Phoenix Light Show

I went to South Mountain tonight just south of downtown Phoenix because I had intended on getting a shot looking north of the city skyline. I needed at least a 400mm focal length, and after a few month wait, my request to borrow the 400mm/2.8 from Canon was granted (I'm part of their CPS program). So I have this incredible bazooka for a week, and the day I have to return it won't be joyous. ANYWAY, After setting up the shot for the skyline, I look left to the west and this scene was sitting waiting to be photographed, lol. The whole sky wasn't lit up, it was quite a small section where the sun was setting. The 400mm Saturn V rocket was exactly what I needed to grab this. Two interesting things: while I took all levels of exposure, I didn't need to, this is a single shot, no HDR. Second thing, I didn't TOUCH the Saturation or Vibrance sliders, seriously! Contrast yes, but no saturation. This sky was crazy gorgeous tonight.

5D3, 400mm/2.8, f11, 1/400, ISO 640, and thank the Lord for incredible IS in this lens because my Manfrotto CF tripod was a shaky mess, it was really frustrating. I came home and ordered a Gitzo 3531 literally in the last hour before the $200 rebates ended. The IS on this 400mm lens is truly amazing, saved the shot.