Incredible Photos Capture Powerful Lightning Storms Over Volcano Eruptions

Francisco Negroni Volcano Photography

Chilean landscape photographer Francisco Negroni is known for his incredible images showing extreme weather conditions. His work grabbed international attention in 2011, when his photographs of the Cordón Caulle eruption went viral and earned him several awards. Negroni's photography is unique for its ability to crystalize powerful moments in nature, showing its fiery energy in an artistic manner.

Negroni was working as a photo reporter, covering political news, when he happened to come upon the Llaima volcano eruption in 2008. Though he wasn't able to photograph the moment, the eruption piqued his interest and caused him to switch directions with his career. “It was so little what I saw of that eruption,” he tells My Modern Met. “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.”

While his technique varies according to the eruption, he mainly focuses on long exposures to pull out the detail and intensity of the event. Some of his most striking images depict dirty thunderstorms, which occur when lightning is produced in the volcanic plume. The phenomenon is caused by the collision of ash, rock, and ejecta, which produces static electricity. Studies have shown that dirty thunderstorms are present 27% to 35% of the time, making Negroni's work all the rarer.

Negroni continues to travel around Chile in order to achieve the best possible images of volcanic activity, even leading photo tours around the country. “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.”

Francisco Negroni is known for his stunning photos of volcano eruptions around Chile.

Francisco Negroni Extreme Weather Photography

Francisco Negroni Landscape Photography

Francisco Negroni Extreme Weather Photography

Francisco Negroni Volcano Photography

Francisco Negroni Extreme Weather Photography

Francisco Negroni Landscape Photography

Francisco Negroni Volcano Photography

Francisco Negroni: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Francisco Negroni.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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