Took this photo on Sanibel Island, FL Aug 8th. I spent nearly an hour during a massive summer thunderstorm hiding from the lightning in a small mosquito filled public restroom inside of the Sanibel Lighthouse grounds waiting for this potential moment. Drenched and eaten alive, I snuck out and put my Nikon D500 with a Tokina 11-16 2.8 on a tripod with a 2 second exposure setting in my interval mode. I think this shot was number 47 of the series, and the very first bolt captured of the storm. The second I saw the bolt and heard my shutter close shut. MY JAW DROPPED. I got goose bumps. I pulled my phone out to record the reveal and it was in what my opinion is the luckiest lightning shot I have ever had the honor to experience! There is very minimal post processing. Dropped highlights a tad, masked out some beach goers clothes and trash in a small pile on the right side in the sand. Thank you for reading and happy shooting!
-Capt Matt Johnson
www.twoplus.me