One of my photography holy grails + lightning

[Discus-n00b]

Though not as good as I wanted, its pretty good for a first try. Its something I've always wanted to capture and finally got it. Also, had some storms off the coast one night and it gave us a good light show. The lightning was a bit far off so the bolts were not as impressive as I hoped they would be....but still cool.

One of my bucket list photos...and a holy grail for me. The Milky Way.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7693333906_c66debce22_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7693334170_2425a48b2e_b.jpg

Lightning. I was using a wide angle lens, so some photos might seem distorted in the beach area. In some you can see people with flashlights on the beach.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7693339170_57a20441c4_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7693338858_d673dcfa7c_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7693338606_8f38a16bdf_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7693338350_27eebd6b4a_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/7693338012_8df9c8cd0d_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7693337716_7ba755d721_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7693337114_52cdec280e_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7693336782_5911b04ea3_b.jpg

[Discus-n00b]

Couple more
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7693336466_a83ca3e978_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7693336164_d93c90ca37_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7693335856_30745d6467_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7693335202_fa2acb2a8e_b.jpg

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Matt you are the "Master" of photography.

The wide angle lens is also what I use outdoors for some great sunsets.

Your pictures are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Jeff

[Keith Perkins]

Very nice Matt. Some very soothing photographs in the group, which is just the ticket tonight.

[Lukan]

Hi Matt,

Great photography. You are a master behind those lenses.

Cheers

[Second Hand Pat]

Those lighting pictures over the ocean were just plain cool and love the milky way shots.

[lofty]

wow, one word, magnificent, i could look at photographs like this all day long, you must have the patience of a saint to sit and wait for something as special as these.

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks all. I'd love to try again, this time with darker skies and closer lightning.

[MaiaDee]

Have you considered using a longer exposure? I personally like the trail effect with the stars. Beautiful photos.

[dpete9]

Wow those are beautiful! I especially love the lightning over the beach pics. I would love to learn some photography skills myself.

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks. I like trails too, but only if going specifically for trails. For this one I was going strictly for the milky way. I think I like stacking pictures for star trails rather then a long exposure, that way the other parts of the scene don't get overexposed. Here is a star trails shot I did by stacking a while back.

This is 50 shots in one
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/startrails1.jpg

[DiscusDrew]

Can I buy that picture?....

[Trier20]

Great photos Matt! I did a couple of photography classes in college. Loved spending time in the dark room. Keep up the good work!

[zinfin]

Beautiful shots. Thanks for the tips on technique, too. Very helpful for all of us aspiring photogs out here. :)

[bonginator]

Can you explain stacking to us laymen? I think I know the concept but would love to hear your expert description of the process.

Perhaps you could start another thread with tips on photographing discus? Sound like you are great with a camera.

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks all. I'll dig out the technique once I get back next week. Leaving for drill now for the weekend. I also want to do a tutorial via youtube video on general fish/aquarium photography so thats coming too.

[Disgirl]

Matt, have you ever thought about getting hired by NatGeo as a magazine photographer? I think you are skilled for it!
Barb

[shoveltrash]

absolutely stunning Matt!!!!!

[zinfin]

I also want to do a tutorial via youtube video on general fish/aquarium photography so thats coming too.

That would be fantastic!

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks all. I'll dig out the technique once I get back next week. Leaving for drill now for the weekend. I also want to do a tutorial via youtube video on general fish/aquarium photography so thats coming too.

That would be awesome.

[a volar]

As always, very nice photography...

[laupao]

looking forward to the youtube tutorial, thanks Matt for sharing your photo experience

[Kal-El]

Amazing work... How long of exposure did you leave the shutter on to get those amazing shots?

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks all. Shutter was open for about 20-30 seconds sometimes a bit longer.

[DiscusDrew]

I still never got an answer... Me want picture (that's my caveman voice)... And not the "copy image and screw Matt" version of the picture lol.

[Discus-n00b]

Matt, have you ever thought about getting hired by NatGeo as a magazine photographer? I think you are skilled for it!
Barb

I have thought about it Barb. Would be an amazing job/experience. My dad had the chance to work for them a long time ago but decided to go another route, he wishes he had at least tried it now. Not to long ago a member here had one of his photos published in Natl Geo.


I still never got an answer... Me want picture (that's my caveman voice)... And not the "copy image and screw Matt" version of the picture lol.

Sorry, like a print? Which picture? What size print?

[DiscusDrew]

The attacking photo you pictured on the first page. You'll have to forgive me I don't know standard print sizes but if you pop me a pm about what sizes you can do and prices I would be incredibly interested Matt. That's a beautiful photo. I was thinking a little smaller than standard poster size, whatever that is lol.

[DiscusDrew]

Btw this is all part of my grand scheme to get you up to this part of the country to photograph my fish and fish room.... I'd pay a lot more for that than I would for a print! :) One day my friend, one day...

[brewmaster15]

Matt,
Pics look great as usual my friend. I'm hoping tp get some wild life pics in this week myself.:) Keep up that great work....theres some gems there to be sure!
-al

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks! Al, looking forward to seeing your wildlife pics.


Btw this is all part of my grand scheme to get you up to this part of the country to photograph my fish and fish room.... I'd pay a lot more for that than I would for a print! One day my friend, one day...

PM Sent, and that would be fun and I would love to do a whole tour of the US stopping at member's fishrooms I just can't see it being feasible anytime soon. However my girlfriend's hometown is about 4 hours from you across the border....so maybe one day when we go back to visit we can stop by or something. ;)

[Chicago Discus]

Thanks! Al, looking forward to seeing your wildlife pics.



PM Sent, and that would be fun and I would love to do a whole tour of the US stopping at member's fishrooms I just can't see it being feasible anytime soon. However my girlfriend's hometown is about 4 hours from you across the border....so maybe one day when we go back to visit we can stop by or something. ;)

Me first Matt you have some of the best photography skills I have seen in a while and says alot I live very close to the Art Institute of Chicago which has some great people working on cool stuff. You should enter some of your Photographs to the museum they always do an exhibit of talented Photographers