Back to the Future II
(please click to see on black // canon 5d mark ii, canon 50mm 1.4, f/6.3, iso 200, 25 sec // buy print)
I wanted to do a Movie Title Wednesday, but since I released the new website/branding yesterday, this post got bumped until today. I’ve already used Back to the Future as a movie, so I believe this is the first time ever I’ve gone with a sequel!
Usually when there is lightning to photograph, I’m out and about in the early evening getting to where I need to be. But on Monday night, I didn’t leave the house until almost 9pm. We had chilled with friends for dinner and when I got home, I realized a pretty substantial outflow was marching northwest from southeast Arizona.
I expected to be shooting around the Tucson area, maybe south of it, but as I got near, the storms to the east were going nuts and everything south was dying. I ended up traveling along highway 77 through the town of Mammoth for the first time ever. And basically followed this storm all the way back north-northwest to Superior.
Ended up not getting home until after 2am. Was a fun night. Especially when you get a shot like this.
This is a single 25-second exposure. The route was pretty low on traffic, so the odds of snagging some light trails along with five bolts in one frame must have been crazy high.
I figured Back to the Future II worked here…the light trails being like fire trails, and the lightning strikes providing 1.21 gigawatts of awesomeness. Huge fan of those films. Although #2 is kind of the weaker one IMHO.
This is just sick. And I mean that in a good way.
Quick fact – although I’ve seen BTTF, I’ve never seen the second or the third one….
Oh, but your picture above is – (in the voice of the little neighbor kid watching Mr Incredible pickup and smash his car when his door doesn’t close) SOOO TOTALY AWESOME!!!
This is off the charts insane. One of my all time favorites from you, holy moly.
that is one sweet capture.. Love the composition and all the lovely light
1.21 Gigawatts! 1.21Gigawatts! Love the movies and all you need in this photo is the license plate and a smoke trail! Great photo! I was chasing that storm and got nothing but flashes all around me. Lightning was very close but hidden by rain.
Come on Mike. Please dont do this. Its not fair to the rest of us. This shot is insane.
What an amazingly beautiful shot! I watched a long storm for a few hours over a lake last night. You would have captured some impressive photographs of it I’m sure.
Dude, this is just killer! Outstanding work man.
Just phenomenal Mike! Awesome detail in the clouds and strikes, great tones and the light streaks are icing on the cake! Awesome!
Yeah, this is pretty sweet, I guess.
Dude! This shot is ridiculous! I love how the lightning lit up the mountains in the background. Also the car light trails make a great foreground. Nice job.
Wow dude! Great timing!