July 10th, 2008


I’ve been waiting years to get a shot of lightning like this over the city of Raleigh. It finally paid off tonight.


Cloud to ground lightning bolt cracks the sky over downtown Raleigh.


Wider version


Incoming storm


Wind blown bolt 1


Wind blown bolt 2


Whales mouth formation before the rain.


Bonus faint rainbow.

24 Responses to “Finally, Some good Lightning over Raleigh”

  1. JR wrote:

    Holy crap these are SWEET. Incoming storm and the Whale’s mouth are astonishing.

  2. JR wrote:

    Can we PLEASE have a 1600×1200 image of any of these pictures somewhere so I can use it as my desktop wallpaper? Is it a legal issue or something? I’d just really like to look at these more often without having to open up my browser all the time :D

  3. Sam wrote:

    AMAZING. I was eating dinner at North Hills when this storm came through and was amazed by all the lightning. Absolutely wonderful shots, Matt!

  4. Matt wrote:

    Whoa, these are cool!

  5. beebo wrote:

    Fantastic photographs.

    I live about 80 miles to the east in Greenville and Raleigh has been getting an amazing amount of storm activity which by the time it gets to Greenville the storms have completely dissipated. It’s not fair! :)

  6. laryea wrote:

    matt you are the mf man dude!

  7. Jedidiah wrote:

    As soon as the clouds rolled in over downtown last night, a co-worker and I noted that we were sure you would be out and about. It looked like Independence Day down here.

  8. Abby wrote:

    STUNNING! These are great!

  9. Ernest wrote:

    That is what I call Total Destruction :LOL: Truly amazing shots, and I am glad you were there to record those images. Thanks for posting your photos here.

  10. jrd wrote:

    I live downtown and that storm was insane. Great pictures

  11. Shaloot wrote:

    FANTASTIC PHOTOS!! do you use a cable release to get the shots? how do you get these?!

  12. Anonymous wrote:

    YOWZA! Incoming Storm is INCREDIBLE!

  13. Heather Wright wrote:

    That third picture is absolutely beautiful…

  14. Sarah Emily wrote:

    I would like an option to buy too, please.

  15. Anson wrote:

    Great shots man! Very clean and cool looking lighting. Exposure must have been tough, but you did a great job.

  16. Brendan wrote:

    The third picture, “Incoming Storm” is money!! It’s so good it almost looks fake, the contrast in the clouds, and the aura emitted by the bolt are incredibly sharp!!

  17. tom wrote:

    Some great shots. Are your shots avalible for purchase?

  18. shawn rocco wrote:

    matt, these are awesome. it has been a while since we’ve had a good close thunderstorm to downtown. it makes the heat and humidity a little more worthwhile. a little. best, shawn.

  19. Justin H. wrote:

    Too bad a couple skyscrapers didn’t pop up where the lighting bolts hit :) AWESOME as usual Matt

  20. eric wrote:

    Wow the 3rd one is awesome! I love the way the clouds look!

  21. Drew wrote:

    These pics are GREAT Matt! Glad you were able to catch the clouds and the way the sun was hitting the RBC Plaza…NICE!
    I was thinking… just an idea: Have you been to the Bojangles on exit 319 off I40? That might make for a different skyline view or angle?!

  22. Drew wrote:

    WOW! GREAT PICS MATT! I was thinking, have you ever captured the skyline from the Bojangles on exit 319 (Clayton/Angier) off 40?!

  23. Ari wrote:

    I didn’t know you could see the skyline from there….I’m here in Clayton Township and I guess I should check that out.

  24. paul beezley wrote:

    Yow-sa! great shots! called the wife to #3!
    as always, you kick serious a**!


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