The Green Flash

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 13, 2013880 views12 comments

Okay Stan, I think I have made you wait enough...I hope its not a disappointment.

I have only seen the green flash twice. The first time was about 13 years ago and I was photographing with a Nikon F3 without the auto winder on the body. As I watched the sun set and the green flash develop it peaked in mid wind.

I was kicking myself for that since I had my Nikon F4 sitting in my bag but decided to go "manual".

Well just last week as I was out to photograph the new moon I started seeing the sun developing into what could be another green flash. Sun glade across the water, sun appearing larger than normal, and the classic Omega shape as it warped near the horizon.

This time however, I was armed with my Nikon D2x, an 8GB CF card and plenty of room on it. As the the top of the Omega was getting pinched, I unrolled the exposures and this time I caught the peak, although it was not as vivid or as extensive as the one I saw 13 years ago, I was still contented with capturing it.

So for you viewing here is the full frame and beneath it a tighter crop of just the sun.

Also for those of you scientifically oriented and interested in why this happens, there is a decent great explanation at THIS page.

Enjoy.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on October 13, 2013 at 10:27 PM

Here is the tighter crop.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 13, 2013 at 11:12 PM

I think this is amazing Youssef. I have never seen a green flash but heard of the phenomenon.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 14, 2013 at 9:52 AM

Youssef, This is super cool!!...and pretty darn amazing to see. Great composition as well.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on October 14, 2013 at 10:57 AM

Wow, a green flash is very high on my wishlist.... Congratulations with finally capturing it after the failed first time!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 14, 2013 at 11:01 AM

This is downright gorgeous Youssef. The green flash is neat, but I'm not a very scientific person, so it really doesn't mean that much to me, but this image certainly does. Beautiful.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 14, 2013 at 12:19 PM

Very cool, Youssef! I once got a video of one on Kauai. Such a cool phenomenon.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on October 14, 2013 at 1:43 PM

Very cool, Youssef.

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on October 14, 2013 at 2:55 PM

wonderful Youssef, i like the size of the sun near the horizon

well done

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on October 14, 2013 at 10:36 PM

Incredible image, Youssef. Love your composition and the fascinating design of the sun. Have never witnessed this personally. Superb, and great story too.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 15, 2013 at 11:42 AM

I've never been able to see the flash, much less capture it. Congrats! (Love the crop!)

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on October 15, 2013 at 10:02 PM

That is great!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 18, 2013 at 2:43 PM

Sweet! Good thing i got here before it rolled off the first page...

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments