Larry Treadwell
January 2021 - Storm Coming
About the Image(s)
Approaching Storm
Nikon D810, 24-70mm, ISO 80, f18, 30 seconds, 6 stop ND filter
The weather in south Florida in the summer months is easy to predict. The day will be sunny, hot and humid with probable evening thunderstorms. This is especially true on the west coast where storms build in the Gulf of Mexico and arrive over the everglades as the evening drags onward. Thus, on a late summer evening I drove across the state and took up a position on an isolated beach. Prior to Florida’s losing battle with hurricanes several years ago there had been Australian Pines that dotted this particular beach. Now after the storms only stumps remained along with multitudes of sand fleas. Setting up on the beach I saw two storms building over the gulf. I have found the best method for capturing lightning to be pointing the camera, with a wide angle lens, at the expected position for a strike and then taking repeated and continuous exposures in hope that a strike occurs somewhere in your frame. Since it was not as dark as I would have preferred I used a 6 stop ND filter to allow for a 30 second exposure while using a low ISO to help control noise in the dark clouds. I had tracked the storm on the right but was only getting heat glow and no strikes. As the clouds thickened the area between the two storms began to show some strikes so I recomposed for that area by the tree stumps. Instead, the lightning cracked off to the far left of the frame, but at least I managed to get a solid strike. I finished the evening with far more flea bites than lightning strikes.
This is a nearly full frame image with only a bit cropped off the top. Personally I lie this version. However I have considered cropping from the right to make it an 8x10. The crop would be just to the left of the left stump. Any one have some opinions on this?
10 comments posted
(Group 32)
Excellent explanation of how to shoot this type of scene. Thanks.
Your suggested 8x10 crop would also look as good as this composition. I vote for both. Posted: 01/02/2021 16:44:26
The purpose of the DD groups is to improve everyone's photography. Therefore if my photos and write-ups help in any way I'm pleased. Thanks for looking.
Posted: 01/08/2021 12:28:17
Anyway, after reading the comments I've cropped some off the top because I do not like to bright white spot in the upper right corner. Meanwhile, I'll watch out for more thunderbolts. Posted: 01/08/2021 12:44:43
The ND filter really helps create the smooth water and your exposure time is spot on. One I did notice when I enlarged the image is three specs in the middle of the cloud, likely from dust on the sensor. You cannot see them in the image as is. I tend to agree with Stephen about the sky. You have beautiful light coming between the clouds illuminating the stumps, so I would leave them as well. I played with the cropping a little and removed the right stump and brought up the bottom of the image to remove the beach just to the edge of the water providing a more diagonal line. I don't think there is any further need for adjustments.
Posted: 01/08/2021 08:15:00
I appreciate the the crop effort. I could live without the second stump, but I don't like cropping that much of the beach off. It makes there remaining part look like an error-- at least in my opinion.
I thought the ND filter by flattening the sea made the violence of the sky seem more pronounced.
Posted: 01/08/2021 12:49:02
Your suggestion about cropping the top and the dark cloud works well with my thought about the bright spot in the upper right. But cropping the top we get both. :-)
I do agree with you about the sand beach and not cropping that area. Posted: 01/08/2021 12:51:44