HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY LANDSCAPES
Raul Mostoslavsky | Lightning up the Grand Canyon

Name: Raul Mostoslavsky
Picture title: Lightning up the Grand Canyon
Category: Landscape 
Nationality: Country of origin: Argentina, Country of Residence: USA
Occupation: I am amateur photographer, I’m a cancer researcher (molecular biologist)

Technical information
Camera: Nikon D610
Lens: 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 lens
EXIF: 1 sec, f3.5 (-0.67e/v),  ISO 160
Accessories: No tripod (I set the camera on a rock!), no flash

Raul Mostoslavsky​ says:

I traveled last year to Utah to accompany my wife to run a marathon. Although we went only for 3 days, I checked the map and realized that driving for 6 hours will bring me to the Grand Canyon, so we drove there (we were lucky to find last minute lodging inside the Park, due to Covid). We arrived to watch a beautiful sunset, and then, exhausted, headed to bed. But I knew this was probably the only night I would spend in the Grand Canyon in my life, so I decided to head to the rim; I always dreamed of taking a night shot of the Canyon with a starry night. I arrived just when a storm was forming (no starry photo!), with a lot of lightning inside the clouds. I started playing with the camera when suddenly a bolt struck right in front of me, so I started trying to find the right settings. It was dark pitched! After 5 different settings, and 300 shots, I got only 2 that worked. 30 minutes later the storm was gone. Being at the right time at the right moment.