The city of Mataró, where the camp site is located is wedged between the sea and the mountains, like the whole region. This makes land fit for construction scarce, but also creates a special microclimate where the mountains so to speak keep the clouds from escaping, so they experience frequent thunderstorms.
Source: Google Earth
One of those hung over the mountains one night when we were having dinner at the “chiringuito”, a small beach bar/restaurant. Wonderful lightning. As soon as we got home I grabbed the camera and the tripod and went to a location where I could possibly, hopefully, finally, take some pics of lightning.
Since I had never done that nor informed myself on how to do it, I simply set the camera to 30 seconds and kept shooting, hoping that lightning would happen in that time.
And I got lucky.
©Giliell, all rights reserved
©Giliell, all rights reserved
©Giliell, all rights reserved
Only that while I was shooting the rain arrived and I was stranded a few 100 metres away from the caravan with the camera in the pouring rain. Since walking back was no option I decided to retreat under a tree and hold my skimpy summer dress taunt over the camera so it wouldn’t get wet. I just hope nobody took pics of the fat lady in her undies holding her dress over the camera.
My one moment of personal photography glory: getting lightning on camera. I even had the photo printed, the first one I ever got.
The middle one is a bit creepy, like something pale and thready is reaching for you, but I love the fading effect of the last: dragon was here. And with a swish of its tail, departs this dimension.
Oh, wonderful! I love lightning photos. I hope the camera was OK! Your story will remind me to bring a plastic bag or something next time I go out with the camera, just in case…
Great photos! It must have been exciting. I suck at night photography so I seldom take my camera with me after dark.
As for the lady using her dress to shield her camera, I’d say you had your priorities straight.
Wonderful captures. Also, it’s educational to see how twisty is the way to the ground for the lightning.