Nice pic!

 

Very nice! You mind sharing the post-processing steps?

 

nice shot

 

used photomatix to generate an hdri and to tone map it (using 3 raw files, each at a different exposure. i don't remember if i did +-2 or +-1.)

opened it up in camera raw (cs3). adjusted the exposure and bumped the sharpness.

here are the steps i used to make the lightning

1) create a new file (whatever size you want/need)
2) select the linear gradient tool (black/white)
3) start midway down/up and 1/4 from the left and end 1/4 from the right
4) filters > render > difference clouds
5) image > adjustments > invert
6) image > adjustments > levels
7) set the black marker about 3/4 to the right & set the right marker almost near the white marker
8) copy/paste into background file
9) set the lightning layer to "screen"
10) use the eraser to make it blend

 

you guys can view the rest of the images in my gallery on my website (see signature for link).

 

Excellent! It has that HDR look without some of the artifacts...

With a RAW file, one might be able to get away with just one

 

my website has been updated with a better tutorial on how to add the lightning.