Lightning strikes the Willis Tower following a severe thunderstorm as seen from Solidarity Drive, Monday, June 30, 2014.

When I first captured lightning striking the antennae of Chicago’s Willis (Sears) Tower late in the season last September, I immediately made it a goal to capture that image again, but from a cleaner angle and with a cleaner lens!

That first shoot was the result of me being caught downtown in a downpour while visiting a gallery opening. I had no tripod, no cable release, and had to brace my Canon 6D against a tent pole to stabilize it. When I finally hand-timed the image of the lightning strike, water drops had covered my lens and, in my opinion, marred my image.

Fast forward to this lightning season. Each time conditions have been favorable, I’ve geared up and journeyed downtown with the hopes of redeeming myself, and yesterday did not disappoint. I captured lightning hitting the Willis Tower not once, not twice, but three times