Lightning for C&C

[bigbadmike]

I'm at the beach right now and the 5th floor balcony/crazy storm last night was the first chance I've ever had to capture lightning.

10 sec exposure at f/11 (I think), ISO 200, used the railing as a makeshift tripod

Let me know what you guys think, what you would've done differently and how I can do better next time. In any case it was tons of fun, what an awesome subject... Thanks!

 

[Judobreaker]

It's a bit crooked so you might want to straighten that horizon.
Other than that I like it.

 

[Virtuosos]

Lightning is a joy to capture...I am suprised you were able to keep the exposure open so long though...It must be nice to shoot over the ocean! You could probablly crop out some of the dead space though

Since it says it's okay to edit your photo's, I figure I'll show ya what I mean. I am not saying this is a more 'correct' crop, just y opinion on it

Oh I also straightened the water out

 

[Judobreaker]

Hmm I don't know... I think I like the dead space.

 

[christian.rudman]

I agree with judo on the space, but I also do agree that the horizon needs straightening.

 

[Compaq]

I would keep the panoramic view, and agree that there is much dead space on the left in the O.

 

[bigbadmike]

Thank you all for the replies and kind words! I'm partial to the panoramic crop myself, gives it more of a horizon and you can see the light fade away from the strike in the clouds. I'll definitely straighten out the horizon eventually but no time right now to mess around with another post-process.

Also, for future reference does this type of shot belong here in nature or more in the landscape/cityscape section?

 

[Judobreaker]

I'd say this is nature enough.
Your subject clearly isn't the landscape itself.