| Author | Thread |
|
|
02/21/2005 04:17:23 AM · #1 |
Has anyone out there got some advice on how to capture some lightning photo's. There is a lot of activity this time of year and I am battling to get the shots clear.
Thanks |
|
|
|
02/21/2005 05:31:52 AM · #2 |
I think your best shot is to go some where dark and leave the shutter open for a couple of minutes at the time, or for a long while..
Not sure i never done it but i would assume that that̢۪s the way to go
|
|
|
|
02/21/2005 10:08:39 AM · #3 |
When you have a lot of activity, all you need is a tripod. Keep the shutter open as long as you can, and you'll get something. That's how I got both of these:
 
But, I was lucky in two ways: 1, I didn't die. 2, There was so much lightning, I got scores of shots that came out great.
Using shutter priority set to my camera's max of 30 seconds, I let the camera meter for the night scene w/o the lightning, and didn't worry about the blown highlights in the lightning itself.
Good Luck!
|
|
|
|
02/21/2005 10:18:36 AM · #4 |
I was reading about this a while ago & found a website (i'll have a look to see if i can find it again for you) with loads of tips. I just remember the first tip:
DONT DO IT - you could die!
Kinda dampened my enthusiasm... |
|
|
|
02/21/2005 10:21:27 AM · #5 |
| I'm guessing you should also have focus set to infinity? I think that's what ppl here were reccommending when taking fireworks photos so I assume the same rule applies? |
|
|
|
02/21/2005 10:29:08 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by davidx76:
I'm guessing you should also have focus set to infinity? I think that's what ppl here were reccommending when taking fireworks photos so I assume the same rule applies? |
My understanding is that you want it focused just under infinity... At least that's why I was told all my aurora shots came out just a tad soft...
Message edited by author 2005-02-21 10:29:49.
|
|
|
|
02/21/2005 10:52:59 AM · #7 |
I tried it for the first time, and found it quite easy. But you have to be a little lucky, I took over 100 shots for only 2 good images. Just set the exposure long enough to capture what u want. As there is no such thing as a striking time pattern (does this expression make sense at all), try to set it for over 15 secs. |
|
|
|
02/21/2005 11:08:15 AM · #8 |
Our local camera club had a speaker this month who is a storm chaser, and he gave us these tips:
find a storm
point the camera, on a tripod, toward the storm
focus on infinity
ISO 100
f/8
4 to 8 seconds for urban shots (depending on light from buildings and streets)
use a remote shutter release
In the case that you're witnessing a storm without your tripod, set your exposure for a decent hand-held speed, and aim in the storm's direction and click when you first see the lightning. He stated that it comes in pulses, so you'll miss the first bolt, but catch the next one sometimes.
He's not a fine-art photographer, but he has some good captures. In other words, you may need to refine his process a little to get what you want.
Here's his web page.
|
|
|
|
02/21/2005 11:26:56 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by wkmen:
find a storm
point the camera, on a tripod, toward the storm
focus on infinity
ISO 100
f/8
4 to 8 seconds for urban shots (depending on light from buildings and streets)
|
I found that the pics i took using higher ISO looked better! |
|
|
|
02/21/2005 11:33:17 AM · #10 |
I used ISO 100 at f/3.5 and focused at infinity. I probably wouldn't use f/3.5 knowing what I know now. At the time these shots were taken I didn't have a cable release so I set my camera for the max, 30s, and just waited. Find an active place and stay put. I was impatient and kept pointing in different directions and every time I did I would miss a nice one. So, be patient and have fun! :-)
That last one just about made me blind! lol
More here.
|
|
|
|
02/22/2005 12:33:45 AM · #11 |
Wow I really like those! When I saw the date of your shots, I had to check mine to see if it might be the same storm. :)
|
|
|
|
02/22/2005 12:37:21 AM · #12 |
|
|
|
02/22/2005 12:39:03 AM · #13 |
your photos are awesome. I am so scared of storms i wouldnt be caught out in it at all.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/15/2025 09:56:45 AM EDT.
