Photographing lightning

SlowInternet

SlowInternet

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I'm getting so angry with myself :mad: I know it must sound crazy but I always wanted to take some good lightning strike photos. At the moment we are having the most wonderful lightning strikes and I cannot take a picture.

I'm always to late on the shot :mad:

But as they say everything takes time and patience......one day is one day and I will get my photo....as twisted as it sounds.
 
Long shutter speeds in the general direction... and hope for a strike while the shutter is open. This is the only way.
 
Patience is key.

I usually take between 30 and 40 long exposure (30 seconds) shots and will get between 10 and 15 decent shots.

One of mine from a storm here in Pta on the 5th January 2012:

IMG_3997.jpg


Canon 7D, Canon EF-S10-22mm lens (on 10mm), ISO100, shutter 30 seconds, f22, tripod mounted, manual focussing, picture cropped to remove trees and house roof in foreground.
 
Add to my previous post, there are lighning-detecting shutter releases available on the Net, do a search for them, or the cheaper option is obviously the patience route.
 
If you are doing it at night, set a low ISO (100-200) and aperture around f/8 and set the camera to bulb, lock the shutter open and wait for lightning. I just about always use my 10-20mm at 10mm so that I can catch as much lightning as possible. As Bursty-Dude said, patience is the key, I have sat in the Drakensberg watching storms approach then only for them to change direction. If you are doing long exposures, make sure you are using a sturdy tripod

IMG_0313.jpg

Canon 7d, Sigma 10-20 @10mm, iso 100, bulb (145s), tripod mounted.
 
Perfect storm in Pretoria for lightning photography!

Unfortunately our home is situated in a pretty crappy spot if you want to take these type of photos! Only one opening big enough between the other houses to get some sort of skyline!

I was outside for about 5min and only got time for about 5 exposures. Got really wet and decided to rather go inside. My camera is not weather sealed!

I got this one okay shot!

29b996a6-7bfe-e805.jpg
 
Bursty-dude said:
Patience is key.

I usually take between 30 and 40 long exposure (30 seconds) shots and will get between 10 and 15 decent shots.

One of mine from a storm here in Pta on the 5th January 2012:

[]http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad313/skully70-2/IMG_3997.jpg[/IMG]

Canon 7D, Canon EF-S10-22mm lens (on 10mm), ISO100, shutter 30 seconds, f22, tripod mounted, manual focussing, picture cropped to remove trees and house roof in foreground.
Click to expand...
I think you might need to clean your sensor.
 
mfumbesi said:
Saw the dust also (after reading your post). By the way Cameratek is running a free sensor cleaning service.
Click to expand...
I didnt realise they were still offering the free clean - iirc the original plan was just for the holiday season.

Everyone should have a sensor pen and a good blower in their bag. They make short work of all but the most stubborn stains.
 
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