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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 147: Motion (hosted by Denise) >> Challenge 147: Eligible > edit image
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02-JUL-2007 Justin Miller

9th Place
Fast as Lightnin' *

by Justin Miller

My backyard, Boca Raton, FL

Monday, July 2 - heavy thunderstorm, tornado warning, massive electrical activity. It was still too early to do multi-second time exposures, so I decided with lightning striking every 2-3 seconds, I might be able to catch one at normal shutter speeds. 12 frames in, I got this one. I jumped halfway out of my skin a second later, when the sound hit!

Sony DSC-H5
1/5s f/3.2 at 9.1mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Justin Miller10-Jul-2007 14:07
Thanks, both Kathys!
Katherine Stanback's Photos08-Jul-2007 01:36
Great capture of this lightning bolt!
Kathy Palmer 07-Jul-2007 12:49
Your timing paid off well!! Nice and sharp! I can almost hear the thunder clap myself.
Justin Miller05-Jul-2007 13:14
It wasn't quite that simple though - I did have a fair number of failures. This was the 12th frame and first to catch a bolt. In a total of 45 frames, I only got two others - both behind the trees and partially blocked. Mother nature helped the odds by throwing down a bolt every 2 seconds or so! Thanks for the comments. :)
Sony Forums Challenges04-Jul-2007 14:11
Interesting that 1/5 sec was all it took.. You got a lot for that 0.2! Nice work! John
Rudy 04-Jul-2007 04:26
Great Shot Justin, perfect for your upcoming July 4th celebrations!
Helen Betts03-Jul-2007 21:09
Excellent capture, Justin. What perfect timing! Helen
Justin Miller03-Jul-2007 18:54
Thank you all for the comments. The strike was quite close and quite loud - but it was just one of thousands last night. Quite an electrical storm! This is the first time I ever captured lightning without using a several-second exposure...certainly a lucky moment!
Guest 03-Jul-2007 16:47
Nice capture!
Arctic Fox 03-Jul-2007 13:19
Justin, what a fabulous shot! I'm glad that no one was flying a kite nearby!
Denise03-Jul-2007 05:19
Whoa, Justin! What a wonderful capture. Talk about timing, this is great. It must have been one heck of a strike there are streaks all over this image!