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Canon Image Challenge | all galleries >> History (Best Of) >> Best of C*I*C >> Best of 2010 > 2nd Place "Something in the Air" by Sam Rua
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15 August 2010 Sam Rua

2nd Place "Something in the Air" by Sam Rua

Tucson, AZ

From the same evening as the previous image (now moved to the Exhibition gallery), but after the storm had passed by. Taken from my home looking NW towards the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, AZ.

I cloned out some neighborhood house lights in the foreground.

More lightning at: http://www.pbase.com/pegsam/lightning

Canon EOS 30D ,Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
tripod, 8s exposure @ f/6.3, slight crop for comp hide exif
Full EXIF Info
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other sizes: small medium original auto
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Canon Image Challenge17-Aug-2010 19:19
Yeah, I've got to agree with your assessment Sam....this is the better of the two...or the cleanest, or....something...more reaching raw power...for me. Traveller
Canon Image Challenge17-Aug-2010 18:04
I may be the odd man out, here, but I prefer the other shot. I guess I liked the composition of it better (nothing pulling my eye out of the frame) and I liked the signs of civilization in it as well as the implied danger of the lightning actually striking the ground. To me, it's just a more powerful image.

This one is beautiful, and I like it, too. But I do like the other one better. Jim H.
Sam Rua17-Aug-2010 13:57
I moved the previous shot over to the Exhibition Gallery. Thanks for the suggestions Traveller & Nic.
Canon Image Challenge17-Aug-2010 12:23
I love all lightning shots. The only time I was in a position with a great view to photograph some fantastic lightning I had to tear down band equipment from a outdoor gig we did and there wasn't time to setup the photo gear after that cuz the storm was on top of us and fast. Amps, guitars and Pa systems were far more valuable and important at that moment. Paul Alters
Canon Image Challenge17-Aug-2010 11:12
Sam - Both captures are spectacular. This one is amazing as the arcs of lightning (lower and predominantly moving to the right) coupled with the cloud's shadows, almost appear to be wrapping in 3D space around that cloud - Nature isolated.

Your other equally impressive image; "Charged Atmosphere" contains clear signs of civilization (Tucson) in the distance and in the warmed cloud coloring. The amazing thing there is that it looks like all 3 of these aren't cloud to ground strikes, but ground to cloud strikes as the bolts are largest at their earthly bases. Plus the obvious; humankind's display of electricity juxtaposed with Nature's overwhelming display. - Kelly
jnconradie17-Aug-2010 07:29
Goodness gracious! I thought the previous image was good, but this takes it to another level. I agree with Trav, you might have to choose between these two images, but the call is obviously yours to make and you may also leave both here, if you wish. Excellent photography!
Sam Rua17-Aug-2010 04:56
Thanks very much, Traveller. This one is so unusual and nothing like anything else I've been able to capture so I am leaning towards this one.
Canon Image Challenge17-Aug-2010 04:51
Now this is going to be difficult, which of the two images to vote for? You know that you will probably split your vote total between these two excellent images. Do you have a preference? Traveller