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Canon Image Challenge | all galleries >> History (Best Of) >> Best of C*I*C >> Best of 2010 > 1st Place "The Rookie" by Paul Alters
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12-AUG-2010 Paul Alters

1st Place "The Rookie" by Paul Alters

DISCLAIMER: This is a live shot of an energized 120 volt circuit involving a controlled short circuit. This is highly dangerous so please don't try this yourself unless you are trained and experienced at working with live conductors and high current levels. It can and does kill, injure or disable if you don't know exactly what you are doing.

Please understand that I will not explain the mechanical or electrical details of how this was done since I don't want just anybody attempting it due to the visible and hidden dangers involved.

Canon EOS 50D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
26s f/16.0 at 81.0mm iso100 Canon 580EXII and remote triggers. full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
comment
Sam Rua17-Aug-2010 05:04
Fantastic capture, Paul. Scary as hell and well executed.
Canon Image Challenge15-Aug-2010 16:42
In my case I'm a better electrician than I am a photographer. I am well accustom to working with much larger energized conductors and buss bars than what you see here. Much higher voltage also since I regularly work with 480 volts 3 phase wiring.

I just didn't want to say too much about how it was done electrically since it may tempt the wrong person to try it and they could pay a horrible price. Even if you were to try it using a 12 car battery that still has dangers that anyone who has accidently dropped a wrench across the terminals can attest to. Paul A.
Michael Kilpatrick15-Aug-2010 12:59
Stunning idea and execution Paul. Regards, Michael
jnconradie14-Aug-2010 04:58
Wow just about sums it up! :-)

Paul, I am astounded by this, not only because it is an awesome visual, but also because it feels so very much like the type of thing one should NOT be doing or NOT be seeing! (And which your captions confirms is indeed the case.)

I shudder when I think of all that could have gone wrong - and I am delighted it did not. My intention with the challenge was not even vaguely to encourage such high-risk activities.

Thanks for an amazing and unique contribution!! Regards Nico

PS. I commented under "Open with Care" about the use of fireworks.
Bruce T Jones14-Aug-2010 02:15
wow!!!!
Canon Image Challenge13-Aug-2010 22:09
This is visually so exciting! Yet what is it, and was this done? Traveller
Canon Image Challenge13-Aug-2010 15:10
Yowzers! That's.. that's.. ELECTRIFYING!!!! So Paul, please tell us, in more detail, *exactly* what we should not try :) - Great photo and energy! - Kelly
Guest 13-Aug-2010 06:23
Hope you had your thick rubber boots on Paul??....

Paul.....

PAUL... ??? .......................................somebody call an ambulance quick!!!.... no wait....? .... I think I can hear him breathing???

Yep... he is OK.... just a wee bit fried... nothing to worry about!... whew!

Don't try that down here cos 240Volts will definitely blow you away! (I have a couple of screw drivers and side-cutters with chunks burned out of them... lol)

Could this be a competition between yourself and Kelly for the greatest amount of 'energy' utilised to post in this challenge??? :-)

Excellent capture and full marks for ingenuity. ~ Regards Bob