PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES RARE AND INCREDIBLE PHOTOS OF POWERFUL LIGHTNING STORMS OVER VOLCANO ERUPTIONS

Landscape photographer Francisco Negroni has brought something new to the field of landscape photography. Negroni is well known for his incredible images showing extreme weather conditions and breathtaking images of natures volcanic eruptions. 

Back in the day, Negroni was working as a photo reporter, covering political news. During a story he came upon the Llaima volcano eruption in 2008, which sparked his love for photographing eruptions. He soon after changed directions in his career.  

“It was so little what I saw of that eruption. But it was enough for me to feel something strange and motivate me to be aware of the next eruption and travel to take pictures of it. Seeing that eruption was my real motivation to start in this world of eruption photography.”

In 2011, his photographs of the Cordón Caulle eruption grabbed international intention which earned him several awards. Negroni's photography is unique for its ability to capture each powerful moments in nature.  

With each eruption Negroni’s technique varies but his main focus is on long exposures to pull out the detail and intensity of the event. Some of his most impressive and striking images are of dirty thunderstorms. The lightning is produced in the volcanic plume which is caused by the collision of ash, rock, and ejecta, which produces static electricity. 

What makes Negroni’s work even more special is how rare his object of interest is seeing that studies have shown that dirty thunderstorms are only present 27% to 35% of the time.

In order to achieve the best possible images of volcanic activity, Negroni continues to travel around Chile. “I will continue trying to show eruptions in all their magnitude and hope that the world, in general, continues to be surprised with my photographs.”

Check out some breathtaking photos of volcano eruptions.