Sweet Lightning Shots

jasonneel · Jun 4, 2011

Fleacz · Jun 5, 2011

hey how did you do this? I've been wondering how people do these shots, im assuming its dumbluck if the lighting strikes in front of the camera's view, but what about the rest? what f/stop and shutter speed did you use ?

D-B-J · Jun 5, 2011

Fleacz said:
hey how did you do this? I've been wondering how people do these shots, im assuming its dumbluck if the lighting strikes in front of the camera's view, but what about the rest? what f/stop and shutter speed did you use ?

Typically you use the "bulb" setting for your shutter speed, a mid aperture, and a low iso. The idea is to leave the shutter open until lightening strikes, then close the shutter soon after. This way, you get a beautiful lightening shot. Well, that's the principle at least.

Regards,
Jake

D-B-J · Jun 5, 2011

And as for critiques, it looks like the first one could have used a smaller aperture, because the main bolt is way blown out. And the second on is better, but slightly underexposed. Still, a good start. Keep shooting!

deepsixphoto · Jun 5, 2011

D-B-J thank you for your description of how to get a good lightning shot! That was extremely helpful!

mwcfarms · Jun 5, 2011

I also found that if you are having problems timing the lighting, during your next lighting show set up your camera and take one pic every thirty seconds or so. I just sat in a chair with my beer. camera on tripod and hit the remote every now and again. Was lucky enough to get a few shots. Bulb is good for getting multiple strikes but I haven't had much chance to shoot any this year seeing as how we had snow till 3 weeks ago still hitting the ground. Storm season is soon.

Jasoneel nice attempts at lighting. Pretty decent attempt. I would crop number one into a vertical next time I think that would have really focused on the strikes.

Fleacz · Jun 5, 2011

what is the "bulb" setting ?? should i buy a trigger then ? cause i dont have one and if i have to hold the button down until lighting strikes then wouldnt my hand shake the camera a bit ?

jasonneel · Jun 5, 2011

You know, it's kind of funny.... I DID sit out on the porch for about an hour with a nice cold one doing this MWCFARMS, nice insight, lol. Yeah, I still have a point and click, a LUMIX dmc-zs7 and it has a night shot mode which does keep the shutter open for 15/30/60 seconds at a time. I leave it there for 15 seconds only and after a nice strike hits I put my hand over the lens until the timer runs out so I don't get any more light in, ha ha. It's a bit goofy but it seems to works. Thanks for the critique, helpful for the next storm which I wish would be soon! Someone told me the overblown bolt looks like space **** beaming someone up, lol.

mjbine · Jun 6, 2011

Here is a video about shooting lightning.
Shooting Lightning

adamsimsphotography · Jun 7, 2011

Fleacz said:
what is the "bulb" setting ?? should i buy a trigger then ? cause i dont have one and if i have to hold the button down until lighting strikes then wouldnt my hand shake the camera a bit ?

When I try to photograph lightning at night, I will set the camera to bulb setting and use a wireless remote to trigger the shutter. I then run back to the car and wait until a strike. Finally, I run back to the camera and press the button on the remote and see what I got. This way I don't have to hold the button down the whole time (or risk getting fried). Hope I was helpful

ShutUpHippie · Jun 16, 2011

I've found that even if it's too light to use a long exposure via "bulb," (ie evening, urban area, etc...) just bring the ISO down, close the aperture a bit more, and set it anywhere between a 1-30 second exposure. Then you point it where the lightning is most frequent and, if possible, lock your remote into continuous shooting mode (mine has a slide-over catch over the shutter release). As light conditions diminish, decrease your shutter speed until its max (30 seconds on mine) before you start cranking your aperture open.

Also, some other tips:
If the lightning is in the rain, forget it. Not only do you not want to expose your equipment to the elements, but each raindrop reflects the light from the bolt, flooding the picture and making a great white blob.

Stay close to shelter. 4 times at last count I've just gotten under shelter or in my car before my surroundings got dramatically bright and loud in the same instant. Once I actually saw it strike the light pole 5 feet from my car before I'd even gotten the door shut. If you feel goosebumps rising up, hair standing up on your arms, or a tickling on your neck, RUN. Lightning is about to strike very close.

One technique that I use that can be critiqued and argued freely: I'll usually use my wide lens, cranked all the way out to 18mm. The way I figure it: The more area covered in the shot, the better my chance of capturing a strike. Shooting with 10mp, cropping isn't an issue as long as it's not much bigger than for an 8x10 or smaller poster. With a 20mp, it would be even better!

Last bit of advice: Find either a heavier tripod or something to put on its legs for weight. I've had many an outflow boundary (strong gusty winds just ahead of the main storm) shake my light tripod, screwing up the shot.

So remember, stay outside of the storm and shoot into it (best chance for capturing dry lightning), stay close to shelter because lightning really hurts (you don't want to visit the Lightning Strike Survivors convention in Pigeon Forge, TN every year), and don't do anything stupid (trespass, stop in the middle of the road, move too far from your car into a field, etc... all things I've done) to try and get the good shot. You can't share the fruits of your efforts if you're dead!