posted June 14th, 2012  
Amazing! I have tried to capture lightening as well and was able to get one shot but not as amazing as this.
posted June 14th, 2012  
Wow.. Fav
posted June 14th, 2012  
GGG
beautifully captured!!!

:D
posted June 14th, 2012  
same as Nikki, just WOW! Fav'd!
posted June 14th, 2012  
LOVE !!!!
posted June 14th, 2012  
+fab this is the dream shot!!
posted June 14th, 2012  
Wow congratulations, this is an amazing shot. Definitely worth the wait!
posted June 21st, 2012  
I MISSED this when it went up! WOW! T his is phenomenal! fav!
posted June 21st, 2012  
WOW this is amazing! So dramatic! Perfectly centered too! What an awesome sight to capture, I imagine lighting must be difficult to focus on.
posted June 24th, 2012  
@bonneyboop @nikkic @ggg @jackie8 @barbarakim @hasselhotch @jenniprior @espyetta Thank you all so much. I look forward to trying again when conditions are right and with a tripod next time.
@limpet365 The lightning happens so fast that you have to go with a wide angle and just point your camera toward the storm and press the shutter immediately upon the first hint of light. I missed many bolts of lightning but was lucky enough to capture a dozen or so. As far as focusing, I had to set the lens on infinity focus because there is no way to autofocus fast enough for the lightning - at least no way that I am aware of.
posted June 26th, 2012  
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