Tuesday, 2nd August 2011
Dead Horse Point Lightning Strike
by Steve Perry
This photo was taken at Dead Horse Point State Park during an intense afternoon of thunderstorms.
We had just been out scouting around for new location in nearby Arches National Park and had decided to come back to camp for a break when these thunderstorms really began to pop (late afternoon). By the time we arrived at the Dead Horse Point, I couldn’t get to the overlook fast enough. We scrambled down the sandstone to a spot that I had scouted out the day before and started shooting.
The conditions were tough – high winds were busting in from the canyon, we had the occasional light spray from the rain, and of course the lightening (which was actually a lot further away then it appears in the photo).
Although my son was just about screaming for me to leave (he was low and under a small recess), I kept at it until I had a shot with some lightning action. I must have shot 20 or 30 photos before this came together.
It’s funny, after I showed him the final shot he was glad we stuck around long enough to catch the lightning too.
Equipment: Nikon D3x, Nikon 24-70
Steve Perry
I'm just a guy in the backcountry with a camera trying to share what I see as best I can with others.
Website: www.backcountrygallery.com
Dead Horse Point Lightning Strike by Steve Perry was photo of the day on Tuesday, 2nd August 2011. It is tagged Canyons, Clouds, Lightning, Sky, Storms, Weather. You can leave a comment below.
35 Comments
Andrew Thomas
Wow! I don’t know what to say but, Wow!
Phil Quinton
Great job, great photo. You stayed with it until you got the shot. Nice blending of calm and storm, with beautiful colors adding to the sum of the whole.
Angie
I live about 3 hours north of this beautiful “point” in this beautiful state of Utah. I’ve seen this place a dozen times, but never have I seen such a beautiful photo like this. You did a splendid job, the colors are amazing. You definitely earned the glory today with your talents.
Lisa
Love it! Nicely done.
Ginger Sanders
Holy cow that is awesome!
John
Beautiful! I love lightning photography. Did you use any filters here? And how long were you keeping your shutter open for? As this looks like daylight hours it must not have been for very long.
Andrea
Great sky and great light and colours!
Bill Kenny
Truly beautiful image!
Ruben Vicente
Stunning shot, what a moment!
Coral
This is Brilliant. Blown away.
Shaz
An extraordinary photogragh, worthy of mounting in an exhibition. Congrats!
Wanda Krack
What a great shot! I’m glad you ‘stuck it out’ to get the bolt in your shot! Good colors in this one.
Bob Faw
Spectacular!
Helen Hart
I especially love the color of the water, it shows how much rain we’ve actually gotten. I live in a “rain mostly goes around us” spot south of there, haven’t gotten but a couple of inches spread over 2 weeks or so, but this year especially, every drop counts! Thanks for sharing this shot.
Roman Johnston
Talk about being at the right place AT the right time. Very well done Steve. Don’t you love it how Mother Nature makes you scramble to capture her?
Rajib Singha
Good shot!
J Waddell
Backcountrygallery, thank you SO much for getting this shot. My husband and I did a great road trip last year, finally making it to Moab. We found Dead Horse Point Park “by accident” and were stunned at the beauty of it all. I could have stayed there forever! DHHP runs a close second to my favorite place in our road trips. Number one is Signal Point (Grand Tetons). Thank you again for this picture!!! Take care and stay safe.
Russ Bishop
Great image Steve. I love the tone and definition as much as the lightning.
Laura Milholland
Marvelous image, Steve. Glad both you and your son stuck it out until you got this! Congratulations.
James R. Kyle
Totally – WoW….
Great shot there Jerry… I camped at Dead Horse a few months ago and got some great shots as well. “Chance Favors the Prepared Mind”…
)
Jo-annvanderburg
A great shot in a beautifu place, have been there and loved it ,colors are awesome.thank you.
Eva
Fantastic Shot. I wonder why it’s Dead Horse Point…??
Kimberly Gould
It was well worth it. Beautiful saturated colors and great composition of the lighting strike.
Deborah
Excellent capture!
I really enjoyed the galleries on your website as well.
Thanks for sharing and congratulations for POTD!
Tazmin
Love the colours and dramatic visual contrast!
Steve Perry
Thanks for the kind words everyone
Eva – I wondered the same thing when I was there. The reason it’s named Dead Horse Point isn’t pretty. My understanding is that they used to corral and trap wild horses on that butte at the “horseshoe” of the river. They picked the good ones and left the rest to die out there in the open.
Pauline Jones
This is a really good shot; the lightening makes it; well done!
Joyce
You have a beautiful eye. Your shots are amazing. Thank you for sharing. I was just in your website and found some fantastic screen savers. Thanks for sharing those as well. It makes for a much more pleasant work day
Samantha Jennings
I’d love to have this photo in my home. What beauty! thank you back country guy!
Philippe Sainte-Laudy
I can’t stop watching it!
Barbara
An awesome picture. The colors are so vibrant. I’d say it was a shot worth waiting for!
Juanita Ruffner
Super, Electrifying shot!
Aleksandr Matveev
great!
catterina
f a n t a s t i c a !
Michael Greene
Wow! This has to be one of the best shots I have ever seen. Absolutely incredible work!