lightning

it changed its mind, and decided to back to the source!

shot from our kitchen last night during the storm in toronto.

update: for this photo I set up my camera on a tripod and set it to f8 and started taking 10 second exposures when I felt there is a possibility for lightning appearance. I took about a hundred shots and in only about 10 of them the lightning was captured and this one is by far the most interesting of them.

check the bigger version for more detail (or for desktop wallpaper use).

my original blog entry.

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Comments

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(219 comments)

Amin Tabrizi says:

Wow...now this is crazy!!!!

This is a superb job Sam!!! I'm speechless...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

dminkovsky says:

a clever way to shoot lightning (sort of obvious but i'm stupid). just keep the shutter open for 10 seconds and hopefully it will come! i love it. will try it the next time i can.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

WAXY. says:

Amazing. Nice work. Fabulous in every way.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Erik Kolstad says:

Pheew; what a great shot!
--
Seen in Extreme Weather (invite only) (?)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

breathingjuice says:

love it.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

DjMagra says:

Loving your work as always! Have a friend who's just moved over to Toronto, and she was telling me all about the storm thismorning, sounded amazing, and looks amazing too!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

AKorour says:

WOW, amazing shot. BTW dminkovsky great tip about capturing lightning.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

hhill says:

great spider!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Tanner. says:

Beautifully captured! I was going to try one last night outside, but the lightning was way too close for comfort .
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

vasta says:

sam, this is positively wonderful! and scary at the same time.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

spinlab says:

Whoa! That is awesome ... we had some pretty good blasts in Mississauga, but the 'ol tower is such an amazing lightning magnet!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

pixienicki says:

wow, there was so much lighting last night (i'm in markham) but none of my shots turned out that well!!!! Edit: they're now posted, if anyone's curious...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Starknaught11 says:

From the looks of it you either live on top of OCAD or inside the AGO. What a view! Oh, and what a capture!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

PoisonedIvy says:

i love it. it's incredible!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

DjMagra says:

I never thought about how loud this must have been actually, wow!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

The Irish Samurai says:

Excellent photo as always.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

six steps  says:

Wow, great shot! I was thinking of going out to get some shots, but I live in a townhouse in the suburb of Malvern :S

Is it possible to upload a larger version for wallpaper? I'd love to have this on my desktop =D
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Carrie Musgrave | Livebabylive.com says:

Where the heck was I? I didn't see a storm at all last night. Must've been in a coma!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tdl says:

wow!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

brookenovak says:

I don't know what else to say but WOW!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LucaPicciau says:

Very Powerful Shot... A very pleasure for the eyes!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

worldinmy_eyes says:

Nice view from your kitchen!
Beautiful shot - just stunning!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

PhylG says:

This is spectacular! And I was so fascinated, at first, by the general lightning pattern that it took a couple of minutes to see that big, glowing strike at the top of the Tower. Really amazing!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Siebbi says:

Holy crap! That's amazing! Congrats!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Yazdgerd says:

Great! How long were u waiting for this shot? ;)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

★hime's images★ says:

not only do u have a great view from your kitchen......but the shot leaves me speechless!!!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

davidvancura says:

Great capture, and great view!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Navelfluff says:

just commented on you blog and decided to fav it on flickr.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ma-me says:

what an amazing shot! I really loved seeing all the lightning last night downtown and I wish I had my camera with me so I could try to take a shot! Thanks for sharing! this is now my wallpaper on my desktop :P
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Cvalentine says:

Just amazing. That one bolt connecting with the top of the spire on the building is an amazing catch. As always, great catch.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

zavero says:

great!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

_cage_ says:

Awesome capture. It sure was a storm last night
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

dweaf76 says:

Now how to do is one, to do it is th second thing! Stunning! thnkz for sharing it :D
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

denmar says:

Christ, that is awesome.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

memyselfeye says:

wow im in kw and we didnt get the lightning forks, we just got long flashes of lightning and a huge pink cloud! awesome shot!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

selen9900 says:

Amazing！！！！！！！！ Good job
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Clow says:

Excellent imagery......and a nice piece of photo work.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Rafael DeLima [deleted] says:

Niceeeeeeeeeee!!!! im going to try that too,,, it's hurricane season here in Orlando so i guess a have good chances =) hehe
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

AnnaMarie777 [deleted] says:

WOW! I have tried to capture lightning, but could never figure out how to do it. Nice Shot.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Bart_2006 says:

Cool shot! Thank you for sharing
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

k . s says:

That's amazing. What patience you have to find the right timing of the lightning shots.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

miumomo says:

amazing shot !!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Richie the K says:

Great shot of the lightning. Thunderstorms provide the best 'fireworks' that can be enjoyed. I've tried unsuccessfully to shoot pictures of lightning. You have given me some excellant insight on how to accomplish this task. Thanks for your input. Richie the K
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

pixleslie says:

Just amazing. Been pondering how I could shoot lightning. You make it seem so easy. But I'm betting I'll be even more in awe of this shot after I try... a few hundred times.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

apstewart says:

very nice!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Andrew. says:

Truly stunning! Two nights ago was definitely an amazing storm!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

lawatha says:

Congratulations! This remarkable image is currently one of Flickr's most interesting photos for 02 August, 2006. (It is on page one of the calendar view.) Would you please add it to the Interestingness pool? It would be a great addition!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Ned Lyttelton says:

Quite apart from the lightning, the detail in the buildings - the interiors, the reflections - are brilliant
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Bosta says:

Beautiful.
I'm pretty jealous, having never gotten a lightning shot that intense.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

infomaniac says:

You know, this pic was on DIGG!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

DigitalPunk says:

Wow awesome!!! :D I was stuck driving in this storm :P
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

rhaleuk says:

Stunning, as ever!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Kolohe Pix says:

Wow! i was watching this storm from my bedroom window and i was thinking how i wish i had a tripod. It's great that you captured this! It was a wickedly good light show.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tysonwilliams.com says:

Great job on this photo! I live close by you - wish I tried to as well :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

destinyuk* says:

mental.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

cas poldermans [deleted] says:

great great sam! lucky you get lightning btw; i haven't seen lightning for years although i always carry a mini tripod just in case!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Reed Johnson says:

Awesome!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

johnpiercy says:

well done , you never cease to amaze me Sam ,,,
You have an ultra cool view of TO

Hope your enjoying the summer

JP
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

essjaxx says:

I've pinched this for my desktop too. Thank you, it's awesome.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

yucca2k6 says:

very cool!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ubieday says:

What an INCREDIBLE shot! Well done. Thanks for sharing this.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Toddlo says:

Awesome!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

kilr_kadoogan says:

ok, fantastic picture but please PLEASE create a widescreen version!!! (1920 x 1200 preferably) I'm dying here
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

babykailan says:

astonishing.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Grape Juice Girl says:

fantastic - an absolute great view of the city and the storm. just curious - what floor are you? I used to live on the other side of bay (on the 10th floor) and my south facing view was no where was as spectular as yours!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Dada Iliescu says:

Great capture! Good job!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Maniezzo says:

Excellent Shoot The view is perfect and So So sharp. I used a similar technique. I have posted it feel free to look. I didn't have the increadable view you enjoy to accent the lightning but I ended up with a purple hue to the sky. I think it was the same storm we were both shooting.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Voetmann says:

LOVE IT!

Instant fav!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

quebon2 says:

Almost 18,000 views in only four days. Damn! This one's definitely a winna! Congrats!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

TroySnowPhoto [deleted] says:

Unbelievably Cool! WOW...
Fav 4 sure;o)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

j00wish says:

Incredible. I'm in awe...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Jakob Montrasio says:

Just... awesome.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

bucharestdragon says:

A completly great shot !
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Ustat says:

Neat.. I tried that night too, but nothing too interesting came of it!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

dano35ie says:

Absolute Class shot
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

[le]doo says:

WAHOOOOUU /congratulations
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

German Saez [deleted] says:

Superb photo. Amazing
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Danilo |chutzpah| says:

WOW ... It's incredible ...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

c-reel.com says:

Superbe !!!!

See my blog:
http:c-reel.blogspot.com

See my website:
www.c-reel.com
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Marco Adams says:

Unreal!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

WA4RLB says:

Beautiful city too !
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

f_feng_liu says:

Amazing!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

manwithface says:

amazing how many comments one (recent) photo can garner
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Anthony Timberlake says:

This is now my favorite picture and my new desktop!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

The Tattered Coat says:

wonderful shot. thanks so much for explaining how you did it.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

wacky doodler says:

wow, absolutely incredible! glad i wasn't atop the cn tower that night!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Kennils says:

Very nice
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

british_shorty_23 says:

O my god this photo is breathtaking. thanks for allowin me to see such a fantastic picture
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Akfirebug says:

Awesome!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

TimSchuler says:

one of the best i've ever seen
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

fotograf.416 says:

that's amazing! instant fav!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ontario-gal says:

I remember that storm! Incredible clouds scudding overhead ...... congrats on a superb illustration of nature at her finest!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Soyza  says:

Indeed amazing. Congratulations!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

xxxtoff says:

ahhhhh
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Christ0ff says:

beautiful shot, i like it much
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Erik Kolstad says:

Please consider adding this fantastic capture to the new 1-2-3 Weather group:
www.flickr.com/groups/123wx/
--
Seen in Extreme Weather (invite only) (?)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

*raffaella says:

Amazing shot. We just had a huge electrical storm last night in Edmonton... I will have to follow your settings during the next storm.

A Big Fave
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

kathyhong says:

Wow,very very nice photo, great shot!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

scooter_b_69 says:

Impressive!!!!!! I could kill for that kind of shot! (just kidding)
Nice work!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Simon.G [deleted] says:

also wanna have a kitchen like yours, fantastic view - and of course great photo!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Toronto, Ontario (map)
Taken with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.
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Replaced on August 3, 2006

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lightning

Comments

Amin Tabrizi says:

dminkovsky says:

WAXY. says:

Erik Kolstad says:

breathingjuice says:

DjMagra says:

AKorour says:

hhill says:

Tanner. says:

vasta says:

spinlab says:

pixienicki says:

Starknaught11 says:

PoisonedIvy says:

DjMagra says:

The Irish Samurai says:

six steps  says:

Carrie Musgrave | Livebabylive.com says:

*tdl* says:

brookenovak says:

LucaPicciau says:

worldinmy_eyes says:

PhylG says:

Siebbi says:

Yazdgerd says:

★hime's images★ says:

davidvancura says:

Navelfluff says:

ma-me says:

Cvalentine says:

zavero says:

_cage_ says:

dweaf76 says:

denmar says:

memyselfeye says:

selen9900 says:

Jeff Clow says:

Rafael DeLima [deleted] says:

AnnaMarie777 [deleted] says:

Bart_2006 says:

k . s says:

miumomo says:

Richie the K says:

pixleslie says:

apstewart says:

Andrew. says:

lawatha says:

Ned Lyttelton says:

Bosta says:

infomaniac says:

DigitalPunk says:

rhaleuk says:

Kolohe Pix says:

tysonwilliams.com says:

destinyuk* says:

cas poldermans [deleted] says:

Reed Johnson says:

johnpiercy says:

essjaxx says:

yucca2k6 says:

ubieday says:

Toddlo says:

kilr_kadoogan says:

babykailan says:

Grape Juice Girl says:

Dada Iliescu says:

Michael Maniezzo says:

Voetmann says:

quebon2 says:

TroySnowPhoto [deleted] says:

j00wish says:

Jakob Montrasio says:

bucharestdragon says:

Ustat says:

dano35ie says:

[le]doo says:

German Saez [deleted] says:

Danilo |chutzpah| says:

tdl says: