Morning Thunderstorm Over Morris Reserve

The Story:     There is something magical about a summer morning thunderstorm.  It’s a cozy feeling lying in bed listening to thunder roll across the land… until the landscape photographer in me takes over.  Once I envisioned this scene, I was out the door into the breezy darkness and headed for Morris Reserve near Bellbrook, Ohio.

Although it was officially sunrise, the storm clouds were so thick that the prairie remained cloaked in darkness.  Lightning repeatedly illuminated the distant sky, casting subtle pink and purple hues across the clouds while the trail disappeared into the storm.  To preserve the vibrant greens and blooming wildflowers in the foreground, I combined multiple long exposures with a carefully timed flash, creating a final image that captures both the fury of the sky and the quiet beauty of the tall grass prairie.

 

The Rest of the Story:  As dramatic as the lightning was, one of my favorite discoveries came later while reviewing the image on my computer.  Near the distant horizon, the illuminated clouds seem to silhouette the unmistakable shape of an owl… a detail I had never noticed while standing in the field.  Whether it is coincidence or simply the mind finding familiar forms in nature, many viewers spot it immediately.

The photograph itself is a composite of sixteen 30-second exposures captured over thirteen minutes, with an additional flash exposure used to freeze the grey-head coneflowers and wild bergamot swaying in the wind.  The result preserves a moment that my eyes experienced but a single exposure never could… the power of the storm overhead and the quiet resilience of the prairie below.

If Morris Reserve fascinates you as it does me, check out this Morris Reserve Gallery of Artprints.   This print along with a few others drove me to create another gallery called Stormscapes.

 

Sublocation:   Morris Reserve

City, State:      Bellbrook, Ohio

Year:                2022

Accolades:

2024 – Juried into the 34th Annual Dayton-Area Works on Paper exhibition in the Kettering Health Art Gallery at Rosewood Arts Center.  One of 60 pieces selected from 241 submissions!

Price range: $75.00 through $440.00

Product Description

Lightning over Morris Reserve near Bellbrook Ohio with prairie trail, gray-headed coneflowers, wild bergamot, and storm clouds at dawn.

There is something magical about a summer morning thunderstorm. It’s a cozy feeling lying in bed listening to thunder roll across the land… until the landscape photographer in me takes over. Once I envisioned this scene, I was out the door into the breezy darkness and headed for Morris Reserve near Bellbrook, Ohio.
Although it was officially sunrise, the storm clouds were so thick that the prairie remained cloaked in darkness. Lightning repeatedly illuminated the distant sky, casting subtle pink and purple hues across the clouds while the trail disappeared into the storm. To preserve the vibrant greens and blooming wildflowers in the foreground, I combined multiple long exposures with a carefully timed flash, creating a final image that captures both the fury of the sky and the quiet beauty of the prairie.
The Rest of the Story
As dramatic as the lightning was, one of my favorite discoveries came later while reviewing the image on my computer. Near the distant horizon, the illuminated clouds seem to silhouette the unmistakable shape of an owl… a detail I had never noticed while standing in the field. Whether it is coincidence or simply the mind finding familiar forms in nature, many viewers spot it immediately.
The photograph itself is a composite of sixteen 30-second exposures captured over thirteen minutes, with an additional flash exposure used to freeze the gray-headed coneflowers and wild bergamot swaying in the wind. The result preserves a moment that my eyes experienced but a single exposure never could… the power of the storm overhead and the quiet resilience of the prairie below.

Additional Information

Weight N/A
Dimensions N/A
Size

12" x 18", 20" x 30", 30" x 45"
Media

Framed Giclee Canvas, Metal, Photo Paper

Framed Giclee Canvas Prints

My canvas prints originate from the highest quality equipment and techniques which produce an impressively vibrant and sturdy print.  Features of My Framed Giclee Canvas Prints include:
 

  • Light Weight:  Lacking the need of glass and matting, these canvas prints are light weight
  • More Print for Your Money:  Avoiding expensive glass and matting lowers costs
  • Archival:  The pigment inks are archival rated at 95 years
  • No Gallery-wrapped Hazards:  My framed giclee canvas prints avoid the hazards of traditional gallery wrapped canvas prints (print edges easily mar and the canvas tends to relax and warp).  My canvas is mounted to a solid surface so it will never warp and the outer frame protects the print’s edges.
  • Ready to Hang.  Your canvas print comes ready to hang with single wire fastened to two sturdy D-ring hangers (quality D-rings resist wire tension vice eye hooks).  We employ a plastic-coated wire which mitigates corrosion, prevents stray strands from puncturing a finger, and permits easier leveling of frame.  In paying attention to details, we also properly wire frame with some tension which ensures canvas hangs close to wall.
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall.
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark.
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Canvas Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 40 x 60 inches, shipping in sizes 30 x 45 inches and above is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days.
A front and back image of my framed giclee canvas print presentation

Metal Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Incredibly vibrant:  My prints start with a white gloss substrate which produces vivid colors and enthusiastic comments 
  • Extremely durable:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, so if handled properly the print will last over 100 years.  
  • Cleans easily:  If cleaning is required, owners can employ soft cloth.
  • Saves money:  Unlike paper prints which require protective glass, there is no need to cover the metal surface.  With no glass, there’s no longer a need for the expensive framing, matting and labor which drives up the cost for traditional paper prints.
  • Ready to hang:  We attach mounts to the back of the metal prints which provide gallery-preferred hang points, and elevates the print off the wall producing a floating effect.  
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Metal Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 30 x 45 inches shipping is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.  
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days. 
A front and back image of my metal print presentation

Photopaper Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Archival:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, where the pigments are rated at 95 years provided the print is protected from UV Rays. 
  • Flexibility:  Ordering a print on photopaper allows clients to make their own framing and matting decisions for the ultimate customization experience. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I include a certificate of authenticity with each print.  Once you frame the print, your framer can attach it to the rear of the print.
  • Final Product:  I have dedicated shipping tubes to hold the print until your framer is ready to mount and frame the print.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated shipping tubes which take an additional 3 to 5 days for shipping. 
A cardboard tube with white paper on top of it.

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