Butch Mazzuca, BPSA
October 2026 - Juxtaposition
Original
About the Image(s)
Canon R5 ??“ Canon 15??“35mm @ 35mm ??“ ISO 100 ??“ f/4 ??“ 1/15 sec Tv ??“ lightning trigger
I shot this from my driveway after one of our summer monsoons passed over our home. I’ve attached a copy of the original file. I flipped it in post (attached) and would appreciate your comments. Composition can be challenging when shooting lightning because one never knows exactly where the lightning is going to strike ??“ so here I tried to make lemonade from a lemon :-)
4 comments posted
For a "stay at home where it is safe" photographer you struck some serious magic with this shot. This monochrome versions of lightning and the clouds above is really interesting. I do like thos clouds. Lightning always produces strong impact so this image has a greart deal going for it. I like the cropped and flipped version but as long as you are playing around with this why not just mae it square and completely get rid of the power pole? I also thing there are some interesting colors in the sky so maybe use some of your editing skills and work with some of those colors? Posted: 10/01/2026 18:48:25
Thanks Larry - btw, I'm stay at home no more :-) Posted: 10/01/2026 18:57:25
Butch, This is a very appropriately titled image! The lightening is amazing and I like that you decided to convert this to monochrome because it simplifies the image and emphasizes the lines, shapes and luminosity of the wicked lightening strike and the clouds. The power pole I think takes up too much visual weight and detracts from the spectacular lightening shot you captured. I would eliminate the pole altogether and be thrilled with the shot! I would be interested in knowing why you have question marks on all the camera info…isn't it all in the metadata? Posted: 10/06/2026 03:33:08
Thanks for your comments Ann - when I type my reviews I do so in Word and then copy/paste and dashes in Word become quotation marks when copied in our response box. I use dashes when I write, it's a style I picked up somewhere but an excellent question. You and Larry both feel the lightning IS the shot - I won't argue but I think lightning and Milky Way photographs need an interesting terrestrial anchor, and that's where the storm was :-) and thanks to you and Larry, I've re-cropped to a square. Posted: 10/06/2026 04:03:18