Photographing lightning

[SlowInternet]

I'm getting so angry with myself 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

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.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Long shutter speeds in the general direction... and hope for a strike while the shutter is open. This is the only way.

 

[SlowInternet]

Long shutter speeds in the general direction... and hope for a strike while the shutter is open. This is the only way.

My luck is that everytime the shutter is open, nothing happens.....BUT I will get my picture someday....

 

[Bursty-dude]

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:

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.

 

[Bursty-dude]

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.

 

[Fudzy]

Don't you also get light triggers for DSLRs?

 

[ChrisJ]

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

Canon 7d, Sigma 10-20 @10mm, iso 100, bulb (145s), tripod mounted.

 

[Bursty-dude]

Very very nice shot Chris.

 

[APoc184]

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!

 

[bwana]

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.

I think you might need to clean your sensor.

 

[mfumbesi]

I think you might need to clean your sensor.

Saw the dust also (after reading your post). By the way Cameratek is running a free sensor cleaning service.

 

[bwana]

Saw the dust also (after reading your post). By the way Cameratek is running a free sensor cleaning service.

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.