Luck & Lightning at the Grand Canyon

July 31, 2019  |  South Rim of Grand Canyon

Someone once said to me “you sure get lucky with your photography” in reference to some of the spectacular moments I have been “lucky” to have witnessed and photographed. I believe in making your own luck by being prepared, knowing your craft, and by being in the right place when luck presents itself by anticipating what is going to happen.

Lightning strikes the Grand Canyon as rain falling from a summer thunderstorm is backlit by the setting sun. From Desert View...
Summer Alchemy
Grand Canyon National Park

This was one of those occasions. I was working with a private workshop client at the Grand Canyon photographing this incredible display of light as sunlight pierced rain falling from a thunderstorm when three bolts of lightning flashed during our exposures. We could have been somewhere else in the canyon, but I elected to setup in a location that would allow us to photograph the storm as it passed between us and the setting sun.

I photographed this scene with the Fujifilm GFX 50R and GF 32-64mm lens on a Really Right Stuff TVC-24L tripod. I’m really digging this camera and the GF lenses are fantastic. So far I’ve shot with it in temperatures over 100º and in pouring rain during a monsoon thunderstorm. I look forward to taking this camera on the river in a couple months.