Inspiring Photo: The Strike #4990541

The Strike

Uploaded: October 29, 2007 12:15:35

Description

EF17-85 @22mm, f/16, Thirty Seconds, -1/3ev, ISO100, RAW, tripod
Rework of earlier image: Curves and new Crop to remove the large foreground fountain spray.
This is an actual lightning strike captured during a 30 second exposure; it was not added via software.
Shot during a series of storms on the National Mall (WWII Memorial shown here) with Sue Rosin in late August.
10/07 2nd Place, Catchall

Comments

JANICE ZONNEVELD October 29, 2007 0

BEAUTIFUL, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE SMALL LIGHNING STRICKS SO KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO HAVE THE CAMERA IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. WELL DONE.
JANICE #773502

Dominick M. Dimacale October 29, 2007 0

AWESOME IMAGE!!!

Dominick #4998788

Lola M. October 29, 2007 0

Amazing Photo ~ Nothing beats being at the right place at the right time ~ with camera in hand. #4999081

Susan Fox October 29, 2007 0

Well the crop works :-) You made a great photo even better. I still like the original but maybe that fountain to the right was too much in the scene. I didn't think so until I compared the two.

I hope this one goes all the way! #4999179

Chris Budny October 30, 2007 0

Thanks so much, Janice, Dominick & Lola!
Susan, thanks also---and I agree... I've grown to like this version better, already! #5003858

Susan M. Hembree October 31, 2007 0

This new re-do looks great, too, Chris! I hope this keeps moving up the ladder this time. It really is a great photo! And yes, I was there everyone--it's real! #5007353

Chris Budny October 31, 2007 0

hehehe... Thanks, Sue! I like it without that 2nd fountain... And I hope it moves up, too! #5008591

Melissa Papaj November 15, 2007 0

Very Very nice shot!!! #5077527

Mitchell S. Speert November 15, 2007 0

Wow! I think we have a winner here. Very nice. #5077959

Chris Budny November 15, 2007 0

Thank you both, Melissa & Mitchell--Mitchell, I hope you're right ;) #5078417

Ronald F. Fischer November 16, 2007 0

This is a stunningly capture, and a winner in my book! #5083514

Chris Budny November 17, 2007 0

I appreciate it, Ronald! Hopefully, the third try is the charm ;) #5086119

Nikki McDonald November 18, 2007 0

You know I loved the first submission, Chris, and I would never have thought to remove the fountain--it seemed to complete the image. But I have to admit that this crop gives more importance to the critical moment of the lightning strike and I love it, too. Most of all I hope it gets further recognition. #5088041

Chris Budny November 18, 2007 0

Thank you Nikki... My mom originally suggested the alternate crop to me, as I was pondering what might be "wrong" with the photo. You (and she) are right... the original foreground fountain spray was just too dominant in the image (not to mention, suffered from some slight distortion, leaning inward, which I could only partially correct.) Fingers crossed on this one; I think it is a good improvement. #5090038

Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 19, 2007 0

Full of energy, nice lighting and design. Best of luck, this is a powerful image! #5096548

Susan M. Smith November 20, 2007 0

Chris, this is an amazing capture! The whole combination really works and I can't decide if it gives me a chilling feeling or a powerful one. Either way, it's got all the elements and more for a winner! Good luck :) #5101500

Chris Budny November 21, 2007 0

Susan & Donna, thank you so much. I've got my fingers crossed, as I really like this cropped version better, now, than my original! #5106093

Dr Silly November 26, 2007 0

Chris cogratulations on your wonderful finalist. :O)
#5127483

Colleen Farrell November 26, 2007 0

Hey Chris, so glad to see this made finalist--I expect to see it with a gold soon! Big Congratulations! #5127541

Susan M. Hembree November 26, 2007 0

Finally Chris! Hooray! Congratulations! #5127702

Kay E. Mahoney November 26, 2007 0

Congratulations on your finalist. #5127809

Nancy (Peaches) Harker November 27, 2007 0

WHOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO
BIG Congrats on your finalist and best of luck in the next round! #5128030

Tammy Scott November 27, 2007 0

Congratulations on a terrific finalist! #5128537

Susan Fox November 27, 2007 0

Congratulations Chris! I'm glad this one got the recognition it deserves. #5129256

Tamera S. Phillips November 27, 2007 0

Wonderful finalist and well deserved! Congratulations. #5129940

Lisa J. Boulden November 27, 2007 0

What a magnificent finalist, Christopher!!!
--Lisa #5130140

Cesar J. La Rosa November 27, 2007 0

WONDERFUL Finalist, Chris!!!
Congratulations!!!
Cesar #5132552

Philippe Vieux-Jeanton November 27, 2007 0

Incredible shot Christopher!! Congrats and good luck for the next! #5132786

Susie Peek-Swint November 27, 2007 0

Happy to see a button on this fantastic shot Chris ~ hope it goes gold for you!! #5133198

Chris Budny November 27, 2007 0

Thank you all so much; I'm thrilled this one made Finalist, after a few resubmits, and a little reworking, this time around! #5134399

Gail Vitikacs November 27, 2007 0

Incredible...and well deserved! Congratulations Chris! #5134604

Robert Baer November 27, 2007 0

chris
this is one eye catching image. congrats on your finalist!! #5135238

Mitchell S. Speert November 27, 2007 0

Congrats! #5135638

Mick Burkey November 27, 2007 0

Outstanding capture, Chris, and a well-deserved finalist! Good luck in the next round, my friend. #5135834

Melissa Malisia November 27, 2007 0

Congratulations on your Finalist, Christopher!! :) #5136052

Corinne M. Thompson November 27, 2007 0

Excellent capture Chris, Congrats on your Finalist! #5136965

Jennifer Rennison November 27, 2007 0

Excellent timing and lighting, Chris!! Congratulations on your finalist and best of luck in the next round!! #5136989

Nikki McDonald November 27, 2007 0

Who would have guessed that a crop that centered the image would result in its being noticed? So glad you kept the faith and kept working with this wonderful shot--I know how excited you were just after you got it and I know it has been a favorite ever since so I love seeing your valuation of the shot validated. Congratulations on your finalist and good luck in the next round. #5137411

Steven E. Ray November 27, 2007 0

The mere fact that you caught this natural millisecond event is an achievement worthy of this finalist :) Great capture Christopher! #5137511

Ken Smith November 28, 2007 0

2nd time's a charm. Exellent work, Chris! #5138781

Susan Fox November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on your win Chris!!!!!! #5139003

Tammy Scott November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on this awesome winning shot! #5139111

Nikki McDonald November 28, 2007 0

How sweet is this? Very big congratulations on this win, Chris. #5139161

Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 28, 2007 0

Way to go Chris, a beautiful winning image. Huge congratulations to you!! #5139208

Judy V. Kennamer November 28, 2007 0

Gorgeous Chris! Congratulations on your well-deserved WINNER! #5139209

Michael S. Swaffar November 28, 2007 0

Wow! Dude, you did it again! Huge Congrats! #5139222

Michelle R. Kovach November 28, 2007 0

Congrats Chis! #5139247

Sherry Karr Adkins November 28, 2007 0

CONGRATS, Chris! I knew this was a winner from the first time I saw it. #5139295

Susan M. Hembree November 28, 2007 0

Way to go, Chris! Congratulations! #5139332

Stephanie Frey November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on your beautiful win! #5139438

Cesar J. La Rosa November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on this very well-deserved Winner, Chris!!!
Cesar #5139452

Chris Budny November 28, 2007 0

Thank you all so very much! The night I shot this in August, I let out a big yell when I realized I'd captured such a great bolt, during my exposure. I just let out a similar yelp tonite, upon discovering the win! :) #5139465

Steven E. Ray November 28, 2007 0

Just a few hours later same day and now BIG congrats on your winner Chris! #5139506

Nancy (Peaches) Harker November 28, 2007 0

BIG Congrat's Chris! #5139599

Carol Teal November 28, 2007 0

I didn't get to say congrats on your finalist, but now I can say congrats on your 2nd place win!! I know how this has been a favorite of yours, so I am glad to see it recognized this time around! Goes to show you not to give up when you have a great image! #5139739

Philippe Vieux-Jeanton November 28, 2007 0

CONGRATS CHRIS!! #5140024

Katarina Mansson November 28, 2007 0

I am not surprised :-)

Congratulations on your GOLD Chris!!! #5140302

Les Rhoades November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on your GOLD Button win!It's about time BP did the right thing.
I held off on my comment because I had a feeling this was going to move into the winners circle.
Les
#5140362

Adilson F. Ferreira November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on your win, Christopher!!! #5140518

Kara L. Hendricks November 28, 2007 0

Well, it's about time!!! I know this one thrills you Chris!! As it does all of us!!!

So very well deserved!!!!! #5140983

Revonda L. Gentry November 28, 2007 0

Congrats on your fantastic winner, Christopher!! #5141154

Autum Rhoades November 28, 2007 0

YEAH! Congrats Chris on this wonderful win! #5141449

Corinne M. Thompson November 28, 2007 0

So glad this was finally recognized with Gold...congrats Chris! #5141496

Wally Orlowsky November 28, 2007 0

Congratulations on this amazing winner, Chris! #5141659

Chris Budny November 28, 2007 0

Thank you all very much! And thanks to my mom, who suggested the new crop. It really did improve the image, to not have the larger fountain spray in the foreground. I'm just thrilled this made it! #5141953

Mick Burkey November 28, 2007 0

WTG, Chris! Amazing image and a well-deserved win. So glad to see it get a gold. #5142832

Mitch Spence November 28, 2007 0

So pleased to see this here with the winner medal, Chris. Nice job. #5143241

Lisa J. Boulden November 28, 2007 0

Congrats, Chris, on this FABULOUS WINNER!!!
~Lisa #5143250

Lynn Haack November 28, 2007 0

Hi Chris....a BIG, electrifying CONGRATS on this amazing image!! WTG!! Lynn #5143828

Lynn Haack November 28, 2007 0

Oops...forgot to say....WINNER!!!! Lynn #5143831

Sharon Day November 29, 2007 0

Awesome image, Chris!!! Big congratulations on this win! #5144937

Chris Budny November 29, 2007 0

Thank you very much, folks! I just uploaded a copy to Mpix, which will be my first print of this, so I can display it at home! #5145083

Datha Y. Thompson November 29, 2007 0

Big Congratulations Chris!!! Outstanding Winner and so well deserved!! WTG :0) #5145352

Sherry Sturgis November 29, 2007 0

BIG Congratulations to you, Chris, for this magnificant image!!!! Display it proudly! Truly a stunning shot! #5145358

Chris Budny November 29, 2007 0

Thank you, Christine & Sherry, very much! #5146428

Karen Bacon November 30, 2007 0

Congratulations Chris on a truely fantastic image!!!!! #5151454

Sylvia Rossler November 30, 2007 0

Awesome image !!! Big congrats on your wonderful winner Chris :o) #5152658

Chris Budny December 01, 2007 0

Thank you very much, Sylvia & Karen! #5153909

Ronda Chatelle December 07, 2007 0

ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR Christopher! I love this! Congratulations!!!! I'm just surprised this didn't win the Grand.... #5177624

Chris Budny December 10, 2007 0

Thanks Ronda! I don't think it is colorful enough for a Grand, but I'm happy nonetheless! #5190460

Don Johnson December 21, 2007 0

I love this photo. I KNEW it would be a big winner! Congratulations. #5239851

Chris Budny December 21, 2007 0

Thanks, Don! I was thrilled to see it advance last month! #5240365

Ed Taguba March 10, 2008 0

Very beautiful photo. Colors #5618954

Chris Budny March 10, 2008 0

Thank you, Edward! #5619963

Milan Banik December 31, 2008 0

excellent catch
happy new year #6961891

Chris Budny January 07, 2009 0

Many thanks, Milan, and a belated Happy New Year to you too! #6992246

Merna L. Nobile January 17, 2011 0

CONGRATULATIONS, MERNA #9168274

Rosemary Sampson May 11, 2011 0

Fabulous shot. Your gallery is an inspiration. I will be back often to see your extraordinary work. #9399483

Chris Budny May 11, 2011 0

Thank you Merna, and Rosemary! This is an old favorite of mine; a very lucky shot! #9399519

Katarina Mansson July 06, 2011 0

Such a beautiful and phenomenal capture! #9510380

Chris Budny July 06, 2011 0

Thank you, Katarina! #9510606

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