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06/30/2006 11:46:52 AM · #1 |
| OK, I've seen so many lightning shots on this site. How in gods name do you catch lightning if it's only visible for a fraction of a second? |
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06/30/2006 11:47:49 AM · #2 |
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06/30/2006 11:49:51 AM · #3 |
that's it? you sit and wait for it?
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06/30/2006 11:51:28 AM · #4 |
Yup. :) Helps to sit comfortably.
Seriously, set the camera for a 1 or 2 second exposure when a storm near you (not ON you) is throwing several bolts per second and you're sure to catch some. :)
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06/30/2006 11:57:16 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by smyk:
OK, I've seen so many lightning shots on this site. How in gods name do you catch lightning if it's only visible for a fraction of a second? |
A long exposure mixed in with some dumb luck. My lightning shot, linky, had a 5 second exposure time. I shot somewhere around 100 shots that night and most ended up being just nothing.
Edit to add: Just put the camera on a tripod and shoot away, you've got to get a lucky shot at some point.
Message edited by author 2006-06-30 11:57:57.
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06/30/2006 12:07:32 PM · #6 |
Expose for the sky - if conditions permit - set the time to bulb. Point at location where lightning might occur. And keep clicking.
This shot 
cost me about 3 gig and 80 shots. I got 3 shots with lightning in them and picked the best. Each exposure was 2 seconds because it was still evening.
The setting are best determined by switching to Av mode and setting the smallest possible aperture i.e. f24 - etc. Basically you want to improve your chances of getting the lightning shot by having the shutter open as long as possible. You do this by using the smallest possible ISO and the smallest possible aperture. You definitely need a tripod.
Oh yeah - it helps if you're using a wide angle lens to cover as much sky as possible and then crop to the lightning if needed later.
Edit: typo
Message edited by author 2006-06-30 12:10:11. |
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06/30/2006 12:12:49 PM · #7 |
| damn I love this community hehe. Thanks for the help. |
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06/30/2006 12:19:27 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by SamDoe1:
A long exposure mixed in with some dumb luck. My lightning shot, linky, had a 5 second exposure time. I shot somewhere around 100 shots that night and most ended up being just nothing.
Edit to add: Just put the camera on a tripod and shoot away, you've got to get a lucky shot at some point. |
I don't believe it has anything to do with dumb luck but what settings and what/where you point the camera.
I have a few in my profile (I think) and the exif data is viewable if you save to desktop and open in PS.
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06/30/2006 05:21:07 PM · #9 |
| Thought about this some more I missed one step. You need to focus correctly before you start. I think I used the sky/clouds and autofocused |
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