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Syndyne — Lightspeed
Published: 2012-12-10 04:36:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 405; Favourites: 24; Downloads: 0
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Description
Taken out on the Newtown opal fields, Lightning Ridge N.S.W. on the 10.12.12 at 1:06am EDST.Huge staccato bolts encroaching on the edge of town. These appear to be hitting around the 3Mile/Nebia opal field areas just to the South of town. Every time one of these came down I instantly had to try and figure out where it had hit via the bright flash left in my peripheral vision. These are mostly shot at 16mm so you must realise I could only -at best- see the bottom half of these bolts by eye. It's important to know just where they are located as once bolts are hitting behind you it's way too late.
One of the best storms I've seen in years! The lightning strike count must've been in the high hundreds per hour. Crazy times
EXIF:
Canon 5D MkIII
30seconds
ISO100
f/13
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM Lens
16mm @ Infinity Focus
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Comments: 7
If the bolts are that big in the finished product at 16mm they are getting damn close indeed! I always figure that the more forks I can see to the sides of the main bolt there at least that many coming right at me too. I'd hav eot stand my ground a little while longer but I'd be winding the mainspring for a hasty retreat at the same time
Excellent captures, Shaun
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I have a shot that you'll love to see
It's hitting just behind my right shoulder in the photo. All you can see are bolt branches overhead and the ground lit up like daylight! Looking at the LCD screen on the 5D after it hit was interesting 
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It definitely takes a lot of practice, patience and good camera control
It can be very frustrating when things don't co-operate or go wrong. No second chances with lightning. Once it's gone, it's gone forever
Thanks so much for the comment
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These storms would have to be up there as far as dangerous goes. We have had several very close bolts hit around us over the years while photographing around town.
Thirty feet is the the closest I've ever experienced -but that was many years ago as a kid. It struck the end of the roof of our neighbours house (on our side). The noise was deafening and blue sparks showered down through our light fittings! My father was driving up the driveway at the time. Gave him a good fright also. It blew half of the rain guttering off the roof and wrapped it around the clothes line.
There have been countless other times where trees and power poles have been struck near by. It's all part of the fun
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