p.3 #2 · Oklahoma thunderstorm: Lightning and Stars
Hey Derek,
Being able to look at them both next to each other, #1 has a feel of the star trails being just pasted in, where as #2 feels like a genuine shot. And not that #1 isn't, but with our eyes, we don't see star trails, and while star trails are cool, I know I shoot my share of star trails too, I think there is just something in the case of your composition where #2 with the static stars screams reality and natural.
If we could vote for a photo of the year, I think your #2 would be one of my top choices!
p.3 #3 · Oklahoma thunderstorm: Lightning and Stars
Looking again, I figured out what was throwing me off so much about the star trail image...there are stars in front of the clouds. I am so glad you posted a single frame. It absolutely does justice to the work you did in timing everything. I'll echo what Jim said, it's really one of the best shots I've seen this year!
p.3 #4 · Oklahoma thunderstorm: Lightning and Stars
Interesting to hear of all the enthusiasm for the single frame. I had only given the thought a brief bit of time before receiving all this feedback. I'll have to work on it a bit... see what the best frame of lightning was amongst them, I have 35 of them to choose from.
p.3 #6 · Oklahoma thunderstorm: Lightning and Stars
The first image is kind of crazy and ridiculous, but you know, it's growing on me! Impressive work putting together such an image. I guess I'd like to see the stars a little longer, but then I usually feel that way. Compositionally, I don't think the left 1/3rd of the image gives much, and it kind of serves to make the windmills seem a bit too centered for my tastes. There is no lightning to the left, and the north star isn't in the frame, so I would personally chop that off. Overall, creative work that I enjoyed looking at.
p.3 #10 · Oklahoma thunderstorm: Lightning and Stars
I like these images because they prove the most important thing in landscape photography. Subject trumps all else, even composition. Without being in the right place at the right time, all the technical skills in the world matter nill.
I personally have a severe phobia of standing out in lightning storms, so I can appreciate the effort put into these shots!
