Vaudreuil man’s stunning lightning photos featured in National Geographic

VAUDREUIL – An amateur photographer from the West Island is experiencing a bout of internet fame after snapping some spectacular photos of a lightning storm last weekend.

Vaudreuil resident George Schizas was relaxing at home as the rain set in last Sunday night when the vivid lightning strikes caught his eye.

“I ran down the hall, almost tripped over one of my dogs, and set the camera up in the office,” he told Global News.

Schizas said he found a “sweet spot” for taking photos at night with no light pollution from nearby malls and businesses, and captured the sharp photos of fork lightning flashing across the sky.

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He posted them on his Facebook and on a page for the Vaudreuil community.

“This is the most attention I ever got on Facebook, hundreds of likes from my page and the Vaudreuil group,” he said.

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The enthusiastic response prompted Schizas to upload his photos to National Geographic’s “Your Shot” page for hobby photographers.

“People from all different parts of the world – India, Germany – were liking it,” he told Global News.

Schizas said capturing the lightning on camera wasn’t sheer good timing on the shutter button – it took some strategy and know-how.

“I set the shutter speed up for long exposure,” he said.

“If I kept it on short exposure, I’d have to rely on good timing, and would have to press the button at the right moment.”

“I’ve always loved lightning storms. It’s so extremely brief and every lightning strike is different, so for me to have caught that, well, you never get that particular image back again.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I've always loved lightning storms. It's so extremely brief and every lightning strike is different, so for me to have caught that, well, you never get that particular image back again."

According to Schizas, the attention he received online has been nothing but encouraging.

“The exposure that this photo has got inspired me to get out and take more shots,” he said.

Now, he just needs to find a way to turn photography into money.

“If it could somehow help to pay the bills, I’d definitely consider that,” he said.

Make sure to tune in to the Global Montreal Morning News at 7:50 a.m. Monday when George Schizas joins Jessica Laventure at Barbie’s Dorval.