Slow Burst

A couple of weeks ago I went to Horseshoe Bend on Beaver Lake for sunset and then hung around afterwards to try some night photography. The cloud cover in the west was faintly illuminated by the lights of Rogers and by a hidden crescent moon, and an easterly breeze was sending it drifting slowly in my direction.

This was an eight-minute exposure at ISO 400.

Here is a larger version.

It's amazing what happens in eight minutes. It looks like that was the perfect amount of time to keep the clouds clean and sharp, yet giving it the nice motion. Very nice! Nice color on the water too!

Love it! It's like being in a dream. Very well done Randy!

very cool

Nice image, well done.

Nice Randy. The lights really make this image, I don't think it would have near the impact without it.

Very interesting graphically, and I like the colors. "Long nighttime exposures of clouds" sounds like a fun venture. Thanks for sharing Randy, and Happy New Year.

The softness of the clouds and water make quite a nice visual impact. Really well-done, Randy.

Have you noticed the big catalpa (I think) tree that used to shade the campsite just around the corner from here (next to the water) is gone? It was one of the few trees that the ice storm spared last year. I don't understand why it was cut down.

Wow what a great shot! I'm going to have to try something like this someday, thanks for sharing it!

Wow is right! That's what I said when I opened this post! Beautiful scene Randy. I really like it.

Bill, no, I hadn't noticed either the catalpa tree or that it was gone. I may have taken some photos last January somewhere close to where you're talking about, but other than that, I don't think I've been over that way much, if I understand where it is you're talking about. It's a shame if it was cut down needlessly.

And thanks, everyone, for your comments. It was fun hanging around the park in the dark and discovering the stuff that came out of the camera after two or four or eight minute exposures. I'm sure there's a lot of potential for good images in the approach, and I look forward to trying it again and to seeing how others combine it with their own vision.

It just turned midnight a bit ago. So happy 2010 (that's twenty-ten), everyone!

Guess it's kind of a moot issue now, but, from where you took your photograph, if you follow the curve in the road on around to the left about 100 yards or so, the tree proudly stood just below the second campsite on the right, next to the water. In remembrance, I thought you might like to see a photograph of the tree after last year's ice storm. Looked pretty healthy to me...91 years old, give or take a few growth rings.

Well, I guess I know exactly what tree you're talking about now, and it's a shame she's gone. Even without her leaves, she was a grand lady. This was also taken after last January's ice storm, which I hope never to see the likes of again.

Great shot with great light, Randy.