Lightning - DPChallenge Forums

06/27/2006 09:00:54 PM · #1

So, what's the secret in taking pictures of lightinings?
It's been lightning for about the past 3 days were I live and I just can't get a picture. It's obviously either too fast of simply it doesn't show up..?
Doesn't make sense to me, but it might to some of you guys that have taken beautiful pictures of lightning..
Help an amateur!

06/27/2006 09:04:03 PM · #2

Use long exposure. Time when the lightning shows up (how many seconds after the thunder). Right before you think it's going to hit, click the shutter (I used the self timer to eliminate shake). I used f11.

edit to add: here's the picture I got

I'm sure there are much better on here, but this was my first attempt.

Message edited by author 2006-06-27 21:05:27.

06/27/2006 09:06:11 PM · #3

I did that and it didn't show up in the picture..
I thought it was odd and thought that maybe since lightning is so fast, and the exposure was long [at the time] it wouldn't capture it or something..

06/27/2006 09:07:36 PM · #4

are you using a tripod? How long is your exposure?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/27/2006 09:10:12 PM · #5

Yes, I was using a tripod..
I think it was about 8 seconds.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/27/2006 09:11:18 PM · #6

Originally posted by kdsprog:

Use long exposure. Time when the lightning shows up (how many seconds after the thunder).

The problem with this technique is, light travels faster (186,000 miles/second) than sound (5 seconds/mile), so you hear the thunder after the lightning stoke which causes it.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/27/2006 09:12:11 PM · #7

A lot of the time, it's dumb luck and timing. And as kdsprog said, you also have to use a long shutter time. That way, you not only get the lightning strike, but some of the background as well. If you had the shutter open when the lightning struck, it would have been captured. Your shutter was probably not open when the strike happened. Here's my best lightning shot that I took one night. It took nearly 100 tries to get a shot like this one, and it's still not nearly perfect.

Edit: Oh and of course, as kdsprog also said, use a tripod. It is not optional in this case.

EXIF information:
ExposureTime : 5.00Sec
FNumber : F4.0
ExposureProgram : Shutter Priority
ISOSpeedRatings : 100
DateTimeOriginal : 2005:09:21 12:29:35
ExposureBiasValue : EV0.0
MeteringMode : Division
Flash : Not fired(Compulsory)
ExposureMode : Auto
WhiteBalance : Auto
FocalLength(35mm) : 35(mm)

Message edited by author 2006-06-27 21:13:48.

06/27/2006 09:12:56 PM · #8

Try going a little longer if you can. I did 30 seconds. Also, this might seem like a weird question, but are you in the dark? I was on a completely dark porch. Don't use flash (of course). I can't think of any other reasons other than maybe you are just missing it somehow.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/27/2006 09:16:28 PM · #9

... and as per SamDoe1, it took me about 2 hours to capture that shot! In between I got either nothing of just bits and pieces depending on which way the camera was pointed.

Niten

Canon EOS-20D

06/27/2006 09:17:14 PM · #10

Just open the shutter over and over for as long as you can till you get some good streaks.

Here is one of mine.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/27/2006 09:17:16 PM · #11

Thanks..
My camera only goes till 15 second, but I will keep trying next time since it already stopped lightning.. but as I said, thanks for the advice.
Beautiful Pictures, too! From both of you.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

06/27/2006 09:20:50 PM · #12

Nitten's owns my image...what an awesome shot. 15 seconds might not even be necessary. It all depends on the surroundings, mine was only 5 seconds because it was in the middle of downtown Milwaukee.