Lightning and sunset

Chosen Pick of the Month!

One judge wrote: "Aside from capturing a couple decisive moments with lightning strikes, the cloud textures are varied and interesting with all kinds of neat lighting in the photo."

The photographer wrote: "On August 31, 2007 was a special sunset. Earlier that day the weather man said we might have some lightning and rain showers in the evening. I took note watching to see what would happen. During sunset clouds filled the sky overhead, but to the West the sky was opening with a clear blue sky. I knew from experience that this was a special sunset. As the sun moves below the horizon sun rays would enter under the clouds. Soon, the sun rays will reflect off the bottom of the clouds and reflect onto Pend Oreille Lake. I made sure I was at a location where I could capture to whole thing.

"The sunset lasted for about 20 minutes. Halfway through the sunset I noticed lightning over Washington from a storm rolling in. Thankfully the western horizon stayed open allowing the warm tones from the sunset to reflect on the clouds and lake. I set my camera on manual to make sure each exposure was the same then began clicking away. About ten images in I began capturing streaks of lightning. Each exposure was about 10 seconds long at F/11. I was using a 2-stop, two graduated filter to balance the lake and sky with a tripod and cable release. The image you see is two lighting strikes combined together. Because the camera never moved from its position, the horizon stayed the same allowing me to combine the images.

"I am very grateful to have captured these strikes. Without my experiences of photographing northern Idaho I would have never been able to capture these images." Taken August 31.

Photo by Ryan McGinty. See more at RyanMcGinty.com.