Fantastic image. I gotta wonder about the wisdom and value of risking ones life for a photograph. But of course, if I was there I would have probably done the same thing you did ...
First of all, a gracious Thank You to everyone for your compliments and encouragements and even legitimate concern for my well being. Very much appreciated. Sorry I can not get to every comment, but here is an attempt.
Rohanban wrote:
Amazing dude. The adventure is what drives me everyday. Thank you for sharing the shot and the cool story. Its motivating.
You are welcome. Thank you!
Scott Kroeker wrote:
Incredible photo and story!
THX dude!
kwilliam8 wrote:
Your image is amazing and beautiful! Please be safe. We would like to enjoy your work for years to come.
Keith W.
Well appreciated, thank you.
Hardcore wrote:
Awesome! Great Story! Voted!
Big thanks!
Klaus Priebe wrote:
Amazing, beautiful, just f-ing awesome. You told me about this shot a White Pocket and getting hit by the lightning. I tried to imagine how beautiful it was but I couldn't even come close to seeing in my mind's eye how this really was. Once in a lifetime shot my friend and happy you were able to capture it!
Rock on and be safe out there!
Well coming from YOU that means a ton! Thank you very much Klaus! Was great finally meeting you.
pike40 wrote:
Glad you came through without injury Mark, the image is fantastic!
Mike
thank you. Me too!
Maritan wrote:
What an awesome shot. Hope you're ok...
I am fine, thank you!
JimFox wrote:
Hey Mark,
That is one very cool shot, wonderful light and color in it.
But as far as fools luck goes, I would truly caution you to be a little more careful around lightning, way too many people are killed by lightning each year. And while beautiful photos are awesome, there is not a single photo that would be so awesome that it would be worth you dying for. Lightning is incredible and beautiful, but it should be safely photographed. What if that had happened during an actual workshop and one of your students was struck and killed? Be careful out there!
Jim
Thank you Jim.
Fools luck? To be clear, I NEVER EVER take my clients that close to lightning!
As far as risk goes, and as much as I genuinely appreciate your concern, in my own personal photographic pursuits, sometimes I do. It is a fine line. No risk is often no reward as well. So, of course each has to figure out what the fine line is for themselves. My dad was (and is) a world class alpine mountaineer and he took risks many others would not his entire life (over 220 major summits, including some of the tallest peaks). He is strong, sharp and completely healthy at nearing 78 years old and still climbing like a 30 year old. Maybe like father like son...
Nice Work! You really captured an epic show. I like the foreboding storm, blue sky and warm sunset all captured in a single image, definitely sums up AZ weather sometimes
Amazing capture Mark! Being out in the field for 300 days surely paid off on this one. Pretty steady hands, handholding this one after getting indirectly hit by lightning. What a wild ride! Tripod is carbon fiber right?
absolutely stunning scene. You captured it very well and don't blame you for continuing to shoot.
One of the most amazing scenes I have ever seen was also at the north rim. It was about 20 years ago and was my first time at the grand canyon. The light was amazing and a storm was in the distance. I didn't take photos back then but its one of the scenes I think about now that I am a photographer.
Composition, light, and landscape are incredible... fantastic image/work here Mark.
However, if I'm being honest my head is having a hard time wrapping around the close encounter of the dramatic blues and oranges in the sky colors... it's probably how it looked, the colors just seem a bit too intense to my eye.
Once again, terrific work and a real pleasure to see.
Spectacular in every sense, furious and beautiful.
Years ago, I got knocked on my knees and hands when lightning struck a church a couple hundreds meters away. I can't even begin to imagine what you must have gone through. Voted.
KirkB wrote:
Composition, light, and landscape are incredible... fantastic image/work here Mark.
However, if I'm being honest my head is having a hard time wrapping around the close encounter of the dramatic blues and oranges in the sky colors... it's probably how it looked, the colors just seem a bit too intense to my eye.
Once again, terrific work and a real pleasure to see.
Kirk
Thank you. Actually, I subdued the colors a bit in hopes people would not think that... But at some point I did not want them to have a sort of washed out muted look. I processed this on a calibrated Mac Thunderbolt 27 inch, at 2.2 Gamma, 6500 White Point and 140 Brightness (candelas) so if you are anywhere close to this it should look quite authentic. Also I use Google Chrome.
wayne seltzer wrote:
Amazing capture Mark! Being out in the field for 300 days surely paid off on this one. Pretty steady hands, handholding this one after getting indirectly hit by lightning. What a wild ride! Tripod is carbon fiber right?
Thank you. Actually I have 2, but had my aluminum one at the time. This is a 60th of a second, so that helps. I quit shaking after about 5 minutes.
Klaus Priebe wrote:
Mark, You need to put this in the Arizona Highways photo contest. I project this one will be this years winner!
There is no word to describe this Simply unreal. thanks for showing.
If you believe in Bible and really religious, you may imagine Jesus is coming right through there!!!
