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WWII Strike [Washington DC Pictures]

© Chris Budny
Deluxe Website: chrisbudny.com

WWII Strike

Uploaded: August 28, 2011 04:32:10

Description

A total rework from RAW of a favorite "lucky" shot. I was shooting on the National Mall with Sue Rosin, and we knew a storm was approaching soon. We were
at the WWII Memorial (shown) around 9pm; I wanted a motion-blur fountain capture. I set up the tripod & camera for a very long exposure, and halfway
through it, this MASSIVE lightning strike hit with no warning, seemingly yards away. (I'm sure it was farther than it looked.) I yelled out loud,
partly in fear, partly knowing I'd captured it, and then had to wait out the exposure, before I could see how it turned out. This rework fixes many things
in the original, particularly noise, and color cast. A new crop and larger BP image size, and some other editing steps I didn't know about last time.
08-11 2nd Place, T&P

Exif: F Number: 16, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 30/1 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 22.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi

Comments

Joy Rector August 28, 2011

awesome #1404466

Martin Cregg August 28, 2011

Outstanding photo, Chris. #9638243

Melinda F. Schneider level-classic August 28, 2011

Lucky, yes, but also skilled and very outstanding in every way!! #9638250

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe August 28, 2011 1

Amazing - Outstanding every way!! #9638277

Linda D. Lester level-classic August 28, 2011

Winner!!!!!! #9638282

Anita Hogue August 28, 2011

WOW, this is gorgeous! #9638305

Katarina Mansson August 28, 2011

Spectacular and beautiful work...as powerful as the natural forces displayed! Looks like a new winner to me... #9638553

David M. Montero August 28, 2011

Great capture of this magnificent memorial. Electrifying Christopher. #9638983

Lindley Johnson level-classic August 28, 2011

Amazing, Chris!! Fabulous timing, composition, and processing. #9639463

Chris Budny level-deluxe August 29, 2011

Thank you all very much for the kind words; I'm very pleased with this reworked version! #9639923

Ann Varley level-classic August 29, 2011

This is truly spectacular Christopher!
I'll be in Washington DC in October, hoping to shoot in the same area. I'm sure I wont have THIS kind of luck though. WOW!
#9640666

Chris Budny level-deluxe August 29, 2011

Thanks, Ann! Look me up when you get here; perhaps we can go out shooting together---I enjoy meeting fellow BPer's! #9640829

Susan Fox August 29, 2011

What can I say, it's perfection! #9640865

Chris Budny level-deluxe August 29, 2011

Thanks, Susan! #9641171

Judy V. Kennamer level-classic September 25, 2011

Congrats on your beautiful Finalist Chris!!! Great job!! #9690503

Thomas E. Hinds September 25, 2011

Just perfect, Chris! Wonderful and deserving Finalist! #9690578

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 25, 2011

Congratulations on your finalist, Chris. Good luck in the next round. #9690740

Nikki McDonald level-classic September 25, 2011

A wonderful rework and stunning entry. It's on its way. Congratulations on the Finalist and best of luck in the next round. #9690983

Tammy Espino September 25, 2011

Congrats on your awesome finalist!! :) #9691006

September 25, 2011

Very dramatic! #9691197

Gail Vitikacs level-classic September 25, 2011

Way to go Chris!!!! Love this! Congrats!
#9691350

Ann Varley level-classic September 25, 2011

Was there ever any doubt? Congratulations Chris! #9691859

Datha Y. Thompson September 25, 2011

AWESOME!!! Congratulations Chris!! WTG :) #9692087

Michele Peterson level-classic September 25, 2011

Fantastic, Chris! Glad to see this get a finalist!! #9692223

Agnes Fegan level-deluxe September 25, 2011

Congratulations Chris! #9692430

Lindley Johnson level-classic September 25, 2011

I love this dramatic image, Chris! Congratulations on your fantastic finalist. #9692877

Patti Coblentz September 25, 2011

Amazing, Chris...congratulations! #9693187

Bojan Bencic level-classic September 25, 2011

Congratulations on your beautiful finalist, Christopher. #9693353

Naomi Weiser September 26, 2011

wow, great capture, congrats #9693784

Naomi Weiser September 26, 2011

congrats, what a unique capture #9693802

Linda Blair September 26, 2011

Totally awesome Chris...congratulations...I'm sure we'll see this one again!! #9694657

Cathy Barrows September 26, 2011

Congrats on your finalist...simply awesome #9695023

JO ANN CLEVELAND September 26, 2011


Congratulations on thise awesome finalist Chris!

jo ann c. #9695511

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 26, 2011

Thanks so much, folks (and the BP Judges!) for the kind words! This has long been a favorite image; the fresh rework I did was way overdue, given the things I see as flaws today, in the original version. I like it so much better than before! #9695587

Joannie Bertucci level-classic September 26, 2011

Congrats Chris on this stunning finalist...I smell gold! :-) #9696759

Donna La Mattino Pagakis September 26, 2011

This is so cool Chris, a beautiful finalist, congratulations! #9696849

Debra R. Harder September 26, 2011

WOWZA...this is absolutely SUPERB, Chris! Huge congratulations on your OUTSTANDING finalist! Deb #9696919

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 26, 2011

Thank you very much, ladies! #9697578

Ellen Hodges September 26, 2011

Huge congrats on a super fab finalist, Chris!!! Very best luck with this outstanding image!!! #9697914

Patti Coblentz September 26, 2011

Congratulations on your amazing win, Chris!! #9698350

Ujjwal Mukherjee September 26, 2011

HUGE congratulations on your excellent Winner,Chris!! #9698421

Katarina Mansson September 26, 2011

WTG Chris - congratulations on this superb winner! #9698475

Renee Doyle September 27, 2011

I don't blame you for yelling out .... how awesome is this!!!! BIG congrats to you Chris on this excellent capture and deserving WINNER!! #9698729

Ellen Hodges September 27, 2011

Huge congrats on your awesome win, Chris!!! Yeah!! #9698996

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic September 27, 2011

Wonderful shot, Chris! Big congrats! Resubmits do pay off sometimes, don't they? #9699118

Usman M. Bajwa level-classic September 27, 2011

Fabulous exposure and lightening was the icing on the cake, Chris. HUGE CONGRATZ on the beautiful Gold Winner, WTG!!!

UB. #9699119

Ann Varley level-classic September 27, 2011

Awesome GOLD !! WTG !! #9699257

Dayna Cain level-classic September 27, 2011

A truly amazing image Chris. Congrats! #9699335

Thomas E. Hinds September 27, 2011

A well deserved Winner! Congratulations, Chris! #9699372

R. J. Laudenbacher level-classic September 27, 2011

I knew when you showed me this in DC, Chris it had winner written all over it. Truly an amazing shot! Congratulations to you on this so deserved win! #9699417

Tammy Espino September 27, 2011

Congrats on your win :) #9699539

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 27, 2011

Thank you all very much! I'm thrilled this "made it" as I like it so much better than my first attempt awhile back! #9699571

Linda D. Lester level-classic September 27, 2011

Congratulations on your awesome win!!! #9699595

Terry Cervi level-deluxe September 27, 2011

I remember you showing this to me too when in DC and thought it was an amazing shot, Chris! Congratulations on a well deserved win!! #9699602

Judy V. Kennamer level-classic September 27, 2011

Congrats on your gorgeous WINNER Chris!!! Amazing capture!!!!! #9699645

Anna Diederich September 27, 2011

Congratulations! This is just stunning! #9699962

Monnie Ryan September 27, 2011

This one just HAD to be a winner, Chris - big congratulations! #9699995

Julianne Bradford September 27, 2011

Wow Chris..what a double thrill! Great capture and deserving win! Congratulations! #9700115

Debra R. Harder September 27, 2011

Absolutely BRILLIANT, Chris! Huge congratulations on your OUTSTANDING GOLD WINNER! Deb #9700173

Bojan Bencic level-classic September 27, 2011

Congratulations, Christopher! #9700283

Karen Celella September 27, 2011

Congratulations on your amazing winner, Christopher! #9700359

Susan Fox September 27, 2011

Congratulations on your winning photo #9700535

Mitch Spence level-classic September 27, 2011

Lighting strikes twice and twice makes perfect. Congratulations on the gold, Chris. #9700662

Joannie Bertucci level-classic September 27, 2011

I told you I smelt gold! :-) Congratulations Chris! #9700717

Leslie McLain level-classic September 27, 2011

No surprise. Congrats on an amazing winner, Chris. #9700736

Karen E. Baumann September 27, 2011

Timing is a wonderful reward to images Chris and you got this timed just right! Congratulations on your Gold! #9700744

Richard B. Hallick September 27, 2011

Congratulations on this awesome capture, and the gold medal! #9701017

Tamara K. Walker level-classic September 27, 2011

Magnificent capture, congratulations! #9701420

Michele Peterson level-classic September 27, 2011

I ditto what Mitch said! Congratulations on "another" win for this fabulous image. It needs to be in a magazine somewhere, it's amazing!! #9701428

Ken Smith level-classic September 27, 2011

It's all in the crop! :-) Congrats, Chris...definitely deserving of the gold! #9701456

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 27, 2011

Thank you all very much for the kind words! #9701517

Donna La Mattino Pagakis September 28, 2011

I am so pleased to see this in the winner's circle Chris. Congratulations, just incredible!!!! #9702020

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 28, 2011

Thanks, Donna! #9702334

Dominick M. Dimacale level-addict September 28, 2011

Congratulations Christopher on your Win!!!


Dominick #9702511

Mary Beth Aiello level-classic September 28, 2011

So glad you waited for this Chris. Huge congrats on this beauty. #9702903

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 28, 2011

Thanks so much, Dominick & Mary Beth! #9703928

Cesar J. La Rosa September 29, 2011

Congratulations on this well-deserved Winner, Chris!!! It is a BEAUTIFUL photograph!!!
Cesar #9705013

Lindley Johnson level-classic September 29, 2011

Definitely one of my favorite winners of the month, Chris. So dramatic and well done. Big congratulations! #9705025

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 29, 2011

Thank you both, Cesar & Lindley! #9705422

David M. Montero September 30, 2011

Congratulations on your second place selection of this striking image Christopher! #9707070

Chris Budny level-deluxe September 30, 2011

Dunno if you intended a pun, but I got a chuckle---thanks so much, Dave! #9707244

Mick Burkey October 02, 2011

Fantastic capture, Chris! Timing, eh!? Love the lighting. Congratulations on a well deserved winner!! #9711334

Merna L. Nobile October 02, 2011


Congratulations!
You’re the kind of person who makes the world a better, brighter place…You worked hard for this, you made it happen, and you have a right to be proud. So enjoy these satisfying moments; you deserve every one! Merna
#9711337

Phyllis H. Burchett October 02, 2011

BIG congratulations Chris on this awesome winner! #9712135

Chris Budny level-deluxe October 02, 2011

Thanks so much, folks...! #9712174

Rona L. Schwarz October 03, 2011

WOW, Chris! Very scary, but so very worth it! Really awesome capture! Sorry I'm so late, but HUGE CONGRATS on this most marvelous winner! #9714686

Chris Budny level-deluxe October 04, 2011

Thank you, Rona! #9715675

Amanda D. Austwick level-classic October 15, 2011

WOW Chris, what a great lightning catch to top off a great image! CONGRATULATIONS on this well deserved Gold Winner! #9737251

Chris Budny level-deluxe October 15, 2011

Thank you very much, Amanda! #9737529

Laura E. Swan level-classic May 09, 2012

Holy Doodle, Chris! WOW! Talk about a STRIKING image! This is so totally awesome. Isn't it true that as we learn and grow we can take an already cool photo and raise it up to a whole new level? Well, now you have seen it go gold with your new skills. I just did this yesterday. (Took an older image and reworked it). What a difference. It went Finalist last time around but maybe she will hit Gold this time! (The Lady of the Forest).

On Your More Than Deserving Gold Win, Chris!

-Laura :D

P.S. Nice to see you again. It's been a while! :D #10131641

Chris Budny level-deluxe May 10, 2012

Thanks, Laura! I do enjoy reworking some of my oldest favorites... We're always (hopefully!) continuously learning new skills, so why not revisit some older "worthy" images and see if they'd be improved---I think this was a perfect example. (Though pleasantly, the first version, which I now see as inferior) also managed 2nd Place, awhile back!) #10132401

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