African Thunderstorm Photo

Photographer’s Note

I call this my "experiment in the bush..." :-)

Looking across the Moreshwe Pan in the Khutse Game Reserve we could see a couple of huge thunderstorms developing in the distance. So I decided to try my hand at long exposures, and this is the result...

This was taken at 20:00 at night, so it was quite dark already. I put the Nikon on a tripod, set the exposure to 30 seconds, and hoped for the best.

What you are looking at is rain, being lit from the inside by lightning. The top part of the sky is still slightly lit due to the setting sun in the opposite direction. Hope you enjoy it.

(I would have like to a little more detail in the foreground, but like I said it was really dark already)

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Critiques | Translate

avigur_11 (21247) 2004-01-30 3:52

I don't think any more details is needed in the bottom, Henry, it's perfect. The sun rays have such amazing tones. The blue tons above completes this dramatic sunset shot.
I think that sunsets causes a serious addiction. It happens to me too..
Well done.

[2]

olli (2091) 2004-01-30 4:21

I find this kinds of sky shots very interesting – much more interesting than "ordinary" sunsets... Great, dramatic sky, threatening atmosphere, beautiful tones. The silhouettes make the view look African.
I would crop from the top and bottom to make the image more panoramic.

jrj (34527) 2004-01-30 4:27

An unusual light setting with the red in the midst of this night shot. I think you succeded well in the capture of the distant thunderstorm.

PechePassion (483) 2004-01-30 4:53

Geant ta scène !
De jolie detail que j'aimerais voir en panorama .
Le couleurs de la pluie melanger à celles de l'orange est du meilleur effet !
Pour les details c'est très bon comme ca pas de problème à mes yeux !

Surfer31 (3477) 2004-01-30 7:10

Spectacular scene, Henry. Congratulations on such a beautiful image.

nwoehnl (61227) 2004-01-30 7:27

A quite spectacular and dramatic capture, Henry. I don't think the foreground is too dark; the silhouettes that are visible are making an intriguing enough subject to look at against the "corridor" with the thunderstorm, and the cloudy sky above. A wonderful setting of colors and light; a great shot!

jhm (76890) 2004-01-30 8:11

Perfectly separate picture, very well chosen moment for taking the shot. Congratulations on such a beautiful image.

manny (21378) 2004-01-30 12:24

Silhouettes are incredible. But most of al, the colors are simply stunning. Beautiful picture.

dsidwell (9739) 2004-01-30 13:08

Nicely dark and brooding! I love the mood and the low key tones! Lots of drama here! Your details found in the tree and clouds are enough for me. The bottom of the photo provides a nice base for the rest.

PLD_images (7137) 2004-01-30 15:12

Impressive photo Henry. Great experiment that has given you real good results. I really like the colors and the contrast of this photo. The sky is menacing and dramtic at the same time. I would have been tempted to crop some more of the bottom, but I am just picky here... Nicely done.

rnutball (649) 2004-01-30 17:10

Nice Job whith this photo, I love how the Lightning is hidden from view with the rain.
Nice to see some lightning shots on T.E. not very many. How long did you have the shutter open???
I also looks "beacuse of how low the light was" that you just timed it right??? Have you tryed croping the sides just a small amount??? Might change the feeling of the shot though.

PeterDF (284) 2004-02-01 20:17