How this lucky photographer captured a shocking lightning storm named ‘Firing Squad’ from 50 miles away

By Rebecca Chitolie

A BRAVE photographer created a storm by issuing truly shocking images of lightning striking the desert landscape of Arizona this summer.

Called “Firing Squad” one image taken from an incredible 50-MILES AWAY shows multiple lighting strikes to the landscape with cacti in the foreground, while another rare shot shows a rainbow and a lightning strike occurring alongside one another in the same image.

Photographer Ed Mitchell from Arizona captured these photos in Surprise, Arizona, USA using his Sony A7RIV camera with a Tamron 70-180mm lens.

Ed was prepared for this weather knowing the monsoon season is from June to September, and during this time he keeps his camera gear handy, as “the storms are often sudden and brief”.

“On this particular night, there were several storm cells tracking north of my location and I was following those for an hour”, said Ed.

“Suddenly, the storm died and as I was contemplating whether to go home since it was well past 10pm at this point, but the storm in this first photo suddenly erupted in an impressive display of wicked, huge lightning bolts.

“The problem was that there was a 40 miles distance and it didn’t show well on the 75mm lens I typically use for these shoots.

“I decided to climb on top of my rooftop tent, which sits upon a rack on the bed of my truck.

“From this vantage point and with a 180mm lens, I was able to capture the images you see before you.”

Ed describes how he’s often seen these storms before and explained what he loves about them.

“I felt excited to relive them as I did the edit”, said Ed.

“I just love the excitement and the drama of a storm like this.

“It’s like watching a fireworks show put on by nature.

“It’s awe inspiring to witness the beautiful violence a monsoon releases.”

Many of Ed’s photos were taken 50 miles away, he described the reaction he received to his images.

“Firing squad”, said Nicole Zenhausern.

“God that was a busy day”, said Susan Kruse-Fajardo.

“Amazing, do you sell these anywhere?”, said Christopher Steven Christensen.

ENDS