Storm & Lightning
For weeks, I’ve been wanting to capture lightning in photos, but the timing was never right. Either I was on a night shift, or I was too involved in a drinking session to drive. However, last night, the conditions were finally perfect. While playing Xbox with Lali, we noticed continuous lightning outside. In a sudden decision, we set out for Havihegy with my stowaway. I managed to shoot a short time-lapse there, but at that moment, the lightning was obscured by the clouds.
For weeks, I’ve been wanting to capture lightning in photos, but the timing was never right. Either I was on a night shift, or I was too involved in a drinking session to drive. However, last night, the conditions were finally perfect. While playing Xbox with Lali, we noticed continuous lightning outside. In a sudden decision, we set out for Havihegy with my stowaway. I managed to shoot a short time-lapse thereThe rain reached us as well. Since this wasn’t a planned outing, we didn’t have waterproof clothing. When the drizzle turned into a downpour, we decided to hop back into the car. I still wanted to take photos, so I thought I could manage at the Liberation Monument, either from the car or with my waterproof jacket while Lali waited in the car. But the weather had other plans.
We were crawling along Magaslati Road, with the windshield wipers on their highest setting, yet they couldn’t keep up with the rain. Visibility was so poor that we could only drive at about 20 km/h. Water was cascading down the hillside, and then pea-sized hail started falling. By the time we reached Hunyadi Road, I was debating whether to park under a tree or cautiously try to make it home. I chose the latter, but it was nerve-wracking. Water was pouring down Hunyadi Road, covering its full width at depths of 10-30 centimeters.
I had never seen anything like this in Pécs, not even in photos. The water carried everything with it—gravel, stones, branches, trash, runaway trash cans, and even manhole covers. There were two particularly tense moments when I was seriously worried, as the water surely reached the underside of the car and probably higher. It was surreal to see waves overtaking us on the road. I had never experienced anything like it.
We made it home safely. I quickly took some photos of the conditions around us, which were relatively mild compared to what we had driven through, but still clearly showed that this was no ordinary rain., but at that moment, the lightning was obscured by the clouds.
While the storm raged, I reviewed my photos and felt they weren’t quite up to par, so I waited to see if it would be worth heading out again. Eventually, I decided it was. On this second trip, I went alone. I initially thought of going to the Liberation Monument for a good view but changed my mind and headed towards Rezeda Dűlő as I watched the lightning. Driving up Hunyadi Road, the aftermath of the deluge was evident. Broken branches and debris covered the road. In some places, smaller and larger stones, gravel, and dirt were piled 15-20 centimeters thick. Once I reached Rezeda, I managed to capture a few better shots, although I arrived a bit late. The lightning was already a bit distant. I thought I might check out Rengeteg Street, hoping to catch a few more strikes, but that turned out to be unnecessary.
Overall, my timing could have been better, but I still managed to get a few acceptable shots.
