Lightning Pics for C&C

NC Labman · 06-10-2009, 12:22 PM

Lightning was working pretty hard north of my house last night and having never shot lightning before I thought I would give it a whirl. I wasn't sure how to approach this so I set the camera to full manual and adjusted shutter speed/aperture until the result looked right to me. Most were shot at 20 second shutter and 22 aperture. I have cropped to improve composition on some of these, but that has also made them grainy. I think the third shot is my favorite. How would you have approached differently or improved the results?

Joves · 06-10-2009, 12:29 PM

Those came out nice. Yes they are grainy but, you did catch the lightning, which was the point.

ShotGunNik · 06-10-2009, 01:35 PM

the third shot is my favorite, but I agree on the grainy look. What's your set up?

bigboi3 · 06-10-2009, 01:44 PM

I wish we had lightning storms here in Cali... great capture of them!!

NC Labman · 06-10-2009, 01:45 PM

Canon 40D with 28-135mm lens. Shot at ISO 400, focal length varied but was generally between 50 and 85mm. I shot a large portion of the sky and then cropped to achieve the composition I wanted. If I had it to do over again I would have taken a smaller section of sky so less cropping was required. I have a few more things I want to try tonight to edit them.

ShotGunNik · 06-10-2009, 01:48 PM

Oh ok nice, 40D. Great lense too! Yea, I can see how the cropping would provide more grain of a look too. I've never taken shots at night, so I'm sure its pretty challenging lol.

Yea, stuff like this is probably the ONLY reason why I miss living in Texas, great lighting storms lol.

NC Labman · 06-10-2009, 08:30 PM

I tried some noise reduction and different crops. Any better?

paulpippin29 · 06-10-2009, 09:35 PM

Yes sir, these last two are dead on I think. I've been trying to catch lightning forever now, but every time I try, it starts pouring down rain, so the camera has to be put up. These are very inspiring however, and very nice to look at. Job well done

musicaleCA · 06-10-2009, 09:58 PM

Yep, those shots are purty. Well done. And noise reduction helps. However...

It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but with long-exposures, and particularly those at night, you should shoot at the lowest ISO available. Noise is caused by stray light hitting the sensor at sideways (and other odd) angles, but it's usually not as intense as the light coming through the lens. However, the sensor will register that stray light when it enters a sensor "pixel" if the ISO is set high enough. Hope you follow...

Now, think of the amount of noise you get shooting at ISO 400, or 800, at a decently fast shutter speed; say 1/60 or 1/125. It's not bad (well, depending on the camera; on my 450D the 1600 setting is nasty), but the noise will likely be noticeable. Now think of how much more stray light gets a chance to drunkenly crash into your sensor when it's exposing for much longer, like 20 whole seconds. You'll get quite a bit more visible noise in the end result.

Furthermore, going to a lower ISO will let you stop-up the aperture a little to reduce the diffraction that starts creeping in at around f/16 on APS-C's.

KAikens318 · 06-10-2009, 10:44 PM

I really wish we had thunderstorms like that around here in NH. I would love to capture something like that. I was thinking about storm chasing at one point but I don't really live where there are severe storms! Great job!

Josh220 · 06-11-2009, 01:47 AM

Great shots. The 2 refined images are much better IMO

benlonghair · 06-11-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by paulpippin29

I've been trying to catch lightning forever now, but every time I try, it starts pouring down rain, so the camera has to be put up.

The easy answer to that is get a nice aluminum car shelter or something and shoot from under that.

(Proud graduate of the Homer Simpson School of Lightning Safety)

EDIT: Awesome pics, Labman... lightning is something that I really want to try to shoot. Now that I'm more or less done saving for a camera, I'm starting to save for a storm chasing vacation next summer.

sburatorul · 06-11-2009, 08:44 AM

what software did you use for the noise reduction? the results are great.

oops. somebody has a dirty sensor

NC Labman · 06-11-2009, 09:21 AM

I used the software that comes with Canon cameras, I believe they call it Digital Photo Professional (DPP). In addition to utilizing the noise reduction I also made the image darker. Yes - I have a dirty sensor. My project for tonight is to learn how to clean that up in my software. I want to invest in Photoshop Elements, but the budget doesn't stretch that far just yet. Maybe later in the year I can purchase it.

KAikens318 · 06-11-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by benlonghair

Quote: Originally Posted by paulpippin29

I've been trying to catch lightning forever now, but every time I try, it starts pouring down rain, so the camera has to be put up.

The easy answer to that is get a nice aluminum car shelter or something and shoot from under that.

(Proud graduate of the Homer Simpson School of Lightning Safety)

EDIT: Awesome pics, Labman... lightning is something that I really want to try to shoot. Now that I'm more or less done saving for a camera, I'm starting to save for a storm chasing vacation next summer.

Can I come on the storm chasing trip too? Lol. I have always wanted to try storm chasing.

06-10-2009, 12:22 PM	#1
NC Labman TPF Noob! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Lightning Pics for C&C Lightning was working pretty hard north of my house last night and having never shot lightning before I thought I would give it a whirl. I wasn't sure how to approach this so I set the camera to full manual and adjusted shutter speed/aperture until the result looked right to me. Most were shot at 20 second shutter and 22 aperture. I have cropped to improve composition on some of these, but that has also made them grainy. I think the third shot is my favorite. How would you have approached differently or improved the results?

06-10-2009, 12:29 PM	#2
Joves TPF Junkie! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Flagstaff/Az Posts: 1,590 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Those came out nice. Yes they are grainy but, you did catch the lightning, which was the point. __________________ I shoot therefore Iam. Nikon D300 Proud Member of the TPF My Photos Are Not OK To Edit Club

06-10-2009, 01:35 PM	#3
ShotGunNik Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: May 2009 Location: NorCal Bay Area Posts: 126 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	the third shot is my favorite, but I agree on the grainy look. What's your set up? __________________ Canon Rebel XSi w/ Kit Lense, EF28-135mm Lense, 50mm 1.8 and more to come... http://bayareafoggedout.com/forum "FOGMIC 3"

06-10-2009, 01:44 PM	#4
bigboi3 Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 205 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	I wish we had lightning storms here in Cali... great capture of them!! __________________ NIKON SQUEEGEE.PHOTOGRAPHY resident graphic artist and amateur photographer for FOGGED OUT www.bayareafoggedout.com/forum

06-10-2009, 01:48 PM	#6
ShotGunNik Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: May 2009 Location: NorCal Bay Area Posts: 126 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Oh ok nice, 40D. Great lense too! Yea, I can see how the cropping would provide more grain of a look too. I've never taken shots at night, so I'm sure its pretty challenging lol. Yea, stuff like this is probably the ONLY reason why I miss living in Texas, great lighting storms lol. __________________ Canon Rebel XSi w/ Kit Lense, EF28-135mm Lense, 50mm 1.8 and more to come... http://bayareafoggedout.com/forum "FOGMIC 3"

06-10-2009, 01:45 PM	#5
NC Labman TPF Noob! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Canon 40D with 28-135mm lens. Shot at ISO 400, focal length varied but was generally between 50 and 85mm. I shot a large portion of the sky and then cropped to achieve the composition I wanted. If I had it to do over again I would have taken a smaller section of sky so less cropping was required. I have a few more things I want to try tonight to edit them.

06-10-2009, 08:30 PM	#7
NC Labman TPF Noob! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I tried some noise reduction and different crops. Any better?

06-10-2009, 09:35 PM	#8
paulpippin29 Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 184 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	Yes sir, these last two are dead on I think. I've been trying to catch lightning forever now, but every time I try, it starts pouring down rain, so the camera has to be put up. These are very inspiring however, and very nice to look at. Job well done

06-10-2009, 09:58 PM	#9
musicaleCA TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 2,201 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 85 Times in 81 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Yep, those shots are purty. Well done. And noise reduction helps. However... It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but with long-exposures, and particularly those at night, you should shoot at the lowest ISO available. Noise is caused by stray light hitting the sensor at sideways (and other odd) angles, but it's usually not as intense as the light coming through the lens. However, the sensor will register that stray light when it enters a sensor "pixel" if the ISO is set high enough. Hope you follow... Now, think of the amount of noise you get shooting at ISO 400, or 800, at a decently fast shutter speed; say 1/60 or 1/125. It's not bad (well, depending on the camera; on my 450D the 1600 setting is nasty), but the noise will likely be noticeable. Now think of how much more stray light gets a chance to drunkenly crash into your sensor when it's exposing for much longer, like 20 whole seconds. You'll get quite a bit more visible noise in the end result. Furthermore, going to a lower ISO will let you stop-up the aperture a little to reduce the diffraction that starts creeping in at around f/16 on APS-C's. __________________ Canon 7D, 450D, EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L, EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6, EF 50mm f/1.4, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6, Speedlite 550EX, 2x 580EX II, ST-E2 - _S U P P O R T___ T H E___ P A C T_ - Flickr Model Mayhem ImageKind

06-10-2009, 10:44 PM	#10
KAikens318 Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 202 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I really wish we had thunderstorms like that around here in NH. I would love to capture something like that. I was thinking about storm chasing at one point but I don't really live where there are severe storms! Great job!

06-11-2009, 01:47 AM	#11
Josh220 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 748 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Great shots. The 2 refined images are much better IMO __________________ Current: Nikon D300 w/ MB-D10 Grip \| Nikon 12-24 f/4 \| Nikon 18-200 VR \| Nikon SB-600 \| Various lighting equipment flickr

06-11-2009, 08:39 AM	#12
benlonghair I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Woodstock, CT Posts: 533 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by paulpippin29 I've been trying to catch lightning forever now, but every time I try, it starts pouring down rain, so the camera has to be put up. The easy answer to that is get a nice aluminum car shelter or something and shoot from under that. (Proud graduate of the Homer Simpson School of Lightning Safety) EDIT: Awesome pics, Labman... lightning is something that I really want to try to shoot. Now that I'm more or less done saving for a camera, I'm starting to save for a storm chasing vacation next summer. __________________ Nikon D60 / 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR / Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR / Nikon SB-600 My Flickr Page Your life is historically meaningful / And spans a significant time. -Bad Religion

06-11-2009, 08:44 AM	#13
sburatorul I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: a place few people heard of Posts: 354 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	what software did you use for the noise reduction? the results are great. oops. somebody has a dirty sensor __________________ May the light be with you! fuji s5700 nikon d60 nikkor 18-55mm af-s nikkor 55-200mm af-s vr nikkor 50mm af-d.... so what if it doesn't have autofocus? My flicker

06-11-2009, 09:21 AM	#14
NC Labman TPF Noob! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I used the software that comes with Canon cameras, I believe they call it Digital Photo Professional (DPP). In addition to utilizing the noise reduction I also made the image darker. Yes - I have a dirty sensor. My project for tonight is to learn how to clean that up in my software. I want to invest in Photoshop Elements, but the budget doesn't stretch that far just yet. Maybe later in the year I can purchase it.

06-11-2009, 12:38 PM	#15
KAikens318 Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 202 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by benlonghair Quote: Originally Posted by paulpippin29 I've been trying to catch lightning forever now, but every time I try, it starts pouring down rain, so the camera has to be put up. The easy answer to that is get a nice aluminum car shelter or something and shoot from under that. (Proud graduate of the Homer Simpson School of Lightning Safety) EDIT: Awesome pics, Labman... lightning is something that I really want to try to shoot. Now that I'm more or less done saving for a camera, I'm starting to save for a storm chasing vacation next summer. Can I come on the storm chasing trip too? Lol. I have always wanted to try storm chasing.

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