Shooting In The Dark Assignment Winner Dustin Penman

Wild Wild Night by Dustin Penman

Congratulations to Dustin Penman for winning the Shooting In The Dark Assignment.This photo was the Photo Of The Day on May 28th.

“On July 22 of last year, I was awaken by my buddy calling “We got lighting” and I was off like a flash! (pun intended). At 3am I was still out and I was amazed by the constant lighting, the fast moving storm clouds and the fact the stars that were visible through it all, this just blew my mind. I knew I wanted to also incorporate a strong foreground in the image so I went looking for an oak tree that would fit the bill. At a local park I found this scene.

“I knew I wanted to capture just how crazy of an night it was. I figured that 6, 2-minute exposures would allow enough time to capture the lighting and show a small amount of star travel, as well as the quick moving clouds. The grass near the tree was being lit by a street lamp hidden behind the tree. I then did a little light painting of the tree with my flashlight on the last exposure. I then stacked the images in PS6 and found this beauty. I have been waiting for another electrical storm since…”

You can see more of Dustin Penman’s photography at his website: www.wallcandyimages.com

Originally Published May 31, 2013