[Theme] Clouds

[Akira]

One of those strange evenings

Ominous but beautiful!

This was shot from my usual place.

[senecaman]

Thank you Akira
This one is not quite so ominous

[pluton]

Very nice...the arrangement of the clouds mimics the arrangement of the power pylons.

[Akira]

Very nice...the arrangement of the clouds mimics the arrangement of the power pylons.

Thank you, Keith!

[ArthurDent]

New Mexico, USA. Comments/criticism appreciated.
Nikon D500, 12-24mm f/4 @ 12mm, f/4.5, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100.

[Hugh_3170]

Arthur, Big Sky Country indeed!

The perspective and the converging look into the distance of the clouds from the 12mm lens works for me.

[Akira]

Here in Tokyo, we don't have any rain like other districts in Japan, but the atmosphere is nowhere near calm.

Both are 5-stitch panos using AF-S 50/1.8G (horizontal, first one) and Ai 200/4.0 (vertical, second one).

Does anyone know the proper name for the flat-top cloud in the second image?

[ArthurDent]

Here in Tokyo, we don't have any rain like other districts in Japan, but the atmosphere is nowhere near calm.

Both are 5-stitch panos using AF-S 50/1.8G (horizontal, first one) and Ai 200/4.0 (vertical, second one).

Does anyone know the proper name for the flat-top cloud in the second image?

Cumulonimbus?

[Akira]

Cumulonimbus?

Thank you, Arthur.  I thought that there would be a special name or term for this flat-top clouds, but apparently it is just a variation of cumulonimbus.  Would it be just a matter of the condition of the atmospheric layers?

[ArthurDent]

Thank you, Arthur.  I thought that there would be a special name or term for this flat-top clouds, but apparently it is just a variation of cumulonimbus.  Would it be just a matter of the condition of the atmospheric layers?

I’ve heard them referred to as “anvil top” cumulonimbus. They are an everyday occurence in Florida during the summer. As to the physics behind their formation, I’d just be guessing, but they certainly are beautiful and can produce some awe inspiring lightning.

I was thinking of trying to capture some images of  lightning and came up with the idea of  putting a wide angle lens on the camera with my darkest neutral density filter attached. Set the ISO as low as possible. Manual focus at infinity. F stop of f/12 to start out, set to aperture priority. Camera on the tripod. Then take images one after another until I catch the image of a lightning bolt. There is a park nearby and I can do this from under a covered pavilion which has open sides. If the storm gets close, I’ll leave. Any thoughts as to the set up or perhaps a better way to go about it?

[Akira]

I’ve heard them referred to as “anvil top” cumulonimbus. They are an everyday occurence in Florida during the summer. As to the physics behind their formation, I’d just be guessing, but they certainly are beautiful and can produce some awe inspiring lightning.

I was thinking of trying to capture some images of  lightning and came up with the idea of  putting a wide angle lens on the camera with my darkest neutral density filter attached. Set the ISO as low as possible. Manual focus at infinity. F stop of f/12 to start out, set to aperture priority. Camera on the tripod. Then take images one after another until I catch the image of a lightning bolt. There is a park nearby and I can do this from under a covered pavilion which has open sides. If the storm gets close, I’ll leave. Any thoughts as to the set up or perhaps a better way to go about it?

Anvil top (or incus), yes!  I've forgotten about that.  Thank you for the reminder!

The growth of a cumulonimbus is blocked by the tropopause (according to wiki) and cumulonimbus started to spread horizontally, which creates flat top.

As for shooting the lightning, I've found this interesting device sometime ago (the explanation of the way it works is also very interesting):

http://mkcontrols.com/lightningbug/

As we have fair amount of lightnings here in Tokyo, I've been interested in it.  The problem is the way to protect the camera from the rain...

[Akira]

Never seen such beautiful but weird clouds...

[golunvolo]

They don´t look real  Beautiful contrast with the houses.

[Akira]

They don´t look real  Beautiful contrast with the houses.

Thank you, Paco.  I did see the real thing, but I couldn't believe...

[pluton]

Seen over Mono Lake, California after sundown. Dusk skylight filtering through forest fire smoke(fire is approx 30 miles/40km to the west).