Cloud-to-ground lightning
A lightning bolt starting high up in the cumulonimbus clouds working is way down to striking the ground. Giant cloud to ground C2G lightning bolt hitting the horizon of city lights. NE Boulder County Colorado. August 20th, 2011, 11:00Pm. Striking fine art nature lightning landscape photography prints, stock images and canvas art .
This is the best known and second most common type of lightning. Of all the different types of lightning, it poses the greatest threat to life and property since it strikes the ground. Cloud-to-ground lightning is a lightning discharge between a cumulonimbus cloud and the ground. It is initiated by a leader stroke moving down from the cloud.
Multiple paths of cloud-to-cloud Lightning discharges may occur between areas of cloud without contacting the ground. When it occurs between two separate clouds it is known as inter-cloud lightning and when it occurs between areas of differing electric potential within a single cloud, it is known as intra-cloud lightning. Intra-cloud lightning is the most frequently occurring type.
These are most common between the upper anvil portion and lower reaches of a given thunderstorm. This lightning can sometimes be observed at great distances at night as so-called “heat lightning”. In such instances, the observer may see only a flash of light without hearing any thunder. The “heat” portion of the term is a folk association between locally experienced warmth and the distant lightning flashes.
Another terminology used for cloud-cloud or cloud-cloud-ground lightning is “Anvil Crawler”, due to the habit of the charge typically originating from beneath or within the anvil and scrambling through the upper cloud layers of a thunderstorm, normally generating multiple branch strokes which are dramatic to witness. These are usually seen as a thunderstorm passes over the observer or begins to decay. The most vivid crawler behavior occurs in well developed thunderstorms that feature extensive rear anvil shearing.
Lightning Fact: Lightning kills more people on an annual basis than tornadoes, hurricanes or winter storms. It is second only to flash floods in the annual number of deaths caused by storm-related hazards.
Lightning Fact: Damage costs from lightning are estimated at $4-5 billion each year in the U.S.
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Biography
Bo Insogna was born in Pittsburgh, PA. A full time Professional Photographer in Boulder County Colorado. A Professional Portrait Photographer, Commercial, Stock Photography, Storm Chaser and Nature Lover.
He studied with the New York Institute of Photography. In 1984 Bo opened a commercial studio in downtown Boulder, Colorado, shooting for local businesses, magazines and newspapers. He also had the opportunity to shoot for the Bicycle Guide Magazine for the “Coors International Bicycle Classic”
In 1987 the economy in Colorado got bad and Bo decided to make a move to Scottsdale Arizona. While there he was the head staff photographer for the “Phoenician Arabian Magazine” doing the covers and a column “Bo Trek”. He had the pleasure to photograph beautiful Arabian Horses, riders and trainers.
Also that year was the first time Bo witness and photographed spectacular lightning storms and became a Storm chaser. Thus Arizona Lightning, TheLightningMan and Striking Photography By Bo was born. A lot has changed, back then they were shooting film and there was only a handful of lightning photographers. Many of the new ones have contacted and been inspired by Bo’s Lightning Work.
One of Bo’s images “Operation Desert Storm” was chosen by The Arizona Vietnam Vets for the Desert Storm Memorial Fund.
In 2007 Bo moved back to Colorado landing In Longmont Colorado, Boulder County just outside of Boulder opening a Home Studio.
His day job is a family and commercial photographer. Striking Photography by Bo. Pet photography, children photo’s, family portraits, senior portraits, professional head shots, model portfolios, commercial, stock photography, food and product.
His Night job is chasing lightning aka TheLightningMan.com and fine art nature landscape photography. His prints have been purchased from collectors from all over the world and have been featured on Television, Magazines, Newspapers, Books and licensed for all kinds of media.
One of Bo’s images was even purchased and licensed to The Hit TV show “In Plain Sight” . He also had the honor of being feature in the Russian Version of “Photographer Magazine”
Bo featured in Newspaper – For local man, photographing lightning is a calling Article Copy
Bo featured in Newspaper – STRIKE ZONE ? Lightning energizes nature photographer Article Copy
Bo featured in Newspaper – Lightning man strikes Boulder County Article Copy
There are shots that have been worked on for many years just to get the storm to be in the right place at the right time? and even more ? Bo being in the right place at the right time. His gear is always ready to go and when the crack of thunder sounds, it is his calling to get out and chase a storm. In other words when everyone is running inside ( and you should) it is out the door into the thick of things for Bo. It is more than just getting a shot of a lightning bolt? it is about getting an interesting and artistic shot of lightning.
“Lightning at Horseworld” took two years to get. “The Praying Monk Lightning Storm” took three years to get. And the most amazingly the shot of the year being worked on “Lightning and The Cross” took only 20 minutes! Somethings are meant to be.
Please make no mistake, it is extremely exciting to catch some lightning bolts on camera and is even an incredible rush? but it can be extremely dangerous. So if you decide you want to be a ?storm chaser? be aware of your surroundings and have the right gear.
There have been a few times all the hair on his body stood up and he knew there was a charge building, there have also been many situations he has crawled out of. When the Budweiser Storm images happened, that was a chase that almost took him from Boulder County to Wyoming. At the start of that photo shoot: First, the remote on the camera would get hit. Next, he would jump in the back of the SUV with his feet off the ground with comfort of four rubber tires for safety. It was the most erratic lightning he has ever seen. Scary stuff. You could not tell where the bolts were going to hit next. Front of you, behind you or on top of you! So safety is always number one.
Also, if you are an editor, and are interested in or looking for a good human interest story your readers or audience will love, images are always available please contact.
New Images are added and work is being uploaded all the time. So please check back.
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