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Danger on the Horizon
Danger on the Horizon
PapaBob


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Best of 2008 (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Nikon D50
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G
Location: Parker, CO
Date: Aug 24, 2008
Galleries: Sky, Nature
Date Uploaded: Jan 14, 2009

Although I think I have some images that came out technically much nicer this one was hands down my best capture of the year. This image was really tough to process with the brightness in the lower right hand corner and way to much noise because the original exposures were way off but I still think it is a pretty cool shot. In this edit I left the houses at the base of the shot to give it some perspective as to the size of the funnel cloud. The shot was taken from my back deck about 5 miles from the tornado so never really any danger as long as it stayed put which it did. Overall time on the ground was nearly 20 minutes so it was awesome to watch and thankfully it never did much damage.

[Jan. 20th, 2009 04:42:27 PM]

Very happy with the score, My best of 2008 is now going to be my highest rated photo, early on thought it had a chance to stay in the 7+'s but mid week voters hit it pretty hard. I know several people have seen some of my tornado shots and I really messed up not putting one in the free study so this was my second chance to use one of these shots.

Post challenge, 27th, woohoo! Thanks everyone for the comments and the high scores. I especially got a kick out of all the Wow and Awesomes!

Statistics
Place: 26 out of 531
Avg (all users): 6.7521
Avg (commenters): 7.8286
Avg (participants): 6.8973
Avg (non-participants): 6.2807
Views since voting: 3615
Views during voting: 528
Votes: 242
Comments: 69
Favorites: 41 (view)


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AuthorThread
10/01/2013 08:37:50 AM
I'm just now seeing this. Fantastic capture. Oddly enough, seeing a tornado is on my bucket list. One (an F1) went through my mom's yard a few years ago, so the closest I've come is seeing the damage left behind (thankfully just downed trees for mom.)

Message edited by author 2013-10-01 08:38:22.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/21/2011 11:54:35 PM
Oh my word! I don't know how this didn't score even higher! This is the most amazing thing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/22/2011 11:28:47 PM
Good night!!! Another comment that echos the underrated quality of this image. I'm not sure that I would want tornados in my country as I'm already obsessed with weather and to chase these would just be another obsession that would consume my life.

You did very well here and this should feature as a sighting of a lifetime. Congrats on getting it and taking the shot. You say you had to work the image a bit but I believe it rarely happens given conditions that everything works out the way you want. This is by no means a still life shot and this happens I can imagine fairly quickly. Yes it was maybe 20 minutes but. For this scene it was seconds. The houses in cram is crucial to this shot and does more to lift the image than just for scale and perspective

Once again.. Great terrific shot from me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/02/2010 10:49:23 PM
Oh yes, this is awesome too. You are the only dpc member took real tornado photo. My tornado is an abstract.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2010 10:19:26 AM
This photo was soooo much underrated in my opinion..... Should've been on the top 5. Great catch and tones......
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/24/2010 06:31:41 PM
I can't believe voters didn't give give this at least a 7. How many times do people see an entire funnel from this vantage point. I'll. I may never understand fully what a perfect dpc shot is.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/05/2010 05:36:22 PM
I really think you should push this image out to some media outlets - its such a powerful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/09/2009 08:44:41 AM
Holy cow this thing was huge! You captured it very well even though you had to work to make it better. I can't believe how damn big it is. Have you submitted this to some nature or weather magazine or website? Even National Geographic or the Discovery Channel. I've never seen such a well formed funnel cloud with this much detail.

That's got to be scary to witness, even at 5 miles away.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2009 12:29:07 PM
Incredible shot! I have few reoccurring dreams and one of them is watching a tornado from a safe distance and photographing it! This is like watching my dream come to life :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2009 11:34:02 AM
oohh so cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/05/2009 10:40:47 PM
I absolutely love this photo. Simply amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/21/2009 09:06:31 AM
damn. I wish I could have been there to see it... great capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/28/2009 03:42:14 PM
Where's Dorothy?!

PS -- Great shot!

Message edited by author 2009-01-28 15:43:20.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2009 07:48:09 PM
I just saw this unfortunately, what a spectacle and a truly great capture. As the rest say WOW !! and definitely underrated. Into my favs.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/26/2009 02:28:22 PM
I was shooting a football tournament in Castle Rock when this rolled though... crazy day. Amazing capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/25/2009 04:24:29 AM
One of those photos you wish you can see a larger version. Heck of a scene you captured.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 01:24:49 PM
Holy WOW! This is a fantastiche capture! You need to hang this on your wall. Very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 11:53:30 AM
wow....this is freakin' crazy! great catch!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 10:09:18 AM
Wow, thanks for all the post challenge comments, this was the image I knew this was the one shot I took last year that would have the most impact but it easily exceeded my expectations. Glad so many people enjoyed it! I especially liked all the Wows, Awesomes and Amazings in the comments. Thanks again!

Message edited by author 2009-01-23 10:44:25.
01/23/2009 09:44:49 AM
How this did not win is a mystery to me. It litterally blew the competition away.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 08:27:23 AM
I was really hoping this would make top 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 08:02:27 AM
OMG that's underated!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 04:33:44 AM
Oh this is BRILLIANT!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 04:24:51 AM
dude you were robbed! this blows all ribbons and top tens in this challenge away (pun intended)!
still no user name change...;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 03:43:26 AM
WOW - What a capture! Congrats on a very solid finish, Bob.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 01:22:28 AM
what no ribbon!!!! not fair!!! but thats dpchallenge for ya!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 12:59:18 AM
I'll give you another "awesome" for your collection. :) Undeniably awesome.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 12:56:59 AM
Shoulda been on the front page and I'm no storm chaser
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 12:24:05 AM
There ya go Bob...nice score..nice finish...I knew this would do well..congratulations... I'm glad you saved this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2009 12:17:46 AM
Nice placing and score, but how did this not ribbon? :) I just can't understand it! It's a great photo in so many ways. Congratulations on your personal best!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/22/2009 09:19:45 PM
This is truly awesome! Not only is it a capture of natures most awesome force but a beautiful image and composition. I hope it ribbons! It's something special.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2009 09:08:54 PM
wow. crazy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2009 08:24:07 PM
Best still of a tornado that I have ever seen. My vote for Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2009 06:39:49 PM
Amazing catch, combining photojournalism and artistry. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2009 05:14:03 PM
I see a ribbon on your horizon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2009 01:20:32 AM
wicked image, your heart must have been racing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2009 10:03:11 PM
What a capture! This could be a pic of a lifetime!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2009 12:39:25 PM
Incredible shot of a twister.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2009 11:39:57 PM
Holy s***!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2009 05:06:12 PM
That's terrifying. Hope you weren't in any danger. That aside, this is a great capture, and it's framed perfectly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2009 12:36:59 PM
Truly a best of shot... absolutely amazing, hope to see this one do well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2009 07:44:53 AM
Awesome
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2009 09:59:35 PM
Wow, what a capture! Scariest think I ever saw...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2009 09:51:27 PM
WOW! (cant type any bigger) This is an AMAZING capture! I like the colors, and comp is great. Very Interesting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2009 02:56:05 PM
Wow! Very neat shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2009 10:35:16 AM
wow, great capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2009 07:39:13 PM
Awesome capture. Had this at a 9 and bumped to a 10. This is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2009 10:27:46 AM
WOW, crisp and clean, brilliant DOF, leading lines compliment this very well , vibrant muted colours add drama to this shot, nice job well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/18/2009 10:03:48 AM
Fantastic! 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2009 08:32:53 PM
Wow! That is amazing! A storm chaser's dream. Photographed to perfection! Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2009 06:32:41 PM
WOW! That's an amazing capture, stunning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2009 04:27:40 PM
wow..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2009 09:18:04 AM
wow...what an amazing shot...hope it was a very long lens
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2009 06:31:57 AM
7 - Once in a lifetime shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/17/2009 04:22:48 AM
amazing, and scary, I hope everyone managed to escape in time!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 06:32:39 PM
Amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 05:41:11 PM
Wow, that's a great capture! I've always wanted to have the opportunity to witness one (and live to tell about it of course!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 05:14:06 PM
A tad over HDRd. You nutcase....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 04:38:56 PM
Awesome capture of one of nature's most awesome events
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 03:04:37 PM
Wow
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 02:13:22 PM
Amazing capture! Expect to see this in the top20 for sure. The shape of the spout is just amazing. Though it doesn't look like a full blown tornado? Hope everyone was safe down there. (no vote)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 01:50:20 PM
wow. this is bad ass. I think I would have been too scard to take this photo. I love the impending doom presented by the small houses. Terrible, but thats what really makes this photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 12:38:31 PM
wow, what a capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 12:27:13 PM
woah, good catch
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 11:06:17 AM
Gosh, that really is amazing :O
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 10:49:22 AM
this has to be papa "lucky bastard" bob's entry if i remember correctly. ;)
one of the most amazing tornado shots i've ever seen!
one of *my* ribbon's. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 09:21:16 AM
Whoa!!!!! Splendid capture!! Extra points for rarity! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 01:18:12 AM
now this is not fair...we don't have twisters where I come from. Fantastic image, I only hope now that it makes the front page.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/16/2009 12:46:48 AM
Wow! That is a scary shot. Very cool photo. -BB
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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