Posted by mickakers (John Michael Akers) on June 2, 2009 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a beautiful picture! Thank you.

Posted by mikehaney (anonymous) on June 2, 2009 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fantastic picture. Good job!!

Posted by luvinlife (anonymous) on June 2, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How "BEAUTIFUL" thanks for showing us!!

Posted by sweetmaggie (anonymous) on June 2, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

loved the picture!

Posted by bornandraisedironton (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amazing what you can do in PhotoShop !!

Posted by aperature_girl (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey bornandraisedironton.....just because you can create images in photoshop doesn't mean all images...including one above was created that way. Maybe you should get your butt out there with the photographer, each and every time, when she is attempting to create them. At night or in the wee early morning hours. No one else is there braving stormes the way she is...not even her co-workers. Of course not many realise real talent and/or passion when they encounter it.

Posted by bornandraisedironton (anonymous) on June 7, 2009 at 2:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oops - apparently I hit a nerve there. People typing with strong emotion frequently misspell (stormes, realise).

My question is this - Could she have produced the same photograph on film instead of with a digital camera? That takes talent along with a true understanding of aperture and shutter speed! That understanding is a dying art.

My point is this - even a monkey can take a decent photograph with today's digital cameras. Being in the right place at the right time is the hardest part. And of course - having an eye for the end result is helpful.

Jessica does have a great amount of talent - I am not belittling her ability. Her gallery of photos show some outstanding photographs that apparently have never been published. Obviously she is dedicated to her craft. Not many others are willing to get out and sit in the middle of the street in the middle of the night and risk becoming a speedbump themselves just to get that one perfect image. Jessica has proven she is willing to do just that and has some excellent work as a result of that effort. Maybe an art display would be in order for her work. Just a thought.

Question - Does the Tribune still use printing equipment from the 70's or 80's ? The website shows photographs in rich vibrant colors - while the paper on our doorstep every evening has black and white photographs that are worse than those from the 80's. Faces are muddy and dark. There is no detail available. It appears that all have been shot with available light only. A decent fill flash would make all the difference in the world. This is not directed at Jessica's work solely. Look at any group photograph that has been printed in black and white in the paper. There is room for improvement .........

Finally - to Jessica - was the image with the lightning altered in any way to enhance it?