Eiffel Illumination

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Eiffel Illumination
Photo Information
Copyright: David Plummer (DiaAzul) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 128 W: 75 N: 229] (1324)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06-23
Categories: Architecture, Decisive Moment
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II, Canon EF 17-40mm/f4
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/1.25 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): The Eiffeltower, Lightning / Atmospheric Phenomena, the lightning and storm, !Favorites I, Great athmosphere, hooooooo, Amazing pictures [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-06-23 14:32
Viewed: 5583
Favorites: 46 [view]
Points: 154
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Global warming is having its annual fun in Paris at the moment - several days of very hot and uncomfortable weather, followed by a devastating storm. I managed to pitch the camera under the Peace Pagoda minutes before the rain started; however, I was unprepared for the near half hour of strong wind, dust storms, hail and heavy rain which was to fall across Paris today. The Camera was soaked! Fortunately, I managed to retrieve this picture, but it has suffered a little from rain on the lens :-(

Things are a little cooler now and warm weather is on its way again for the weekend - just in time to go visit the beach :-)

Roly, KevRyan, leonorkuhn, Wyndy, bibiweb, Sasa, thebig_d81, stat, cpolus, ksoloduc, jambomita, rtome, djnik2004, SelimAzad, f_ckoff, HIRAKZ, rodalvas, Prisley, nels, zeca, jafadabret, grifos, Xalkida, benkrut, touristdidi, Wandering_Dan, edytungkal, Jonas_Schmitt, tzourob has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To greg: Not oftenDiaAzul 2 11-17 09:33
To Roly: TechniqueDiaAzul 2 06-24 00:55
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Roly Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 526 W: 9 N: 341] (1629)
  • [2005-06-23 14:36]
  • [+]

Very good capture, what technique did you use to capture the discharge? I like the point of view and the symmetric composition. Yes, the weather was really bad, there is no doubt about that!

In my point of view this is one of the great photos in this site.
I know you were lucky, but you were lucking for the luck.
Great Shot and tremendous timing.

This is a absolutely fantastic shot ! totally surreal. bravo.

This has to be one of the most extraordinary ordinary moments I've seen presented of the Eifel Tower - what amazing weather you describe - well done for sticking it out and getting this shot - what a stroke of good fortune - I'd even go as far as to say an historic image - although for all I know there may be hundreds of images of this quintessential French icon being hit by lightning.

Amazing!

Kev

  • Great 
  • danyy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6899 W: 366 N: 9101] (46805)
  • [2005-06-23 15:03]

Bonjour David,
la tour Eifel comme je ne l'avais jamais vue.
Impressionnant, une photo qui mérite une ovation.
Compliments.
Daniel.

  • Great 
  • Jeppe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4586 W: 390 N: 4169] (18468)
  • [2005-06-23 15:11]

Wow - I'm still looking forward to take and post my first lightning shot - Amazing you could get this shot in a city like Paris - there must be a lot of ligth - I can see by your comment to Roly that that the exposure time 30 sek not 1/1.25

Congratutulation and thanks for sharing David - surely one for a theme or two.

olağanüstü bir foto.
sıradışı bir an
bravo

Wow! I like this photo ;-) This ist amazing :-)

Bravo!

Dorota

Wow, incredible shot and great timing of a place to be. I'm doubley jealous having a lightning shot, I want one, and then having lightning hit the eiffel tower, that's incredible. Great shot and thanks for sharing it with us. Shame about rain on the lenses, wonder how much better it would look, hope it didn't ruin your camera.

  • Great 
  • apache Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 9 N: 358] (1400)
  • [2005-06-23 15:42]

Hi David,
A once in a life time picture...! I guess when u get something real good, you loose something. I guess the lens was a trade off for this picture (hope the lens is ok). The eiffel tower, an often shot famous landmark, itself is dwarfed in significance to the lightning in this picture.
Very well shot.
Thanks also for the technique explanation you gave. Will try it out some day. I will have an umbrella handy...:)
Ranjith

my gratulations... unbelievable!!!

Hi David,

Very nice catch. Congratulation, speed and aperture are well choosen.
Congartulation
Olivier

Hi David,

It's a decisive moment! Good shot. I like this colors.
Well done.
Leonor

Salut David
Tu prend des risques pour tes photos, mais le resultat est vraiment a la hauteur.
SUPERBE
Toni

  • Great 
  • hdl Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1760 W: 13 N: 1475] (6020)
  • [2005-06-23 17:52]

Magical shot, David! Looks like the Martians attack. Very well done, I like this a lot.

Bien saisi. J'espère que tu as couru vite après ça, parce qu'il faisait quasiment nuit à 17h à cause de la puissance de l'orage...

Les couleurs sont très belles, ça illustre bien à quel point c'était l'apocalypse après ces jours de grand beau temps et chaleur.

400 shots to capture this moment. well worth it. congratulations, great shot.

  • Great 
  • Wyndy Silver Star Critiquer [C: 12 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-06-23 18:20]

Spectacular once in a lifetime picture, David! Well done! Treasure the moment and this picture forever!
Wyndy in Canada

  • Great 
  • Elric Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 113 W: 15 N: 118] (558)
  • [2005-06-23 19:10]

Bresson would be proud. Well done!

Very well timed. Breathtaking and rare picture. The eerie atmosphere and the bright light hitting the towers, I don't have words to express. Thanks for sharing

Absolutely amazing catch!
Well done!

Bonjour David,
Au bon moment au bon endrtoit, encore fallait-il réussir son coup, ce qui est fait de façon magistrale ici.

Hi David,
This morning the radio mentionned the severe storm in Paris last evening and now I can actually see a picture! This photo is absolutely fantastic! I always wondered how you actually go about getting an image like this. Is it just a matter of luck or do you shoot dozens of photos and just hope that one will be exactly "at the right moment"?
Thanks for sharing,
Brigitte

  • Great 
  • jasmis Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2755 W: 579 N: 2821] (33835)
  • [2005-06-24 12:58]

Wow,great moment and very impressive effect.

Quelle cance d'avoir pu capturer une scène pareille ! C'est impressionant et magnifique. BBravo

Fantastic...

J'ai du mal a croire en cette image et pourtant !! quelle chance ou quelle classe !! bravo du grand travail pour cette grande image .

Some timing you have!! This beats the usual glittering New Year illumination on the Eiffel Tower hands down!

Hello David,

Very strange picture. But OK
That you go out with a that weather you describe in your note
It looks if it’s enhanced. I believe it’s not.
Well done (and thanks for going into the rain, because we didn’t saw it.)

TFS

Greetings
Re[]v[]co

What a strange, wonderful, bizarre photo! I absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad I wasn't eating dinner at the Jules Verne when that bolt of lightning hit.

Alli

  • Great 
  • pady Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1013 W: 60 N: 445] (4796)
  • [2005-09-24 15:17]

Incredible,
You were here at the right time. You are not affraid to take some risk, but what a result. I like it.

For real. You see that many eiefel shots but seeing something like this is something else. Apsolutely amazing. Almost looks like the base of it is smokey? Would have to be one of the best shots of the tower on TE.
Darren

Wow. The rain effect on the lens doesn't really matter - the photo has such an impact, it's great! So don't be :( about it - I (and I guess many others) opened their eyes in shock at the timing of this one - well done!

David
This looks like something out of War of the Worlds! Very dramatic with the dark lighting and the swirlling clouds. A bit dangerous to photographs though!!

Photo très impressionnante, bien sûr avec l'éclair sur la tour Effeil mais aussi le côté dramatique de la rue, des arbres taillés sur le côté et de la petite tâche de couleur rouge de l'automobile. Et la pluie, et la brume...J'aime aussi énormément l'arrière-plan marbré de mauve et de vert. Quelle photo ! Bravo !!

  • Great 
  • greg Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 651 W: 311 N: 95] (2815)
  • [2005-11-15 7:12]
  • [+]

Hi David! I've never seen that done before - a shot of lightning striking where you expected it. But I suppose the Eiffel tower is hit quite often? I wonder if I wouldn't prefer a wider framing here.

  • Great 
  • Luan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 243 N: 1883] (15805)
  • [2005-12-06 4:27]

Hello David,
a wonderful catch, such a perfect timing you have to capture this scene. It is perfectly composed and it looks like a painting.
Well done
Luan

Hi David,
Just discovered this photo,
what a magnificent moment,
plus the foggy wetr environment are very well captured,
excellent photo
regards
Daniel

  • Great 
  • jpages Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 393 W: 52 N: 460] (1668)
  • [2005-12-08 18:44]

Hi David,
I have done a critique to this photo this afternoon but I don't know what has happened with it, so I repeat it.
I think you did a great work, knowing the weather conditions, and you were very lucky of capturing the ray, this makes the photo unique. It is really amazing and impressive to see. Congratulations.
Best regards.
Jaume

Hi Devid,
Love this one..
Real nice composition...
Beautiful colour as well..
PEACE !!

I have just discovered your gallery, David, after noticing your 'meteor' composition, but I wanted to add my last smiley for the day to this superb photograph. I am impressed that you persevered for 400 exposures to capture this decisive moment - and suffering water damage to your lens as well. Your PP was very well done and has resulted in a remarkable photograph. One of the best lightning shots that I have been on TE. Cheers . . . David

SIMPLESMENTE.... LINDO!!!

UM GRANDE FOTOGRAFO FAZ SE DESTES MOMENTOS

wow..
this is exceptional..
extraordinary capture...!!!
love it

Incredible. Thanks for shering

  • Great 
  • rtome Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 89 N: 64] (638)
  • [2006-02-17 3:56]

Superb shot David!
Your patience led you to an excellent result.
Well done!

Fantastic!
And you had enough time for using a tripod!!!
That's the first time I see the Eiffel Tower under this aspect!
Great!

Bernard

Outstanding! The Eiffel Tower is always a wonderful subject for photography, but this is lightning!

WOW!!! Great work David!
Best regards, Bernhard

Hello David
I really like this wonderful ship you captured here.
Regards, Fernando

  • Great 
  • elBud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 148 W: 47 N: 161] (2179)
  • [2006-04-14 16:36]

i haven´t seen something like this before, i do love this picture, you´re a lucky man, for real, that´s a great picture.

Facinated by the capture .. wonderfull .. should write up something more in details abt the capture ..

  • Great 
  • partha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1482 W: 84 N: 1282] (12316)
  • [2006-04-23 7:51]

So well timed shot. It surely demands lot of patience and so presence of mind.
Well done

Wow, talk about the right place at the right time. not much to add
Thanks
Harry

Quel coup de pot !!! Impressionnant :)

This picture is incredible, and very risk! I really admire your dedication to take the picture, and TFS it!

Hi David.. This is an exciting and decisive moment. I still am to learn how to capture a lightening ... it comes and goes off so fast :-(((((

Thanks for sharing.
Hirak.

Almost unreal! Perfectly executed. Congrats.

  •      
  • Betty Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 25 W: 0 N: 32] (131)
  • [2006-07-19 21:08]

wow! I'm jealous :) I haven't yet ventured into night photography and it'll be years before I try lightning, but this photo gives me something to look forward to,
TFS, Betty

Incredible view! I bet you were brave to be outside at that moment! Really worth it! TFS!!!
Cheers,
Pris.

  • Great 
  • nels Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 697 W: 21 N: 350] (2134)
  • [2006-08-14 14:40]

hi david,, shot of a lifetime!! brilliant

adrian

Wow! I almost can see the moment you caught on picture!

wow David, amazing shot, also a great POV, nice composition, but the lightning takes all the applause.
Congratulations and tfs,
marcelo

  • Great 
  • dl34 (68)
  • [2006-08-30 12:48]

in my aponion, the best photo i have seen on TE. superb well done

Hi David,

I believe that this image is surprising, you have caught a little while decisive and spectacular, the light and the fog create an interesting atmosphere, good work!

Regards

José

Hello David,
I think this image deserves every point,
great event capture.
Catching lighting is in my to do list.
regards,
alberto.

  • Great 
  • zeca Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2536 W: 162 N: 3402] (14670)
  • [2006-10-25 13:10]

Incredible timing, David! Good framing. Unique picture.
Regards,
Zeca

  • Great 
  • verde Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 279 W: 87 N: 147] (957)
  • [2006-10-25 13:21]

breath taking. not just because of the lightening but also because of the smokey feel and lovely colors around the tower.

really amazing
b

David, bonsoir !
C'est peut-être le monument le plus photographié au monde mais là, ce cliché est tout simplement magique.
C'est déjà pas évident de photographier des éclairs mais un éclair aussi beau qui arrive pile sur la Tour, chapeau bas !
Jacques

This is marvelous! Great capture in the right moment! Good choice of composition, it`s simple but powerful!
best regards!
patriik

  • Great 
  • skip21 (39)
  • [2007-01-19 16:36]

Great picture, i love the symetry and the atmosphere created by the weather. How did you manage to take the shot at the right time? was it luck or tech ?

Skip

Amazing foto,great timing pov composition colors.All perfect.
good work
TFS

Unbelivable!
Strange, I haven't seen this one yet.
Joins other perfect photos in my favourites.
Take care
Henryk

awesome!!!!

  • Great 
  • teta5 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 114 W: 0 N: 32] (1141)
  • [2007-07-26 6:51]

hello David
you captured great moment. you were at this place in perfect moment!
congratulations!
TFS
Aneta

je n ai jamais vue la tour eiffel celui ci....c est incroyable!!!impressionant!!!

Giulietta

wow! it looks as if taken from a science fiction movie about aliens invading Earth! everything in this picture looks scary and in a way majectic. great moment you caught!
regards,
Piotr

Incrediable, it sucks the lightning in. Scaary to be near there for sure! Great photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An incredibly lucky shot - except that luck had fairly little to do with it. I read in the discussions (would be nice to edit the note to put it there) how you set this up and took 400 shots to get a lightning strike. Very well done!

And I actually like the atmospheric distortions - they give the impression the tower is smoking from the lightning.

  • Great 
  • Bandit Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 13 N: 200] (1272)
  • [2007-11-29 11:16]

Superbe !!! Il n'y pas d'autres mots !!! Quel instant magique !!
Bravo !!

  •      
  • sadeik Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 597 W: 196 N: 668] (3133)
  • [2007-12-29 8:38]

Pretty damn impressive, stunning lighting AND you made such a great composition too. Preety damn impressive

Simon

Image impressionnante, apocalyptique avec ce champ de Mars désert !!

Brvavo.

Hello david,
Wow, incredible shot and great timing of a place to be. Congratutulation and thanks for sharing. It is perfectly composed and it looks like a painting. Well done.
Regards,
Charles
Malta

Wow.. what a shot... you've captured it at the right moment. Eiffel is one of my favorite subject to shoot but in this shot it's the lightning that makes it perfect :)

Eda

One of amazing pictures in TE, dramatic and great moment to capture the famous Eiffel with nature storm. Thanks David..

daniel

Hi David,
congratulations on the perfect moment. This photo is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Greetings
Michal

wow, you took this picture in the exactly right moment!
fantastic scene you captured here.
jonas

Great work David
zourob

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