any advice would be good

Krazy · Oct 27, 2011

I tried posting this in the beginners forum, but no one wanted to help out:

First I know lightning is a hard thing to photograph, and out of 30 strikes you are lucky to have a handful that are alright. Is there anything I can do to get better pictures of lightning strikes? Or is it a lose, lose, and a small possibly win situation?
What can I do to make these type of picture taking experiences better since they are few and far in between?

snowbear0924 · Oct 27, 2011

I haven't really tried to photograph it myself, but these came right up with a Google search:
Photography techniques: How to photograph lightning
How To Photograph Lightning
Lightning Photography Lightning Activated Camera Shutter Trigger Canon Nikon Sony Pentax Lightning Triggers Photo Tips Lightning Photo Lightning Picture Techniques Advice Help Lightening

Theres a few other posts here - just search for "lightning".

MLeeK · Oct 27, 2011

Are you shooting in full manual? They seem overexposed by a LOT for lighting photos. Which usually results from using one of the auto or assisted modes and trying to 'catch' a strike. The camera then tries to make the sky meter to much brighter than it should be.
You should be in bulb mode, aperture could be anything from f/2.8 to f/22 depending on how close it is striking. Somewhere around f/11 is a good place to start.
ISO 100 or 200. Hold your shutter open long enough to catch a strike or two...

Krazy · Oct 27, 2011

I was just using the twilight mode taking 30 second pictures. Then just got rid of the ones with no strikes in them. I'll give the bulb function a try next time there is a storm. I just learnt there is a bulb function on my D3000 the other day and cant wait to get home so i can get my attachments out for my telescope and give it a try again.
Thanks

photo guy · Nov 9, 2011

Lightening strike pictures are hard to take since every storm is different. I have some nice lightening photos without strikes and it was just by luck that I got them since it was a fast moving storm. Besides being a Vol. Fire Dept. photographer, I am also a Vol. Storm Spotter. I do take some storm photos every year but the lightening ones I got this summer without strikes turned out fairly nice. Just keep trying and you should be able to get some shots

Dao · Nov 10, 2011

I never took a lightning photos, but if I am going to do it, I will do the following.

- Camera on tripod.
- Camera set to manual mode
- ISO set to lowest
- Set aperture to f/8 to f/11
- Use Bulb mode
- Have a piece thick black cloth (dull, not shinny type) cover the lens front.
- Press the shutter and wait.
- Remove the cloth when I think it is going to strike.
- Quickly cover the lens again when done.
- If needed, remove the cloth again for more lightning on the same photo or scene exposure.
- Done and review the photo.
- Repeat the above steps.

Again, I have not try this, so not sure if it will work out.

dsquared · Nov 10, 2011

Dao said:
I never took a lightning photos, but if I am going to do it, I will do the following.

- Camera on tripod.
- Camera set to manual mode
- ISO set to lowest
- Set aperture to f/8 to f/11
- Use Bulb mode
- Have a piece think black cloth (dull, not shinny type) cover the lens front.
- Press the shutter and wait.
- Remove the cloth when I think it is going to strike.
- Quickly cover the lens again when done.
- If needed, remove the cloth again for more lightning on the same photo or scene exposure.
- Done and review the photo.
- Repeat the above steps.

Again, I have not try this, so not sure if it will work out.

I think this is it!
But, have something in mind, I was trying to catch lightning but I think the hardest problem for me is where it is going to strike... You must have a good place, somewhere opened, like a balcony near the seaside with a large view, so you can use even 180 degrees with some lens...

jwbryson1 · Nov 10, 2011

azharkhan said:
Get the general timing between strikes and area of strikes (where is the storm)
Set your tripod and shoot in Manual/Shutter or Tv with a very fast shutter.
Count down until a little before you think the lightning will strike and then burst like crazy. Repeat a few times and then review to see what you hit.

=D

Wrong. You can't "catch" a strike like this. You are much better suited in bulb mode.

photo guy · Nov 13, 2011

Your photos don't show up on this post any longer. It is hard to shoot lightining. I have some photos that I took last summer and again this summer of lightening. It was difficult to do. If you could repost the photos, I would like to see them so I could try to help you out more. I am also a Storm Spotter in my area.

DavidSutphin · Nov 25, 2011

I know I've seen a device that you can attach to your camera that fires the shutter when lighting occurs. (Sorry, don't know the name.) It would be something similar to a slave cell that fires an additional flash when it senses light from a primary flash. I haven't tried it though but it would be fun!

rastamike · Jan 22, 2012

what is the best setting to use with my fujifilm camera to film lightning??tha best i can get on it is a 8sec. exp. 8 sec. is not long as i need for lightning? or is it??
this will my first lightning storm tonight to try it out on..
any one have some advice i would like to here it....thank you..

Buckster · Jan 22, 2012

rastamike said:
what is the best setting to use with my fujifilm camera to film lightning??tha best i can get on it is a 8sec. exp. 8 sec. is not long as i need for lightning? or is it??
this will my first lightning storm tonight to try it out on..
any one have some advice i would like to here it....thank you..

There are a couple of threads that have lots of good info here: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-photo-gallery/216736-shooting-lightning.html and here: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...lery/246899-my-first-lightnening-picture.html