Sunday, June 20, 2010

(Day 171) Light Magic

Yesterday I wrote about the weather we're experiencing here and that I was noticing a pattern. Today's weather reinforced that perception ten-fold. We were treated to a non-stop show of lightning - some very close - tremendous thunderclaps, and torrential rain (the rain gauge showed 1.5"/40mm of rain). It seemed to go on forever and I thought it might last till nighttime, with the opportunities for making photos slipping away. I tried to capture some of the lightning forks but no success (and I didn't really want to be sticking my neck out given the proximity of some of the strikes!).

Then, slowly, the dark clouds started moving away and a wonderful, magical light appeared. I tried to capture the effect it had on a couple of plants. The setting sun also plays magic with the remnants of the storm clouds, so for Sunset Sunday I've also included a shot.

(18-55mm  f5.6  1/160 sec  ISO200)
















(18-55mm  f5.6  1/60 sec  ISO200)
















(18-55mm  f8  1/50 sec  ISO200)

Sunset Sunday

32 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Amazing color. That evening light is so rich and warm.
Blessings,Ruth

Rick said...

@Ruth's Photo Blog - thanks Ruth; it is and it makes colours, and photos, so soft. Have a wonderful week ahead.

darlin said...

Amazing lighting and I don't personally think that any photo is worth getting hit by lightening, wise choice Rick. :-)

Wonderful sunset once again, it's so awesome taking the sunset shots with the beautiful colors to end our days.

Have a wonderful evening.

chasity said...

that sky shot is beyond amazing.
absolutely breathtaking!

Scott Law said...

Love the color and angle of the lighting on those top two and your sunset shot is amazing. Hope your Fathers' Day was great.

Carolyn Ford said...

Oh, you aren't kidding about that gorgeous light. What magic it is! Beautiful!

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

superb tones!! regards

Anonymous said...

Awesome capture of lights, but my favorite got to be the sunset because of the crazy but amazing orange clouds.

Well done!

Dagmar said...

Goodmorning Rick (well it is here) thanks for not sticking your neck out to far...lighting frigtens me...brrrr
But the images make it up...they are wonderful.
Hope you're having a ball.
Hugs Dag.

Unknown said...

I like the first photo, because of the warm yellowish tones!

Greetz,

Joseph

Sharon M said...

Wow, those are some shots!

Rick said...

@darlin - thanks Darlene - sunsets here are just awesome (I'm saving a few for future Sunset Sundays :)

Have a great week.

Rick said...

@chasity - thank you; it was hard to believe it was real and the sky kept changing by the minute!

My name is Riet said...

Beautiful colours Rick. Prachtige sunset.

S. Etole said...

That was certainly worth the wait ...

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

You captured LIGHT, no doubt about it. Just lovely.

Rick said...

@Scott - thank you Scott - I think it was another of those 'golden moments' - right place at the right time. Hope your Father's Day was as good as mine!

Rick said...

@Carolyn Ford - thank you Carolyn - I'd say this day was a diamond!

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thank you Costea.

Rick said...

@M. Hassan - thank you M; that magical moment is hard to resist, when the ordinary is elevated momentarily to the extra-ordinary. And I was so glad to be present, camera ready, when the sky put on an amazing show.

Rick said...

@Barefoot from Heaven - so far, so good with the lightning. Saw on the news that lightning blew a hole in the roof of a home not far from here - scary thought!

Thanks Dag, things are going well and I hope for you and your mil also.

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - thank you Joseph; it is a beautiful plant on the west side of the house and just radiated in the setting sun.

Rick said...

@Sharon M - thanks Sharon - right place, right time I guess.

Rick said...

@Riet - dank u wel Riet. 't gebeurt hier vaak dat er een mooie sunset is.

Rick said...

@S. Etole - yes, and I of little faith thought I would be hard-pressed for a photo op.

Rick said...

@Jeanne Klaver - thank you Jeanne. All I had to do was show up - the rest was done for me!

MedaM said...

Wonderful light you captured as well as the colors. Great photos, indeed!

Sharodindu said...

3rd one is really cool :)

Rick said...

@MedaM - thank you for visiting and your kind words!

Rick said...

@Sharodindu - thank you for stopping by and commenting!

Unknown said...

Oh wow! These are really spectacular, Rick! I love that evening light. :o)

Rick said...

@Krista - isn't it amazing how that light affects and transforms things!