Light Arch
At last! We’ve had four brilliant storms through here in the last few weeks and I’ve missed each of them. Man these have been tricky buggers – short, very violent, straight overhead – and I’ve miss-timed them each time. The problem has been go out too early and the gear gets soaked and you can’t photograph anyway because of the rain. Leave it a few minutes tool late and that’s it – show’s over folks.
Three times I’ve gone tearing out as the rain eases off with huge, spectacular bolts going off all around and then when I get the tripod out EACH TIME (I kid you not) the moment the camera has gone on the tripod that’s it – the bolts stop dead. I have been teased mercilessly! But this time – gotcha!
This is a single exposure. Two bolts on either side and one overhead – doorway or what!!
And to get an idea of the scale of these bolts those lights off to the left are perched on top of 100m cliffs. And the reddish clouds on the left are reflecting the light from Sydney which is just out of shot.
Taken on the track to Bundeena Cliffs, Royal National Park, Sydney Australia
Canon 1Ds MkIII
Tv: 30secs
Av: f/5.0
ISO: 200
FL: 45mm
Light Arch belongs to the following groups:
!* Dark Cabaret *!, 1 In The Beginning - Ancient Practices, A New Aesthetic.... Divine and Otherwise , All About Water, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Canon DSLR (One Image Per Day & A Canon Camera Must Be In The Description Before It's Accepted), Eerie Lighting, Extreme Weather , Fine Art of Landscape Photography, Hard Science Rocks, In the Eyes of Danger, Landscape Photography, Lightning and Storms, New South Wales Photography, Night Photography, Practising the Dark Arts, SEA, Skyscapes, Spiritual Art, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!, Sydney, the love of Eerie and enchanting artwork, The Shire (Sutherland Shire, NSW, Australia), Timelapse/Long Exposure Photography and Your Magic PLACE (only a place!) Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Michael Bermi...
Bloody Norah!!!!
Sensational!
Michael Bermi...
The one over the top looks like a cable supplying the power!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Michael – so glad the lightning master likes this one. I couldn’t believe it when these went off soon after I started shooting.
John Vandeven
Wow Awesome capture….You have done really well getting this shot.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks John – very much appreciated.
Juilee Pryor
wow that is spectacular Geoff….. amazing
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Juilee – it was quite a spectacle.
Stuart Chapman
Incredibly captured Geoff (as always) – we’ve had a couple in the past 2 nights but they’ve disappeared within minutes.
Love that band of lighting across the top which gives the impression that the lightnings all one circle
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Stuart – I couldn’t believe it when this happened – looks like a lightning doorway to me. Yes they are speedy at the moment – completely different to the previous storms I’ve photographed.
igotmeacanon
god i want to get a shot like this…stunning work mate
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you – can’t wait to see it when you do.
Raquel Bourne
Awesome!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly.
Barnesy
Awesome Geoff…...the one night i dont have my gear with me there is a spectacular storm just off shore…oh well…yet another great photograph from you….well done…..:)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks mate – it is incredibly frustrating when that happens.
Lorraine Creagh
Fantastic….not an easy shot to get. So well done.
Geoff Coleman... replied
It sure wasn’t let me tell you lol. Thanks Lorraine.
Robert Mullner
Just superb Geoff…in every way..awesome capture..
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta mate – so glad you like it.
Martin Rowe
This is a truly amazing photo. Your perseverance has rewarded you.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Martins – if at first you don’t succeed, or second, or third, or fourth …. lol.
Travis Easton
Whoa, just whoa, OK bloody big whoa…. whoa
Geoff Coleman... replied
Love it Travis – thanks a lot mate.
DragonFlyer
WOW!!!!! Amazing capture!!!! It sure finally paid off in the end – in a BIG way :)))
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comment – I’m glad you think so.
Goggo
Whoah….what a capture. Awe inspiring. Captivating. Sensational. How on earth?? These sort of shots don’t grow on trees, if you know what I mean. Goes straight to favs. Got to be happy with that one!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Definitely am – thanks so much for your lovely comment – it meant a great deal to me.
Michael Walters
Cracking shot!! :) Yo really caught such a great show, brilliant! you are the master!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta mate (blushes)
smallfox
Brilliant! Wow, what an amazing shot to capture. Your work sure paid off here. There is nothing to state but the obvious – a fantastic shot.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you for your kind words – very much appreciated.
Pamela Inverarity
Amazing! Fantastic capture!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you kindly.
Andrew Bosman
Very speccie Geoff. Is this “our” storm?
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks mate – yep – same one you brilliantly shot.
peter
I wanted to favourite this twice – what an extraordinary image!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ah you sweet thing – thanks heaps Peter.
Jeremy Jones
Bloody Fantastic Capture Bro!! The Depth of the clouds are just brilliant!!
Keep up the good work!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Jeremy – it’s taken a while to sort out the exposures but am getting there.
Alice Oates
Incredible capture, stunning work!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Alice.
Helene Kippert
Woah totally amazing geoff!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly Helene
antonio
Wooow fantastic work…..just on time.
Geoff Coleman... replied
- this time yes lol – thank you.
Paul McGuire
Fan – Ruddy – Tastic! Superb work.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Paul.
Jim Robertson
Really nice Geoff
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta mate – glad you like it.
Andrew Bosman
At least some of us got some good material out of it then!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Yes, at last! I’ve got a couple more but this one was the standout.
Michael Bermi...
Certainly is a Magic capture Geoff.
kathy s gillen...
excellent shot
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly
alexkess
Symmetric Lightning. Well done.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Pretty unusual – lucked out with this one – thanks
lizalady
Ooooh My Gosh! ! ! ! ! Brilliant Work.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comment
Matt Penfold
This is really spectacular Geoff, in fact the word “awesome” is totally appropriate in this case :-()
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Matt – glad you think so
simonesphotos
Wow Geoff, this is a signature work of supremacy from you mate. No one does night shots/lightning like you and this is a superb example of your skill and love for your work. Glad you managed to time at least one of the storms to capture this. Just briliiant! Hope you had a good Easter :)
Geoff Coleman... replied
What a brilliant comment – thanks heaps for this Simone. Hope you are getting well too.
Cathy Beharriell
Beautiful Shot!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly.
Antonia Newall
Awesome Geoff!!! I hope one day to get a special shot like this.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – look forward to seeing what you get.
Cheri Bouvier
Absolutely wonderful!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you.
BettinaSchwarz
wooohooo!!! Incredible!!
hat off to you in utter respect! :) Nice work!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Glad you like it – thanks for your lovely comment.
LoneAngel
simply awesome shot
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks a lot.
Lozzle
just….stunning. but then, with you it always is..
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ah you sweet thang – what a lovely comment!
Dave & Trena P...
beautifully captured!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly.
mstrace
As you might imagine, I’m a sucker for the dark and deadly. And this storm is that and more. You captured sideways lightning!! This photo is simply mesmerizing. I could stare at it for hours. Violent electric storms are the best. Living in California I see them…oh NEVER (the rare thunderstorm only). But I’ve been caught in a few of them while traveling. They are always breathtaking, as is this photo.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Well thank you my brilliant authoress – always love to hear from you. Yes I must admit to an almost kamikaze addiction to storms and we do get some beauties here so am very fortunate.
Daniel J. McCa...
Gorgeous! Fantastic details! Superb capture, Geoff!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Daniel.
Heather Rivet...
outstanding..they are so dang hard to catch..amazing job
Geoff Coleman... replied
Yes these last ones have been very uncooperative! Thank you.
Erhan OZBIYIK
Perfect shot, perfect scene !!!
As always ;)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Lovely comment – thanks Erhan.
solareclips~Ju...
FABULOUS capture!!! Looks like your work finally paid off! These are so clear and sharp, really well done!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely feedback – very much appreciated.
Donna Vanderspek
Fab shot… well done. this is definitely doing in Favourites
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Donna – glad you like it.
Judi Corrigan
Absolutely magnificent !!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks.
Evita
Fabulous capture !!! ;D
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks a lotl
Rachel Counts
Great capture!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly.
elisab
Your lightning shots amaze me. Some people pray for the storms to pass. You must pray for them to stay.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Hehe – absolutely! I chase them and keep yelling at them “Don’t leave me” but they do!! Fickle thy name is storm. Thanks for your lovely comment.
LeighN
Spectacular image! Welcome to The Shire Group!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Leigh – great idea for a group – you are going to be seeing a lot of me lol.
Alexander Butler
Truely an amazing capture,
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you kindly.
Marguerite Foxon
Fantastic capture – Ive never seen anything like it with the one across the top …. I just cant imagine trekking out on that track to the cliffs at night in pouring rain and then the show stops just as you are set up!! Good on you for perseverence.
Geoff Coleman... replied
hehe – well you are one of the few people who would actually know what is entailed – it does get hellishly muddy and slippery on the way out. Thanks mate.
Arek Rainczuk
Wow, That’s a great capture
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you.
Dennis Jones -...
Love the bolt tying the two together…
Nice capture
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Dennis – yes that was somewhat serendipitous.
renifer
WOW!!!!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta.
Andrew Murrell
Another brilliant lightning image.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Andrew – glad you like it.
LeighN
Once again, stunning image!
Feature in The Shire groupGeoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for the feature.
PhotosByG
Congratulations! Your photo has been featured in “Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!”
This photo was chosen because it was of a very high quality and it captured exactly the sort of work we are looking for in this group.
Please keep up the great work and we hope you continue to add more of your excellent photographs to our group.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for the feature.
Revive The Lig...
Awesome photograph! I like how the lightning is connected with one another. I hope one day I can capture a lightning photograph as remarkable as yours.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comment – very much appreciated.
cathrinedp
blown away. You are SO good at capturing images that lasts such a short moment. Love it Geoff
Geoff Coleman... replied
Well hello – thanks for visiting and your lovely comment – much appreciated.
Garth Smith
You do these so well Geoff. brilliant yet again.
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Garth – glad you think so.
gabbielizzie
WOW that’s a great shot,awesome really!!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – glad you like it.
Rhana Griffin
sigh…...
You guys really do get the best storms. We had a storm go through the following morning after yours at about 6am. It was a beauty alright. Thunder, lightening…. plus bucketloads of rain and howling winds that destroyed quite a few houses, uprooted trees, knocked down powerlines and spread sheds over hillsides.
sigh…..
I have nothing but envy for this Geoff… You bloody lucky bugger :)))
Geoff Coleman... replied
Well they’re nothing compared to what they get up north – I’d love to live in the Top End for a while and get some of their monsoon storms. But who’s complaining!! I get these on my doorstep! Sounds like you got one on yours as well – no photos of it doing its thing? Thanks for your as ever lovely comments Ms Muffin.
Elizarose
That is simply amazing. fantastic shot there!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – much appreciated.
Stephen Thomas
Awesome Photo!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Ta muchly.
Stephen Colquitt
You sure nailed this one! Congrats on all the wonderful praise and feedback on a truely fantastic image
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Stephen – people are very generous with thier comments.
sunsetgirl
wow! awesome capture!! that does seem hard,to do, to be able to catch it on time like that! nice!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thank you – yes it is quite a challenge, but then what that is worthwhile isn’t?
Rhana Griffin
I would have loved to get some photos Geoff but there were a number of factors conspiring against me.
1. It was 6am
2. It was blowing a gale
3. It was bucketing down with rain.
4. It was 6am
5. My tripod was at the other house
6. It was 6am
7. My bed was warm
:)
Geoff Coleman... replied
Wimp :-)
Rhana Griffin
Phhhhbbbbbbt!
Lawrence Norton
There amazing,
I work on thelive high voltage power line’s for a living, so can imagine the voltage in these. . .
You captured nature in it’s most raw state.
WELL DONE
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Lawrence – yeah I bet this little beauty could’ve lit up the whole city.
MattGranz
Lightning Becomes Art!!!! Fantastic Shot!!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Lovely comment – thanks Matt.
Matt White
Yer brilliant shot. Well done. Our storm season was pretty disapointing this year. Its great to see others posting great images
KcranmerArt
GASP 0__o
Sue Nueckel
Fantastic capture!!!
Kat36
Unbelievable, a lot of mucking about for you but worthwhile in the end.. A fave for me..
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thaks Kat – so glad you like it.
Jens Helmstedt
Great capture! Fantastic!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Jens – glad you like it.
ltruskett
Wonderful capture…..nothing like a good storm in and around Sydney…......stand out shot…....
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comment – yep we get some beauties here.
Stephanie Werden
Lucky bugger! I’ve been holding my breath hoping for a thunder storm to attempt a few shots like this. You’ve done a great job!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Yep – lucky indeed – some beautiful storms we get here. Good luck catching yours. Thanks
HelenaBrophy
Spectacular!
David Murphy
Great timing….........finally!!
Worth it though…......what an image!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks David – much appreciated.
In-This-Legacy
This is SO spectacular!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Samara – so glad you like it.
Geoff Carpenter
Incredible!!! Superb!!! What more can I say?
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Geoff – glad you like it.
Sharon Mau
Your page is a good read!! I love your story!
It is an astounding image, beautiful work Geoff!!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks so much Sharon – so glad you enjoyed it.
dennis wingard
wonderful shot I know it is not easy to get a good photo but do did well done
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks Dennis.
BigD
Excellent capture and well done with the camera settings.
viveca
Yes soo so wonderful ty for sharing~~
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks – glad you like it.
kimbob1
wow geoff,
(spectacular) ive tried taking some lighting shots in england ,
it not easy , geoff love this photo very very spectacular blown me away
bob
Geoff Coleman... replied
That’s a particularly lovely comment – thanks heaps.
Mikhail Zvonkov
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lena Prehn
good timing!!! it paid off! :)
Geoff Coleman... replied
A lot of luck for this one – thanks
Barb White
wonderful shot – I know your frustration in trying to get lightening shots. I sat out for two hours one night taking 30 second shutter speed shots over and over again and only got one little strike of lightening, though it’s pretty nice. It’s funny, every time I see an artist whose photos I really like, they are always from Australia! It’s so beautiful there!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks for your lovely comments Barb – very much appreciated. Yes we are very lucky here – the place is a paradise.
Shelley Warbrooke
Wow, stunning shot!
Geoff Coleman... replied
Thanks again.
pennyswork
Simply brilliant! A dream shot.
Phil Parkin 29 days ago
Fantastic!
vampvamp 18 days ago
i admire any one who can catch these, brilliant! :]