Note: This site is currently "Under construction". I'm migrating to a new version of my site building software. Lots of things are in a state of disrepair as a result (for example, footnote links aren't working). It's all part of the process of building in public. Most things should still be readable though.

Lightning Off The Back Porch

Photo for August 2nd, 2012

A summer lightning storm blew through last week. I was driving home for most of it but managed to make it back in time to catch one nice shot off the patio.

Streaks of blue lightning illuminating an overcast sky. A stand of trees is silhouetted in the lower third of the image.

For the photo nerds: This as a 66 second exposure at ISO 400 with the aperture set to f/5.6.

There was barely any rain for most it. Some sprinkles started toward the end. Since I don't seem to own an umbrella anymore, I had to improvise a cover for my rig. Two Magic Arms^1^^, some Super Clamps^2^^ and a piece of mat board assembled together did the trick.

A camera sitting on a tripod. The camera is facing away. There are two flexible clamp amrs holding a piece of cardboard above the camera to keep it dry

It wasn't windy at all. If it had been, I would have used a light stand to hold the jerry-rigged shelter. Otherwise, there would have been motion blur in the trees.

Now I'm off to buy an umbrella. I don't care about getting wet, but I'd prefer my gear stay dry.

References

  • Indispensable tools for your lighting and photography arsenal. These things, along with the multitude of clamps, brackets and studs, allow anything to be attached anywhere and pointed in any direction. Highly recommended.

  • You'll want at least one of these for each Magic Arm. As with all clamps, there's no such thing as having too many.