Darwin Light Show

[WJT]

I took my family for a sunrise this morning and was treated to a light show at the Stokes Hill Wharf. Still a bit of wor to do on this but I wanted to share Mother Natures treat with members.

[Dave Humphries]

Good capture Wayne,

It would be even better with some rotation and perspective correction.

Plus the cloning out of a few spots;
Are they dirt specks on a window you shots through?
Or are they dust bunnies on your sensor? (shot at f/22)

I know, I'm a hard taskmaster sometimes
- and that's the polite way of saying it

Cheers,

[WJT]

Good capture Wayne,

It would be even better with some rotation and perspective correction.

Plus the cloning out of a few spots;
Are they dirt specks on a window you shots through?
Or are they dust bunnies on your sensor? (shot at f/22)

I know, I'm a hard taskmaster sometimes
- and that's the polite way of saying it

Cheers,

Hi Dave,

They are dust and water spots from changing lenses on the run. I think I have covered them with this version. The rotation is a tuff one as the water in the fore ground is not a straight line and when you try and correct it, it becomes worse, if you look at the buildings it gives you some perspective. I always shoot lightning that is close to me with an F22 as it comes up clear but back it off as it gets further away. On the horizon about F5.6. See how you like this version. I am here for feedback, not for pats on the back so please don't hold back.

Regards, Wayne

[WJT]

PS: Here another

[Photon Hacker]

Congratulations!. In my opinion the last one is too exaggerated and also noisy. What it is, local contrast enhancement?

[WJT]

Congratulations!. In my opinion the last one is too exaggerated and also noisy. What it is, local contrast enhancement?

Hi Mario,

The last one is not enhanced (not the lightning strike). This is the real thing, but it's a big strike and is very close. My guess is within 2 miles, I wouldn't like to be underneath it. Te only adjustments is a bit of definition and so on.

[dje]

Hi Wayne

Great shots. I've never tried storm photography but I was interested in your comments on aperture settings. I guess you have plenty of opportunities for storm shots at this time of the year. I remember being in Darwin in summer with work some years ago and every afternoon without fail there would be a big storm come up.

I see you used a 30 sec shutter time which gives good exposure on the main scene - but how do you know when the lightning is going to strike ?

I think the rotation in images 2 and 3 is an improvement.

Dave

[WJT]

Hi Wayne

Great shots. I've never tried storm photography but I was interested in your comments on aperture settings. I guess you have plenty of opportunities for storm shots at this time of the year. I remember being in Darwin in summer with work some years ago and every afternoon without fail there would be a big storm come up.

I see you used a 30 sec shutter time which gives good exposure on the main scene - but how do you know when the lightning is going to strike ?

I think the rotation in images 2 and 3 is an improvement.

Dave

Thanks Dave, The aperture setting changes depending if you have a foreground or not. If you do as I have here then you set it with the intention of capturing the lightning in the background as well as the foreground. If its dark you can just use a 30 second shutter speed and keep pressing the button. Better still you can buy a remote for the shutter and leave the shutter open until you get the shot then stop it. I am new to this so have a lot to learn, but there are a few good hints from members and on google.

Darwin has more lightning strikes than anywhere I'm told, so I have a lot to look forward to, but the lightning season is coming to an end and the monsoon will arrive any day.

[RockNGoalStar]

Wow! I love lightning shots and these are great! Not had any lightning round here for a while so not had the chance to shoot any

[WJT]

Come to Darwin Tommy, we say "You'll never never know, if you never never go".