Eiffel Illumination, a photo from Ile-de-France, North

Photographer's Note

Global warming is having its annual fun in Paris at the moment - several days of very hot and uncomfortable weather, followed by a devastating storm. I managed to pitch the camera under the Peace Pagoda minutes before the rain started; however, I was unprepared for the near half hour of strong wind, dust storms, hail and heavy rain which was to fall across Paris today. The Camera was soaked! Fortunately, I managed to retrieve this picture, but it has suffered a little from rain on the lens :-(

Things are a little cooler now and warm weather is on its way again for the weekend - just in time to go visit the beach :-)

Roly, KevRyan, leonorkuhn, Wyndy, bibiweb, Sasa, thebig_d81, stat, cpolus, ksoloduc, jambomita, rtome, djnik2004, SelimAzad, f_ckoff, HIRAKZ, rodalvas, Prisley, nels, zeca, jafadabret, grifos, Xalkida, benkrut, touristdidi, Wandering_Dan, edytungkal, Jonas_Schmitt, tzourob, ketabati, LAPIAZ, littlevix, mato_pavlovic, triky, CarambaConcept, ChrisJ ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

Roly (2024) 2005-06-23 14:36

Very good capture, what technique did you use to capture the discharge? I like the point of view and the symmetric composition. Yes, the weather was really bad, there is no doubt about that!

pedrocarmo (1295) 2005-06-23 14:38

In my point of view this is one of the great photos in this site.
I know you were lucky, but you were lucking for the luck.
Great Shot and tremendous timing.

jeanfrancois (1260) 2005-06-23 14:43

This is a absolutely fantastic shot ! totally surreal. bravo.

KevRyan (22956) 2005-06-23 14:44

This has to be one of the most extraordinary ordinary moments I've seen presented of the Eifel Tower - what amazing weather you describe - well done for sticking it out and getting this shot - what a stroke of good fortune - I'd even go as far as to say an historic image - although for all I know there may be hundreds of images of this quintessential French icon being hit by lightning.

Amazing!

Kev

danyy (0) 2005-06-23 15:03

Bonjour David,
la tour Eifel comme je ne l'avais jamais vue.
Impressionnant, une photo qui mérite une ovation.
Compliments.
Daniel.

Jeppe (18654) 2005-06-23 15:11

Wow - I'm still looking forward to take and post my first lightning shot - Amazing you could get this shot in a city like Paris - there must be a lot of ligth - I can see by your comment to Roly that that the exposure time 30 sek not 1/1.25

Congratutulation and thanks for sharing David - surely one for a theme or two.

recepyuksel (18640) 2005-06-23 15:15

olağanüstü bir foto.
sıradışı bir an
bravo

blue-velvet30 (6524) 2005-06-23 15:15

Wow! I like this photo ;-) This ist amazing :-)

Bravo!

Dorota

afderrick (348) 2005-06-23 15:26

Wow, incredible shot and great timing of a place to be. I'm doubley jealous having a lightning shot, I want one, and then having lightning hit the eiffel tower, that's incredible. Great shot and thanks for sharing it with us. Shame about rain on the lenses, wonder how much better it would look, hope it didn't ruin your camera.

apache (1426) 2005-06-23 15:42

Hi David,
A once in a life time picture...! I guess when u get something real good, you loose something. I guess the lens was a trade off for this picture (hope the lens is ok). The eiffel tower, an often shot famous landmark, itself is dwarfed in significance to the lightning in this picture.
Very well shot.
Thanks also for the technique explanation you gave. Will try it out some day. I will have an umbrella handy...:)
Ranjith

mariposa (916) 2005-06-23 15:45

my gratulations... unbelievable!!!

namaste_oti (705) 2005-06-23 16:54

Hi David,

Very nice catch. Congratulation, speed and aperture are well choosen.
Congartulation
Olivier

leonorkuhn (16237) 2005-06-23 17:05

Hi David,

It's a decisive moment! Good shot. I like this colors.
Well done.
Leonor

toni_al (15875) 2005-06-23 17:27

Salut David
Tu prend des risques pour tes photos, mais le resultat est vraiment a la hauteur.
SUPERBE
Toni

hdl (7035) 2005-06-23 17:52

Magical shot, David! Looks like the Martians attack. Very well done, I like this a lot.

Timmok (802) 2005-06-23 18:05

Bien saisi. J'espère que tu as couru vite après ça, parce qu'il faisait quasiment nuit à 17h à cause de la puissance de l'orage...

Les couleurs sont très belles, ça illustre bien à quel point c'était l'apocalypse après ces jours de grand beau temps et chaleur.

gezgin37 (3788) 2005-06-23 18:20

400 shots to capture this moment. well worth it. congratulations, great shot.

Wyndy (0) 2005-06-23 18:20

Spectacular once in a lifetime picture, David! Well done! Treasure the moment and this picture forever!
Wyndy in Canada

Elric (560) 2005-06-23 19:10

Bresson would be proud. Well done!

rajhema (1873) 2005-06-23 20:22

Very well timed. Breathtaking and rare picture. The eerie atmosphere and the bright light hitting the towers, I don't have words to express. Thanks for sharing

ABunce (109) 2005-06-23 21:14

Absolutely amazing catch!
Well done!

dkeus31 (27739) 2005-06-24 3:30

Bonjour David,
Au bon moment au bon endrtoit, encore fallait-il réussir son coup, ce qui est fait de façon magistrale ici.

bibiweb (8) 2005-06-24 8:47

Hi David,
This morning the radio mentionned the severe storm in Paris last evening and now I can actually see a picture! This photo is absolutely fantastic! I always wondered how you actually go about getting an image like this. Is it just a matter of luck or do you shoot dozens of photos and just hope that one will be exactly "at the right moment"?
Thanks for sharing,
Brigitte

jasmis (58647) 2005-06-24 12:58

Wow,great moment and very impressive effect.

Amandine (1072) 2005-06-26 11:21

Quelle cance d'avoir pu capturer une scène pareille ! C'est impressionant et magnifique. BBravo

Sasa (341) 2005-07-10 8:17 [Comment]

Show Comment

dominique (11414) 2005-07-25 18:25

J'ai du mal a croire en cette image et pourtant !! quelle chance ou quelle classe !! bravo du grand travail pour cette grande image .

Niara78 (0) 2005-08-15 16:25

Some timing you have!! This beats the usual glittering New Year illumination on the Eiffel Tower hands down!

remcos (715) 2005-09-12 18:01

Hello David,

Very strange picture. But OK
That you go out with a that weather you describe in your note
It looks if it’s enhanced. I believe it’s not.
Well done (and thanks for going into the rain, because we didn’t saw it.)

TFS

Greetings
Re[]v[]co

annagrace (2469) 2005-09-18 22:04

What a strange, wonderful, bizarre photo! I absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad I wasn't eating dinner at the Jules Verne when that bolt of lightning hit.

Alli

pady (4800) 2005-09-24 15:17

Incredible,
You were here at the right time. You are not affraid to take some risk, but what a result. I like it.

thebig_d81 (777) 2005-10-07 8:54

For real. You see that many eiefel shots but seeing something like this is something else. Apsolutely amazing. Almost looks like the base of it is smokey? Would have to be one of the best shots of the tower on TE.
Darren

timmiles (0) 2005-10-23 5:17

Wow. The rain effect on the lens doesn't really matter - the photo has such an impact, it's great! So don't be :( about it - I (and I guess many others) opened their eyes in shock at the timing of this one - well done!

rosaline (0) 2005-11-04 7:14

David
This looks like something out of War of the Worlds! Very dramatic with the dark lighting and the swirlling clouds. A bit dangerous to photographs though!!

Luciedls (164) 2005-11-05 9:01

Photo très impressionnante, bien sûr avec l'éclair sur la tour Effeil mais aussi le côté dramatique de la rue, des arbres taillés sur le côté et de la petite tâche de couleur rouge de l'automobile. Et la pluie, et la brume...J'aime aussi énormément l'arrière-plan marbré de mauve et de vert. Quelle photo ! Bravo !!

greg (2835) 2005-11-15 7:12

Hi David! I've never seen that done before - a shot of lightning striking where you expected it. But I suppose the Eiffel tower is hit quite often? I wonder if I wouldn't prefer a wider framing here.

Luan (12971) 2005-12-06 4:27

Hello David,
a wonderful catch, such a perfect timing you have to capture this scene. It is perfectly composed and it looks like a painting.
Well done
Luan

rbcy1974 (20758) 2005-12-08 17:03

Hi David,
Just discovered this photo,
what a magnificent moment,
plus the foggy wetr environment are very well captured,
excellent photo
regards
Daniel

jpages (1670) 2005-12-08 18:44

Hi David,
I have done a critique to this photo this afternoon but I don't know what has happened with it, so I repeat it.
I think you did a great work, knowing the weather conditions, and you were very lucky of capturing the ray, this makes the photo unique. It is really amazing and impressive to see. Congratulations.
Best regards.
Jaume

simplyoga (6506) 2005-12-12 9:15

Hi Devid,
Love this one..
Real nice composition...
Beautiful colour as well..
PEACE !!

banyanman (7797) 2005-12-13 20:56

I have just discovered your gallery, David, after noticing your 'meteor' composition, but I wanted to add my last smiley for the day to this superb photograph. I am impressed that you persevered for 400 exposures to capture this decisive moment - and suffering water damage to your lens as well. Your PP was very well done and has resulted in a remarkable photograph. One of the best lightning shots that I have been on TE. Cheers . . . David

alive (1362) 2006-01-26 7:22 [Comment]

Show Comment

jambomita (206) 2006-01-30 8:34

wow..
this is exceptional..
extraordinary capture...!!!
love it

Nefaryta (2582) 2006-01-30 8:37

Incredible. Thanks for shering

rtome (638) 2006-02-17 3:56

Superb shot David!
Your patience led you to an excellent result.
Well done!

Nikofan (1090) 2006-03-02 20:39

Fantastic!
And you had enough time for using a tripod!!!
That's the first time I see the Eiffel Tower under this aspect!
Great!

Bernard

Andre-H (1271) 2006-03-08 23:27

Outstanding! The Eiffel Tower is always a wonderful subject for photography, but this is lightning!

schobi (187) 2006-04-03 11:51

WOW!!! Great work David!
Best regards, Bernhard

fertxu (323) 2006-04-12 5:45

Hello David
I really like this wonderful ship you captured here.
Regards, Fernando

elBud (2237) 2006-04-14 16:36

i haven´t seen something like this before, i do love this picture, you´re a lucky man, for real, that´s a great picture.

SelimAzad (477) 2006-04-22 7:30

Facinated by the capture .. wonderfull .. should write up something more in details abt the capture ..

partha (14023) 2006-04-23 7:51

So well timed shot. It surely demands lot of patience and so presence of mind.
Well done

abulafia (4900) 2006-05-08 15:44

Wow, talk about the right place at the right time. not much to add
Thanks
Harry

pittdesign (288) 2006-07-07 10:25

Quel coup de pot !!! Impressionnant :)

anaines (827) 2006-07-11 12:34

This picture is incredible, and very risk! I really admire your dedication to take the picture, and TFS it!

HIRAKZ (168) 2006-07-12 0:16 [Comment]

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rodalvas (641) 2006-07-13 19:34

Almost unreal! Perfectly executed. Congrats.

Betty (145) 2006-07-19 21:08

wow! I'm jealous :) I haven't yet ventured into night photography and it'll be years before I try lightning, but this photo gives me something to look forward to,
TFS, Betty

Prisley (1485) 2006-08-05 12:53

Incredible view! I bet you were brave to be outside at that moment! Really worth it! TFS!!!
Cheers,
Pris.

nels (2623) 2006-08-14 14:40

hi david,, shot of a lifetime!! brilliant

adrian

mysticmoon79 (320) 2006-08-14 14:40 [Comment]

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mfc247 (309) 2006-08-14 14:58

wow David, amazing shot, also a great POV, nice composition, but the lightning takes all the applause.
Congratulations and tfs,
marcelo

dl34 (72) 2006-08-30 12:48

in my aponion, the best photo i have seen on TE. superb well done

balatrek (7455) 2006-09-10 7:06

Hi David,

I believe that this image is surprising, you have caught a little while decisive and spectacular, the light and the fog create an interesting atmosphere, good work!

Regards

José

amoriconi2 (1082) 2006-10-01 17:23

Hello David,
I think this image deserves every point,
great event capture.
Catching lighting is in my to do list.
regards,
alberto.

zeca (19762) 2006-10-25 13:10

Incredible timing, David! Good framing. Unique picture.
Regards,
Zeca

verde (957) 2006-10-25 13:21

breath taking. not just because of the lightening but also because of the smokey feel and lovely colors around the tower.

really amazing
b

jafadabret (56501) 2006-10-25 13:49

David, bonsoir !
C'est peut-être le monument le plus photographié au monde mais là, ce cliché est tout simplement magique.
C'est déjà pas évident de photographier des éclairs mais un éclair aussi beau qui arrive pile sur la Tour, chapeau bas !
Jacques

patriik (1935) 2006-11-05 14:33 [Comment]

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skip21 (43) 2007-01-19 16:36

Great picture, i love the symetry and the atmosphere created by the weather. How did you manage to take the shot at the right time? was it luck or tech ?

Skip

grifos (908) 2007-02-08 16:47

Amazing foto,great timing pov composition colors.All perfect.
good work
TFS

benkrut (2407) 2007-03-24 18:32

Unbelivable!
Strange, I haven't seen this one yet.
Joins other perfect photos in my favourites.
Take care
Henryk

diegoenfrance (231) 2007-05-18 19:11

awesome!!!!

teta5 (1203) 2007-07-26 6:51

hello David
you captured great moment. you were at this place in perfect moment!
congratulations!
TFS
Aneta

Giulietta (56) 2007-07-27 14:54

je n ai jamais vue la tour eiffel celui ci....c est incroyable!!!impressionant!!!

Giulietta

pieczorin (154) 2007-08-06 10:49

wow! it looks as if taken from a science fiction movie about aliens invading Earth! everything in this picture looks scary and in a way majectic. great moment you caught!
regards,
Piotr

touristdidi (8583) 2007-08-06 11:07 [Comment]

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Wandering_Dan (3449) 2007-09-13 15:50

An incredibly lucky shot - except that luck had fairly little to do with it. I read in the discussions (would be nice to edit the note to put it there) how you set this up and took 400 shots to get a lightning strike. Very well done!

And I actually like the atmospheric distortions - they give the impression the tower is smoking from the lightning.

Bandit (2360) 2007-11-29 11:16

Superbe !!! Il n'y pas d'autres mots !!! Quel instant magique !!
Bravo !!

sadeik (3282) 2007-12-29 8:38

Pretty damn impressive, stunning lighting AND you made such a great composition too. Preety damn impressive

Simon

genepy (318) 2007-12-29 8:40

Image impressionnante, apocalyptique avec ce champ de Mars désert !!

Brvavo.

char_mifsud (541) 2007-12-29 8:44

Hello david,
Wow, incredible shot and great timing of a place to be. Congratutulation and thanks for sharing. It is perfectly composed and it looks like a painting. Well done.
Regards,
Charles
Malta

AlbGirl (0) 2008-01-03 8:14

Wow.. what a shot... you've captured it at the right moment. Eiffel is one of my favorite subject to shoot but in this shot it's the lightning that makes it perfect :)

Eda

edytungkal (4551) 2008-03-13 19:38

One of amazing pictures in TE, dramatic and great moment to capture the famous Eiffel with nature storm. Thanks David..

daniel

mikele_pl (2400) 2008-03-29 6:01

Hi David,
congratulations on the perfect moment. This photo is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Greetings
Michal

Jonas_Schmitt (3074) 2008-03-30 11:04

wow, you took this picture in the exactly right moment!
fantastic scene you captured here.
jonas

tzourob (195) 2008-04-01 7:09 [Comment]

Show Comment

sandeepmalla (65) 2008-07-10 22:37

hey david,

beautiful picture. angry mother nature in action. and i say you are not only lucky to take this picture but you also took it very nicely and wisely...

cheers
sandeep

golden (2289) 2008-10-11 2:55

Hello David!
Unbelievable shot...

Congratulations,
Chrysoula.

eltotorino (223) 2008-11-04 19:11

hi,
just CONGRATULATIONS!

LAPIAZ (3144) 2009-02-22 23:30

Bonjour David !
Un moment unique pour un cadrage parfait. La photo qu'on rêve de faire ;-)))
Cordialement,
Anna

anto95 (1840) 2009-03-05 4:08

Hi David,
Very good POV and amazing details.
Antonello

eyeofodin (31) 2009-04-08 22:15

Unbelievable! One of the best shots on the site. I can't stop staring at it...the purple hues to the blue to the gray. Perfection!

PainDivine69 (1) 2009-10-14 10:23

Hi David,
I´m speechless! What a capture of a sad rainy day!

Regards, Björn

Leconte (5795) 2009-10-17 10:54

magnifique, synchronisation parfaite!

Tukan-T5 (4317) 2010-01-23 8:34

Hi David,
fantastic shot in right moment.
Really great capture.
Congratulation Tomas

Limat72 (139) 2010-02-28 12:44

Placement perfect, good composition and bad weather makes a ghostly appearance. In the right place, right time.congratulations!

bsuwardoyo (14) 2010-04-26 0:37 [Comment]

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lilito (3534) 2010-06-10 0:31

Quelle belle photo!
La chance aussi ;)

kishorek (105) 2010-06-10 0:51

Hi David,
What an excellent capture. I can understand your efforts in such bad weather. But its worth spending. You have got your picture. Nice POV. amazing work.
Congratulations.
Regards,
Kishore K.

triky (78) 2011-01-12 20:14

Amazing,well done

ren777 (27) 2011-02-09 9:57

what a great shot...really like it..may be the am not good with saying technical qualities but like the patients and the timing..really great one..

aPENture (23) 2011-02-09 13:07

Ill start with wow! this is indeed a great shot, talk about great timing and luck capturing this moment. One of a kind! great job on the pic!

meamila (6) 2012-05-23 1:28

Hello
Great photo. This is a absolutely fantastic. I really like this photo it is my favourite.

smash2707 (3320) 2012-12-08 16:57

Excellent timing and excellent light management. Nice composition with perspective. TFS

fkk (2039) 2013-02-08 7:49

Muhteşem bir an...

GillesD (2) 2015-02-01 18:09

Hi,
quel atmosphère superbe, la chance sourie à la patience, probablement une des meilleurs photo
enfin dans le top 10 des meilleurs, du champ Mars en plus, lui donne une belle présentation, je ne c'est pas ci du haut du Trocadéro ci l'effet aurait était aussi fort,

bravo

Gilles