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Nature's Opulent Power
1st PlaceNature's Opulent Power
SJCarter


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: ABC...LMN...XYZ (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Location: Topsail Island, NC
Date: May 5, 2008
Aperture: 1:29.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 4 seconds
Galleries: Nature, Water
Date Uploaded: May 11, 2008

 This was my first real attempt at capturing lightning - and I actually got a couple of bolt images! HAHA

This was taken on Topsail Island, NC (USA), while Dad & I were on a fishing trip. And yes, this was "close"! I jumped (nearly out of my skin when this one hit), but I had just clicked the remote trigger on the camera too!

That's the Jolly Roger pier and we caught a bunch of bluefish and Spanish mackerel over the three days we were there. The fact that I got some cool lightning shots on the afternoon we arrived was just a bonus!

PP included layers of LucisArt, levels, dodge/burn, color balance, replace color, gaussian blur, hue/sat, resize, sharpen, save for Web.

POST CHALLENGE:
OMG!!! I thought I might be in the running for top 5, but my score kept rising after the first day of voting (when it was in the upper 6s). Believe me, I'm as surprised as you are! I was just thrilled to show off that I actually got a lightning bolt shot - I didn't think so much about the fact that it was a relatively long exposure that showed off the waves or the graduated tonal range of the sky & sea - I was just stoked about the bolt! ROFLMAO

My father laughed at/with me when I was taking these shots (because we arrived for fishing and the storm was VERY intense). I shot this from the motel balcony (and ended up shooting from inside the room because of the horizontal rain). But I was determined to get at least one lightning shot from this terrific storm...

It paid off! teehee... Dad was like - did you get that one? Did you get that one? (Every time a bolt would show up - and I'd have to say, "no - it was between clicks or it was just before or after I hit the button".) Until I realized and shouted "I got one!!!" and then I was like, "I got another one!" hahaha - It was fun... (The fact that we caught our limit of fish for three days didn't hurt my frame of mind either...)

PS:
And yes as some of you have commented, I realize that I probably could/should have used "Overwhelming" or "Omnipotent" or another "O" word, but I liked "Opulent" and thought it fit.

Dictionary.com:
"opulent"
1. characterized by or exhibiting opulence: an opulent suite.
2. wealthy, rich, or affluent.
3. richly supplied; abundant or plentiful: opulent sunshine.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 194
Avg (all users): 7.2238
Avg (commenters): 8.1875
Avg (participants): 6.9429
Avg (non-participants): 7.4932
Views since voting: 16941
Views during voting: 290
Votes: 143
Comments: 85
Favorites: 34 (view)

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AuthorThread
 09/03/2008 07:53:29 AM
Awesome ...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/28/2008 01:20:04 PM
Awesome capture of an awesome moment split-second in time. Congrats on the Blue! Love the comp, tones, and fog... it leaves the viewer with the feeling of actually sitting on the sand (at least it does for me). This belongs on a wall at ~50". Well done :O)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/25/2008 12:57:16 AM
This is absolutely awesome. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/24/2008 02:26:49 AM
First Congrats on the blue ribbon! I like blue and hnece this pic attracted me very much. Looking at the pic i was wondering about the connection between caption and content and was guessing may be u were meaning Opulence in the sense of variety and vastness of some of Nature's gifts - lightning, brilliant but very short life; an ocean that is vast and permanent with waves that rae individually short but as a part of the sea everlasting, the transience of lightning vs the solidity of the pier and the lifeless material contrasted by the lively fish....

all these surmise b4 looking at your comments and after thoughts on the caption... lol!!!!

I am no photographer just one who comes here to enjoy the work ogf masters like you!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2008 06:29:41 PM
Great elements--single bolt, green water and dark sky. How cool is this? Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2008 05:44:11 PM
Wonderful shot SJ. Very well deserved Blue. As others have said - beautiful tones and great story. I had the same feeling when I took my shot ( entered in the Sepia challenge ). We don't get many good storms and I have tried on numerous occasions to get a lightning shot...like you, I got such a buzz when I got a couple. Mine didn't do so well in the challenge, but it was shown on TV on the local news and it maybe in a book which the station might compile at the end of the year of all the shots they have shown on the show for charity, so not to upset with the challenge score, lol.
Congrats ( and good thread on CEJ also nice one Chris)
Wingy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2008 01:04:47 PM
Cracking shot dare I say! Close, fishing, lightning, not a good combination of words for surviavl in thunder storm conditions! Glad to read you took the shot from the safety of your hotel room. However, you were in the right place at the right time and got a first rate shot. The composition is great, I love the old rickety pier; the colour of the water is very pleasing and the ominous, dark, murky background adds the finishing touches to an excellent image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2008 04:46:24 PM
What an amazing capture!! Way to go Jimmy! Congrats on that blue ribbon...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2008 09:16:46 AM
GOSH! Excellent image Jimmy! Good for you on the BLUE!! Very well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2008 07:47:29 AM
Congrats my friend!! This image is fabulous - serenity spiked with energy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2008 06:09:56 AM
Absolutely gorgeous!!
Love the composition & the work you did on this photo ;)
Bravo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/21/2008 06:04:15 AM
COO!
This is SO much better than I got - I took about 120 shots, all at about 1/60th second, and only got a weak looking shot against light background sky. This is really impressive! Reminds me of stormchasers, and the sort of classically perfect shots they show, but they are usually about two miles away - not so you! Wonder if it was very dark, and all the light comes from the bolt, or is there some skylight, or what? I would love to know what the time was on the exposure

I bet you will get lots of folks want to buy this print - I do!

All the best for a bright future - hope it's not just a flash in the pan, as they say here

Adrian
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 08:57:31 PM
Really, really nicely done. Perfect bolt. The timing is just part of the battle really. Compo is often tricky and this one played for you very nicely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 06:04:45 PM
Hey, this is Brenda D. This photograph is one of the most incredible sights that I have ever seen!! I love looking at you work......truly amazing.
Okay, now about the Blues and Mackerel that you and your Dad caught. Did you use a Hopkins for the Blues and live bait for the Macks or live bait for both? I thought that Blues only ran during November. When did they change their migrating habits??
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 05:52:17 PM
Hey, when is it going to be for sale?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 05:50:06 PM
Congratulations! I can picture "the legend" taking this shot with your dad - sounds like you were both jumping up and down. It's an awesome (can't help using it again) shot! You deserve the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 05:16:50 PM
This is simply awesome. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 12:48:09 PM
Congratulations, Jimmy - beautiful image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 09:04:48 AM
Jimmy, what an AWESOME shot! Huge congrats on the blue!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 12:31:08 AM
Nice dreamy shot, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2008 12:22:19 AM
The sky is lit up! This is superb.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 07:33:34 PM
Woohoo! Congrats, Jimmy! What glorious colors and drama.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 05:28:04 PM
This is really an amazing shot and I love your enthusiasm for it as well! Don't ya just love getting THE shot? I particularly like the brightness at the origin of the bolt and then the gradient darkness in the sky and the nice toning of the beach and water. The pier adds a lot to this shot as well. Nature sure gave you a shot to remember!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 02:11:21 PM
Bro this is so good, it shouldn't even be legal. Congrats on just an amazing entry. Beautiful capture, and congrats on the Ribb.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 11:50:05 AM
Fan-Effin-Tabulous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 11:38:16 AM
Beautiful! Congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 11:13:56 AM
What a terrific image....congrats on the blue. Well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 10:43:45 AM
DUDE!!!!!!!! Way to go. Fabulous shot. Amazing for the first time too. CONGRATULATIONS
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 10:40:05 AM
Gratz on this beautiful capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 10:13:26 AM
Woo Hooo Jimmy! I had a feeling this would win the minute I saw it! CONGRATULATIONS! This photo is absolutely amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 09:31:11 AM
dude wicked shot
congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 09:24:42 AM
Brilliant story behind the piture, well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 09:04:53 AM
Great shot, funny story to go with it. Congratulations on your blue ribbon. This was my challenge favorite and my only "10."

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 08:39:46 AM
Awesome capture, and congrats on a big blue ribbon as well. Thanks for adding the details and for the fishing report : )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 06:57:00 AM
love your story as much as the picture lol. Way to go.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 06:47:32 AM
Jimmy my man!!!! WTG with the blue - it's well deserved to go with this wonderful photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 06:37:56 AM
Congratulations Jimmy! Very well done! Beautiful photograph!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 06:27:57 AM
Nice shot, looks like you made the lightning yourself with Alien Skin xenofex but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

Good timing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 04:57:57 AM
Congrats on a well deserved blue ribbon! Fantastic capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 04:19:46 AM
Congrats, Jimmy! Such an awesome shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 04:06:28 AM
So So deserved, and so pleased this one got the BLUE.....
A truly MAGICAL shot.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 03:08:27 AM
Nice one Jimmy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 02:50:35 AM
Fantastic image congrats on the Blue, I knew this would win as soon as I saw it, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 02:46:03 AM
I knew this shot would do really well. Definitely one of my all time favs. Congrats !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 02:32:26 AM
Woot!! Way to go Jimmy... Congratulations on a stunning image it gives me an amazing window into the day. Love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 02:08:21 AM
More than just a "bolt" shot. Nicely done man!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 02:06:53 AM
Freaking awesome that you caught your limit of fish! Oh, nice pic, too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 01:58:05 AM
wayyy ta go jimmy, beautiful shot! big fat hug.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 01:51:57 AM
Terrific shot, of course, but I also didn't think that opulent was quite the right word. Congratulations on the Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 01:29:59 AM
Wow! Congrats on the blue. This is certainly an amazing and superb shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 01:23:43 AM
Wow that's stunning! Congrats on your blue, it's very well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 01:14:54 AM
Nice Capture! A very clean lightning bolt picture. Add to fav's
BTW - Congrats on the Blue...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 01:12:14 AM
Far out, Jimmy! Congratulations!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:57:35 AM
Wow! I bet that could recharge your camera batteries, strip the paint off your house and give your family a permanent orange afro! :)

Congratulations Jimmy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:48:46 AM
"Topsail Island, NC" ...ah, I miss that place.

Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:45:26 AM
Excellent!! The story that goes with the shot is even better than the little blue gif thingie.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:41:13 AM
Awesome shot. Congrats on your Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:40:26 AM
Glad this one got the blue! Congratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:36:19 AM
Sweet dude! Awesome capture! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:33:33 AM
Congratulations on the Blue...I love this image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:28:51 AM
congrats on the blue! You feel very close to the energy here
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:25:06 AM
One of my top picks. A powerful moment indeed. Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:21:49 AM
Excellent capture Jimmy! Congrats on blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:12:09 AM
Congrat's on your blue. You actually made lightning pretty! Beautifully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:06:31 AM
Wow, Jimmy. Rockin' shot, congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/19/2008 12:04:37 AM
Wonderful choice for Blue! Congrats, this is awesome...SJ is a legend now!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/16/2008 04:35:56 PM
Oh wow! What's not to like about this fabulously, perfect image? It's an incredible image to say the least!! The soft blues against the lightening bolt are so pretty and yet vicious at the same time. What a capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2008 10:47:23 AM
Wow... Amazing picture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2008 09:45:16 PM
This is pretty intense - the subject matter and the photograph - I wouldn't have been outthere but that just me. Is the pier ok? I love the blues and greens. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2008 02:53:26 PM
nice capture, I like the colors
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/15/2008 10:39:40 AM
Stunning stuff- love the softness of the sky and the intensity of the lighting and glow from above
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/14/2008 09:46:56 PM
Fantastic lightning capture! I really like the colors too and how they blend to the horizon. The water seems almost ghostly (from post-processing?) The title works very well too. Good luck in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/14/2008 04:26:21 PM
I really like the haziness broken by the lightning...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/14/2008 02:19:21 PM
Simple, elegant and plenty of WOW!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/14/2008 12:33:21 PM
Wow! Fantastic capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/13/2008 07:28:21 PM
Beautiful shot. I've spent hours taking shots like this and not seen one this nicely done. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/13/2008 11:25:37 AM
Main Entry: op·u·lent
Pronunciation: -lənt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin opulentus, from ops power, help; akin to Latin opus work
Date: 1523
: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: as a: having a large estate or property : wealthy b: amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation

I don't think "Opulent" is the right word here, FYI. Nice capture though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 10:09:19 PM
This is beautiful - stunning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 04:33:03 PM
that is real cool on many levels.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 11:45:54 AM
"Overwhelming" might have been a better word... killer shot, though :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 11:21:34 AM
Excellent
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 09:55:15 AM
wow! what a capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 06:57:56 AM
Darn good shot & great title to go with it 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 03:26:07 AM
At last a lightning shot that I like, and that works. And the colours are wonderful ... not the normal mauvey, pinky, bluey mess that we see with most lightning photographs.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/12/2008 01:03:55 AM
whoa that looks close
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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