Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by geewhy:
Congratulations on your Blue ribbon,
Well deserved..for the picture and for your bravery :)

Gordon

Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by L1:
Wow...score one for the newbies!!!! What a great shot. You are SO lucky you weren't electrocuted that night...guess nobody told you that DPC could be a health hazard, did they? :o) LOL

Congratulations!!!!

Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by insteps:
Congratulations! Well deserved first place.

Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by e301:
It doesn't actually seem to have been commented on, in a quick glance through, but it's the streetlight that makes this shot for me. The high-voltage lines (which would have been the title had it been my shot) are generally, and certainly in photographic terms, percieved as a bad thing - but here you also illustrate the use we make of that power. It has a message about the use we make of out technology - and not a straightforward message either, suiting a not-straightforward debate. Part of the crowning glory of our civilization, or is the world going to take its revenge? Very pleased to see such a challenging shot win this challenge. Don't suppose the visually spectacular nature of it hurt, either :-)

Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by Jovi:
Superb capture! Excellent!! Congrats on the ribbon!

Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by JudeLeo:
Wow, it really took you lotsa guts to actually go up close and personal with this mean baby! a truely deserved ribbon! ;)

Angry Sky
by BikeRacer

Comment by Brad:
Stunning Shot!

Congratulations by the way on the Blue Ribbon - it was well deserved.
The title was well composed and thought out too.

Bravo!

Unbridled versus Restrained
by BikeRacer

Comment by BikeRacer:
Wow! Thanks to everyone for the supportive and constructive comments! I'm really excited about the win, especially considering my Rusted score.

I'll admit to feeling a little guilty about the shot after getting all the "good for you, I know how difficult lightning shots are to capture" comments. Here's why:

You see, this was one horrific storm. I drove through it for roughly 40 miles and there were hundreds if not thousands of strikes during my drive. Lightning was hitting in front of me, to either side, behind me and above me, I honestly thought I might die that night.

Anyway, after what seemed like hours I managed to get out from under the storm. I pulled over in a rest stop and set up. At first I did it hand held, figuring it would be a cool effect. Those didn't look to great, so I set up the tripod.

Here's the guilt part: Of the 46 lightning shots I took that night (including the ones taken while driving) 22 came out with lightning. Of the 20 I took at that parking lot, 15 came out.

So, was I lucky? To come out alive, for sure! To get the shot that won? Definitely. But, I was luckiest to get to experience that storm and have the luxury of pointing my camera where ever I pleased and to know I would capture lightning in a bottle.

Here's one of my other shots from that night:


Thanks again,
Ara

Twice Daily
by BikeRacer

Comment by stormy:
I like the colouring

Twice Daily
by BikeRacer

Comment by j8xman:
great color and compostion. Made toothbrush solution more interesting to view