Lightning Anyone?

babybluetx23

Ok after an UNSUCCESFULL attempt at lightning last night, I have GOT to ask.....HOW do you photograph Lightning? I tried several different Exposure times, I tried different Fstops, I Even went so far as to leave it on 32 Fstop, still no luck. How do you do it? how do you get that PERFECT moment? I tried to anticipate, no luck. what is the best way? I stodd at an abandoned gas station under a cover with tripod and camera pointed twords the lightning, With the remote attached so I didnt shake the camera. I used my rebel 300d and my Sigma 28-70 f2.8 lens.

chakamunga

Lightning technique

babybluetx23 wrote:

Ok after an UNSUCCESFULL attempt at lightning last night, I have GOT to ask.....HOW do you photograph Lightning? I tried several different Exposure times, I tried different Fstops, I Even went so far as to leave it on 32 Fstop, still no luck. How do you do it? how do you get that PERFECT moment? I tried to anticipate, no luck. what is the best way? I stodd at an abandoned gas station under a cover with tripod and camera pointed twords the lightning, With the remote attached so I didnt shake the camera. I used my rebel 300d and my Sigma 28-70 f2.8 lens.

I find it quite effective if you shoot the lightning using Bulb shots. A lot of times, it a hit or miss. I normally keep the aperture open(bulb) and release 1 seconds after the lightning strike. Try to use higher ISO(atleast 400) and use f8 or wider.

here are some sample of my lightning shots
http://www.pbase.com/josedreyes/image/42924863
http://www.pbase.com/josedreyes/image/42924882

gus

Gus's official lightning technique.

1/ Tripod tripod tripod tripod tripod etc (these are some of my shots)

2/ Remote (if you use your finger you will shake the tripod & thus the camera)

3/ Any lens as long as it has the coverage you want.

3.1/ Use the lowest ISO you have got...this is time lapse stuff remember.

4/ Prefocus the lens on distant light & switch it manual (so lens does not hunt when you hit the shutter remote)

5/ Set the camera to AV & close f stop down until the camera puts the shutter timing at about 20-30 seconds

6/ Shoot in RAW thus allowing you to manipulate the temperature etc etc of the photo

7/ Do all this & have a good sized memory card in. Just hit the remote & hope that you get a strike or 2 in that 20-30 sec exposure. Often you will get a blown out shot if there is too much lightning in that time frame so you can have something like a thick largish hat close by to place over the front of the lens if you dont want this to happen.

The effect of having the small f stop is that pretty well everything in the shot will be in focus. Everyone does it differently but these are the settings that i arrived at & they work best for me.

Gus

Harryb

gus wrote:

Gus's official lightning technique.

1/ Tripod tripod tripod tripod tripod etc (these are some of my shots)

2/ Remote (if you use your finger you will shake the tripod & thus the camera)

3/ Any lens as long as it has the coverage you want.

4/ Prefocus the lens on distant light & switch it manual (so lens does not hunt when you hit the shutter remote)

5/ Set the camera to AV & close f stop down until the camera puts the shutter timing at about 20-30 seconds

6/ Shoot in RAW thus allowing you to manipulate the temperature etc etc of the photo

7/ Do all this & have a good sized memory card in. Just hit the remote & hope that you get a strike or 2 in that 20-30 sec exposure. Often you will get a blown out shot if there is too much lightning in that time frame so you can have something like a thick largish hat close by to place over the front of the lens if you dont want this to happen.

The effect of having the small f stop is that pretty well everything in the shot will be in focus. Everyone does it differently but these are the settings that i arrived at & they work best for me.

Gus

So Gus I take it you think we should use a tripod for lightning shots.

mushy

All I can add is listen to Gus he knows all if you don't believe me just check his galleries for the best lightning shots you'll find anywhere!!
Am sure he won't mind a link to his site either http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/1148783

The weather report just changed here from possible thunderstorm to squalls dammit! :cry

Cinda

Great thread Cynthia - fun to see another TPF member here; and thanks for the wonderful info Gus. I'm printing it out and putting it in my camera bag!

wxwax

babybluetx23 wrote:

Ok after an UNSUCCESFULL attempt at lightning last night, I have GOT to ask.....HOW do you photograph Lightning? I tried several different Exposure times, I tried different Fstops, I Even went so far as to leave it on 32 Fstop, still no luck. How do you do it? how do you get that PERFECT moment? I tried to anticipate, no luck. what is the best way? I stodd at an abandoned gas station under a cover with tripod and camera pointed twords the lightning, With the remote attached so I didnt shake the camera. I used my rebel 300d and my Sigma 28-70 f2.8 lens.

This guy, Doug Kiesling, shoots lightning for a living. I think you'll find his tutorial extremely helpful.

One word of very serious warning: please respect lightning. It will kill you if you don't. Don't take unnecessary chances, shoot from a car or a shelter. Putting yourself in an open field is silly and dangerous. If you can see it, it can probably reach you - lightning bolts can strike as far as ten miles apart.

gus

Cinda wrote:

Great thread Cynthia - fun to see another TPF member here; and thanks for the wonderful info Gus. I'm printing it out and putting it in my camera bag!

Tks Cinda...please be aware that i have entered an update (3.1) as i forgot to mention ISO.

Gus