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04/23/2006 11:51:33 PM · #1 |
Anybody else out there chasing lightning shots? Or, should I say storms in general? I spent my weekend chasing storms, and I've got a couple of questions, if anybody cares to enlighten me.
First outing I was witnessing some incredible lightning, but couldn't figure a good way of capturing it because it was daylight, and I was having overexposure problems. I lowered my aperature as low as possible f/30, but still couldn't get the required exposure time adequate for capturing.
The second problem I had was at night, and I followed the back end of the storm, and got a pretty good position on the storm itself, but I had to laugh at myself when I realized that I had to switch to Manual focus, of course because the camera wouldn't focus in the dark. Well not only the camera, but me too. I couldn't see enough inbetween strikes to focus. I did the best I could, and heres what I got.
Aside from all this I am interested in other people's outings with storms too. They fascinate me something fierce. So if anybody has some good shots and they want to post em, go for it, I would love to see them. Remember to include your tips and tricks unless your one of those secretive peeps, which is fine too. I am looking for any tips, from ways to getting position to technicals with the cam. Heres mine. Not good, admittingly so. Thanks in advance guys, goodnight.
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04/23/2006 11:57:38 PM · #2 |
| this is 100% guessing, but what about a ND filter for your daylight problems? |
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04/24/2006 12:13:26 AM · #3 |
Note to self, never start a new reply when a challege turnover will occur...I lost my reply and have to retype it :-(
I have been storm chasing for 2 years now. During the summer I load my car up with a laptop, cell phone for internet/radar, and some other toys and head out chasing with friends. Usually a really good time except for the bust days that end up being a waste of money.
Below are two pics I took on 4/18/06. The first one ended up making it on the local TV news here in MN. I used my Tamron 18-200 at f/13 and 29 secs for the first one and f/13 and 3 secs of the second one (luck). My method (right or wrong) is to look at available light and play with the manual settings depending on factors like frequency of lightning bolts, darkness, ect and go from there. I've had the most luck with long exposures with the lens set on manual infinity focus.
Edit: I should add that I just recently started shooting lightning instead of just storm chasing to try and see tornados. Now that I feel comfortable with using the camera I want to try to get some non-snap shot pics (like the State Capital or other well known buildings with lightning in the background).
//photos1.blogger.com/hello/64/9686/640/townhouses.1.jpg
//photos1.blogger.com/hello/64/9686/640/lightning2s.0.jpg
Message edited by Konador - Please don't embed large images into the forums. |
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04/24/2006 12:30:43 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by sacredspirit:
... The second problem I had was at night, and I followed the back end of the storm, and got a pretty good position on the storm itself, but I had to laugh at myself when I realized that I had to switch to Manual focus, of course because the camera wouldn't focus in the dark. Well not only the camera, but me too. I couldn't see enough inbetween strikes to focus. I did the best I could, and heres what I got. ... |
Set the lens to be focused at infinity -- the horizon, where most storm shots I've seen are, will most likely be in focus.
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04/24/2006 12:39:15 AM · #5 |
| what wonderful captures...i love to chase thunderstorms...when we get some i will let you know! |
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04/24/2006 12:59:02 AM · #6 |
I didn't set out chasing a storm or anything but it did find me. Including a tornado that left me trapped in the wilderness most of the night. I believe the total tornado count for the state ended up around 52.
Storm
Tim |
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04/24/2006 01:05:23 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by David.C:
Set the lens to be focused at infinity -- the horizon, where most storm shots I've seen are, will most likely be in focus. |
I always thought it was set at infinity and then back it off just a smidge... Please correct me if I'm wrong! |
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04/24/2006 01:44:11 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by TooCool:
Originally posted by David.C:
Set the lens to be focused at infinity -- the horizon, where most storm shots I've seen are, will most likely be in focus. |
I always thought it was set at infinity and then back it off just a smidge... Please correct me if I'm wrong! |
What I said I can not back up with technicals. All I can say is that when I was shooting night shots a few months back I found that setting the lens to infinity gave me the largest DOF (from the horizon to just a few feet in front of the lens) and ensured the scene was in focus even when I couldn't see it.
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04/24/2006 01:48:11 AM · #9 |
   
I focused on the trees when there was no lighting. Since I was using 50mm lens, and the trees were some 150m away, it might as well be an Inf.
Rest are manual settings - I shot these raw, but did not have to change the exposure by much, perhaps 1/2 of a stop, can't remember now.
I know that I set the WB to 3200K for the bluish effect. (Except that one that does not look blue).
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05/16/2006 04:56:10 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by sacredspirit:
... but couldn't figure a good way of capturing it because it was daylight, and I was having overexposure problems. I lowered my aperature as low as possible f/30, but still couldn't get the required exposure time adequate for capturing. |
If you really want daylight lightning shots check out //www.lightningtrigger.com
The bad part about storm chasing is waiting out the time between storms........I got this shot I really like the other night and now I'm glued to my local radar waiting on the next as I've scouted some new shots.
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05/26/2006 02:32:55 PM · #11 |
One comment about night shots, if the lightning is behind your foreground you can light it up with a flashlight.
In this one, i left a flashlight on inside my tent.
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05/26/2006 03:40:00 PM · #12 |
here´s how the light in the sky is in Iceland..
we don't have thunderstorms, a stray lighting appears occationally here, maby every 3rd year
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05/26/2006 03:49:43 PM · #13 |
i've supposedly got a big one coming tonight, and my cats are already acting all wierd.
wish me luck |
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05/26/2006 04:11:52 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Niten:
I didn't set out chasing a storm or anything but it did find me. Including a tornado that left me trapped in the wilderness most of the night. I believe the total tornado count for the state ended up around 52.
Storm
Tim |
AMAZING shot!! Incredible colors, thanks for sharing!!
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06/05/2006 08:04:48 AM · #15 |
| some pretty nice photos at this guys blog |
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