Need help taking pictures of lightning!

[Boombeat]

Hey all,

Yesterday i tried taking pictures of lightnings for the first time as a large thunderstorm was approaching Malta. I used Magic Lantern's motion detection , which takes a picture whenever exposure changes on the Live View screen to trigger the camera . I shot at f9.0 ,ISO 160 with an exposure time of 20-30 seconds. Most of the pics didn't turn out great as some where overexposed and others where under exposed . Another storm is heading straight for us and i want to retry shooting some nice lightning again today . Some tips and constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

Here are some of the pictures(these are not the original as they where taken from facebook, hence their low quality)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83900407@N08/7922871324/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83900407@N08/7922877708/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83900407@N08/7922883930/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83900407@N08/7922890112/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83900407@N08/7922894892/in/photostream/

 

[tirediron]

Actually, I think you did reasonably well. Lightning is a VERY difficult subject to shoot. You might want to invest in something like this which will help to some degree, at least as far as the timing goes.

 

[CanonJim]

The one technique I've used for taking a couple of lightning shots is this:
1) tripod
2) 20 to 30 second exposure
3) f/8 or so
4) ISO 100

If you get a bunch of air-to-air lightning in the clouds, yeah, you can get some overexposed shots at longer shutter-open times. But if it's sufficiently dark around, and you get a couple of good air-to-ground strikes, you'll be in good shape.

I sometimes set my Yello shutter controller to just take 50 shots, of 20 seconds apiece, 3 seconds apart, and then go read a book or something. The lazy photographer..:mrgreen:

Just delete the junk that doesn't show anything good. But be careful where you shoot. I can set my camera up under an overhang where it and I are in no danger. I wouldn't try this out on a mountain top somewhere, or YOU'RE liable to show up in someone else's landscape shot of the mountain top, as that big bright flash that looks almost like someone on fire...

 

[gryffinwings]

That isn't bad for lightening, maybe your system just needs a little tweeking, is there any adjustments you can make with magic lantern?

 

[Boombeat]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

@tirediron - I think ML's motion detection did a pretty good job as there where so much lightnings that it was nearly impossible not to get a couple in a 20 second exposure!

@CanonJim - Most of the lightnings where air to air infact , i was scared and didn't like the fact that i was on the roof while there was a giant thunderstorm LOL , but unfortunately i couldn't leave the camera alone due to rain. Luckily i didn't get fried LOL! The idea of using magic lanterns intervalometer and go have some tea passed from my mind but as i told you i was afraid that it would rain at any moment.

@gryffinwings - With magic lantern you can do all the things you do with canon firmware but it gives you alot of extra features like more iso controls etc

 

[zoya12]

The digital SLR with the optiplex technology must do the trick for you. Also you can use transparent sheets and water proof lenses for the same purpose.

 

[PlanetStarbucks]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I think ML's motion detection did a pretty good job as there where so much lightnings that it was nearly impossible not to get a couple in a 20 second exposure!

Yeh, but multiple strikes in one shot can sometimes be a big improvement. Like this one (not my work, hence the link)

Great Salt Lake, Utah; Energizer Bunny, "Shot 10" Temper, Temper! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[j-digg]

^ If I'm reading his description correctly, that's 8 images stacked. Which is something you could also look into doing, op. If you don't consider it cheating of course

 

[scorpion_tyr]

If you're on Facebook click the link in my signature, I posted my method in the comments on the lightning picture.

 

[unpopular]

hmmmmmm one could theoretically build a lightning sensor and have it trigger the camera:

bildr » High Sensitivity Light Sensor TSL230R + Arduino

 

[PlanetStarbucks]

hmmmmmm one could theoretically build a lightning sensor and have it trigger the camera:

bildr » High Sensitivity Light Sensor TSL230R + Arduino

somebody beat you to it:

Ubertronix Strike Finder lets you take pictures of lightnings, popping balloons and even speeding bullets | Photo Rumors