Inspiring Photo: WWII Strike #12151875

WWII Strike

Uploaded: August 28, 2011 11:32:10

Description

A total rework from RAW of a favorite "lucky" shot. I was shooting on the National Mall with Sue Rosin, and we knew a storm was approaching soon. We were
at the WWII Memorial (shown) around 9pm; I wanted a motion-blur fountain capture. I set up the tripod & camera for a very long exposure, and halfway
through it, this MASSIVE lightning strike hit with no warning, seemingly yards away. (I'm sure it was farther than it looked.) I yelled out loud,
partly in fear, partly knowing I'd captured it, and then had to wait out the exposure, before I could see how it turned out. This rework fixes many things
in the original, particularly noise, and color cast. A new crop and larger BP image size, and some other editing steps I didn't know about last time.
08-11 2nd Place, T&P

Exif: F Number: 16, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 30/1 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 22.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi

Comments

Joy Rector August 28, 2011 0

awesome #1404466

Martin Cregg August 28, 2011 0

Outstanding photo, Chris. #9638243

Melinda F. Schneider August 28, 2011 0

Lucky, yes, but also skilled and very outstanding in every way!! #9638250

Jeff Robinson August 28, 2011 1

Amazing - Outstanding every way!! #9638277

Linda D. Lester August 28, 2011 0

Winner!!!!!! #9638282

Anita Hogue August 28, 2011 0

WOW, this is gorgeous! #9638305

Katarina Mansson August 28, 2011 0

Spectacular and beautiful work...as powerful as the natural forces displayed! Looks like a new winner to me... #9638553

David M. Montero August 28, 2011 0

Great capture of this magnificent memorial. Electrifying Christopher. #9638983

Lindley Johnson August 29, 2011 0

Amazing, Chris!! Fabulous timing, composition, and processing. #9639463

Chris Budny August 29, 2011 0

Thank you all very much for the kind words; I'm very pleased with this reworked version! #9639923

Ann Varley August 29, 2011 0

This is truly spectacular Christopher!
I'll be in Washington DC in October, hoping to shoot in the same area. I'm sure I wont have THIS kind of luck though. WOW!
#9640666

Chris Budny August 29, 2011 0

Thanks, Ann! Look me up when you get here; perhaps we can go out shooting together---I enjoy meeting fellow BPer's! #9640829

Susan Fox August 29, 2011 0

What can I say, it's perfection! #9640865

Chris Budny August 29, 2011 0

Thanks, Susan! #9641171

Judy V. Kennamer September 25, 2011 0

Congrats on your beautiful Finalist Chris!!! Great job!! #9690503

Thomas E. Hinds September 25, 2011 0

Just perfect, Chris! Wonderful and deserving Finalist! #9690578

Kay E. Mahoney September 25, 2011 0

Congratulations on your finalist, Chris. Good luck in the next round. #9690740

Nikki McDonald September 25, 2011 0

A wonderful rework and stunning entry. It's on its way. Congratulations on the Finalist and best of luck in the next round. #9690983

Tammy Espino September 25, 2011 0

Congrats on your awesome finalist!! :) #9691006

September 25, 2011 0

Very dramatic! #9691197

Gail Vitikacs September 25, 2011 0

Way to go Chris!!!! Love this! Congrats!
#9691350

Ann Varley September 26, 2011 0

Was there ever any doubt? Congratulations Chris! #9691859

Datha Y. Thompson September 26, 2011 0

AWESOME!!! Congratulations Chris!! WTG :) #9692087

Michele Peterson September 26, 2011 0

Fantastic, Chris! Glad to see this get a finalist!! #9692223

Agnes Fegan September 26, 2011 0

Congratulations Chris! #9692430

Lindley Johnson September 26, 2011 0

I love this dramatic image, Chris! Congratulations on your fantastic finalist. #9692877

Patti Coblentz September 26, 2011 0

Amazing, Chris...congratulations! #9693187

Bojan Bencic September 26, 2011 0

Congratulations on your beautiful finalist, Christopher. #9693353

Naomi Weiser September 26, 2011 0

wow, great capture, congrats #9693784

Naomi Weiser September 26, 2011 0

congrats, what a unique capture #9693802

Linda Blair September 26, 2011 0

Totally awesome Chris...congratulations...I'm sure we'll see this one again!! #9694657

Cathy Barrows September 26, 2011 0

Congrats on your finalist...simply awesome #9695023

JO ANN CLEVELAND September 26, 2011 0

Congratulations on thise awesome finalist Chris!

jo ann c. #9695511

Chris Budny September 26, 2011 0

Thanks so much, folks (and the BP Judges!) for the kind words! This has long been a favorite image; the fresh rework I did was way overdue, given the things I see as flaws today, in the original version. I like it so much better than before! #9695587

Joannie Bertucci September 26, 2011 0

Congrats Chris on this stunning finalist...I smell gold! :-) #9696759

Donna La Mattino Pagakis September 26, 2011 0

This is so cool Chris, a beautiful finalist, congratulations! #9696849

Debra R. Harder September 26, 2011 0

WOWZA...this is absolutely SUPERB, Chris! Huge congratulations on your OUTSTANDING finalist! Deb #9696919

Chris Budny September 27, 2011 0

Thank you very much, ladies! #9697578

Ellen Hodges September 27, 2011 0

Huge congrats on a super fab finalist, Chris!!! Very best luck with this outstanding image!!! #9697914

Patti Coblentz September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations on your amazing win, Chris!! #9698350

Ujjwal Mukherjee September 27, 2011 0

HUGE congratulations on your excellent Winner,Chris!! #9698421

Katarina Mansson September 27, 2011 0

WTG Chris - congratulations on this superb winner! #9698475

Renee Doyle September 27, 2011 0

I don't blame you for yelling out .... how awesome is this!!!! BIG congrats to you Chris on this excellent capture and deserving WINNER!! #9698729

Ellen Hodges September 27, 2011 0

Huge congrats on your awesome win, Chris!!! Yeah!! #9698996

Carolyn M. Fletcher September 27, 2011 0

Wonderful shot, Chris! Big congrats! Resubmits do pay off sometimes, don't they? #9699118

Usman M. Bajwa September 27, 2011 0

Fabulous exposure and lightening was the icing on the cake, Chris. HUGE CONGRATZ on the beautiful Gold Winner, WTG!!!

UB. #9699119

Ann Varley September 27, 2011 0

Awesome GOLD !! WTG !! #9699257

Dayna Cain September 27, 2011 0

A truly amazing image Chris. Congrats! #9699335

Thomas E. Hinds September 27, 2011 0

A well deserved Winner! Congratulations, Chris! #9699372

R. J. Laudenbacher September 27, 2011 0

I knew when you showed me this in DC, Chris it had winner written all over it. Truly an amazing shot! Congratulations to you on this so deserved win! #9699417

Tammy Espino September 27, 2011 0

Congrats on your win :) #9699539

Chris Budny September 27, 2011 0

Thank you all very much! I'm thrilled this "made it" as I like it so much better than my first attempt awhile back! #9699571

Linda D. Lester September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations on your awesome win!!! #9699595

Terry Cervi September 27, 2011 0

I remember you showing this to me too when in DC and thought it was an amazing shot, Chris! Congratulations on a well deserved win!! #9699602

Judy V. Kennamer September 27, 2011 0

Congrats on your gorgeous WINNER Chris!!! Amazing capture!!!!! #9699645

Anna Diederich September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations! This is just stunning! #9699962

Monnie Ryan September 27, 2011 0

This one just HAD to be a winner, Chris - big congratulations! #9699995

Julianne Bradford September 27, 2011 0

Wow Chris..what a double thrill! Great capture and deserving win! Congratulations! #9700115

Debra R. Harder September 27, 2011 0

Absolutely BRILLIANT, Chris! Huge congratulations on your OUTSTANDING GOLD WINNER! Deb #9700173

Bojan Bencic September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations, Christopher! #9700283

Karen Celella September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations on your amazing winner, Christopher! #9700359

Susan Fox September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations on your winning photo #9700535

Mitch Spence September 27, 2011 0

Lighting strikes twice and twice makes perfect. Congratulations on the gold, Chris. #9700662

Joannie Bertucci September 27, 2011 0

I told you I smelt gold! :-) Congratulations Chris! #9700717

Leslie McLain September 27, 2011 0

No surprise. Congrats on an amazing winner, Chris. #9700736

Karen E. Baumann September 27, 2011 0

Timing is a wonderful reward to images Chris and you got this timed just right! Congratulations on your Gold! #9700744

Richard B. Hallick September 27, 2011 0

Congratulations on this awesome capture, and the gold medal! #9701017

Tamara K. Walker September 28, 2011 0

Magnificent capture, congratulations! #9701420

Michele Peterson September 28, 2011 0

I ditto what Mitch said! Congratulations on "another" win for this fabulous image. It needs to be in a magazine somewhere, it's amazing!! #9701428

Ken Smith September 28, 2011 0

It's all in the crop! :-) Congrats, Chris...definitely deserving of the gold! #9701456

Chris Budny September 28, 2011 0

Thank you all very much for the kind words! #9701517

Donna La Mattino Pagakis September 28, 2011 0

I am so pleased to see this in the winner's circle Chris. Congratulations, just incredible!!!! #9702020

Chris Budny September 28, 2011 0

Thanks, Donna! #9702334

Dominick M. Dimacale September 28, 2011 0

Congratulations Christopher on your Win!!!

Dominick #9702511

Mary Beth Aiello September 28, 2011 0

So glad you waited for this Chris. Huge congrats on this beauty. #9702903

Chris Budny September 29, 2011 0

Thanks so much, Dominick & Mary Beth! #9703928

Cesar J. La Rosa September 29, 2011 0

Congratulations on this well-deserved Winner, Chris!!! It is a BEAUTIFUL photograph!!!
Cesar #9705013

Lindley Johnson September 29, 2011 0

Definitely one of my favorite winners of the month, Chris. So dramatic and well done. Big congratulations! #9705025

Chris Budny September 29, 2011 0

Thank you both, Cesar & Lindley! #9705422

David M. Montero September 30, 2011 0

Congratulations on your second place selection of this striking image Christopher! #9707070

Chris Budny September 30, 2011 0

Dunno if you intended a pun, but I got a chuckle---thanks so much, Dave! #9707244

Mick Burkey October 02, 2011 0

Fantastic capture, Chris! Timing, eh!? Love the lighting. Congratulations on a well deserved winner!! #9711334

Merna L. Nobile October 02, 2011 0

Congratulations!
You’re the kind of person who makes the world a better, brighter place…You worked hard for this, you made it happen, and you have a right to be proud. So enjoy these satisfying moments; you deserve every one! Merna
#9711337

Phyllis H. Burchett October 03, 2011 0

BIG congratulations Chris on this awesome winner! #9712135

Chris Budny October 03, 2011 0

Thanks so much, folks...! #9712174

Rona L. Schwarz October 04, 2011 0

WOW, Chris! Very scary, but so very worth it! Really awesome capture! Sorry I'm so late, but HUGE CONGRATS on this most marvelous winner! #9714686

Chris Budny October 04, 2011 0

Thank you, Rona! #9715675

Amanda D. Austwick October 15, 2011 0

WOW Chris, what a great lightning catch to top off a great image! CONGRATULATIONS on this well deserved Gold Winner! #9737251

Chris Budny October 16, 2011 0

Thank you very much, Amanda! #9737529

Laura E. Swan May 10, 2012 0

Holy Doodle, Chris! WOW! Talk about a STRIKING image! This is so totally awesome. Isn't it true that as we learn and grow we can take an already cool photo and raise it up to a whole new level? Well, now you have seen it go gold with your new skills. I just did this yesterday. (Took an older image and reworked it). What a difference. It went Finalist last time around but maybe she will hit Gold this time! (The Lady of the Forest).

On Your More Than Deserving Gold Win, Chris!

-Laura :D

P.S. Nice to see you again. It's been a while! :D #10131641

Chris Budny May 10, 2012 0

Thanks, Laura! I do enjoy reworking some of my oldest favorites... We're always (hopefully!) continuously learning new skills, so why not revisit some older "worthy" images and see if they'd be improved---I think this was a perfect example. (Though pleasantly, the first version, which I now see as inferior) also managed 2nd Place, awhile back!) #10132401

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