Lightning?

[isobar]

Okay, So here I go. I am a complete newby when it comes to taking pictures of a storm so I need help from you experts. First of all I assume that you would use a manual setting with manual focus? Other than that I have NO clue. Also if you are using manual focus in total dark, how can you tell if it is in focus. I live out in the boonies and have zero ambient light around. Thanks.

[DDA]

You will find in this post my sole attempt (for the time being ;-) ) at lightning pictures: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185746

I focused around the buildings, but left the switch on AF (I am using custom function). If you use your shutter button to actuate, the AF, you may want to turn the AF off. Then, it's just a matter of luck in catching a lightning in one of your pictures. Try first with ~15s exposures.

I hope this helps. Don't hesitate to ask more questions. We are all here to learn by helping each other ;-)

Oh, and welcome to the forum!!

[ron chappel]

Hi Isobar
Firstly you'll have to find some way of focussing.Obviously both AF or MF are not possible unless you have something bright to focus on.If there are no farmhouses nearby with lights on then you may be able to focus on the horizon (which usually has a bright halo in a lightning storm).
If nothing like this is possible then you'll just have to use trial and error.
i.e- take a shot of lightning -check it on the screen,adjust focus,take another shot etc. Very clumsy but maybe it will be the only choice:(
Once you have the focus right it can be left alone (unless the lighting comes REALLY close -then focus will be the last thing on your mind,trust me;);))

Exposure will be your next challenge.Start out with something like ISO100,f8,20 secs and adjust from there.Lightning is actually VERY easy to shoot because the shutter speeds can be so flexable.It's impossible to 'overexpose' because the actual streaks will overexpose no matter what settings you use (you want them like that)
So basically you set the shutter speed as long as you want but not so that the landscape becomes too bright.The longer the shutter speed,the more flashes you can capture in each image;).Use ISO to fine tune shutter times if you like.
Anything up to ISO400 is ok,above that might not be so good

[Jim_T]

There's a trick I figured out using a remote shutter release.

Once you get the camera set up to take 15-30 second proper exposures, switch the camera from single shot to continuous mode. Plug in the remote and then lock the remote shutter release button.

This will cause the camera to shoot continuous, back to back long exposures until you unlock the remote button or the memory card fills up. All you have to do is sit back and watch the camera do it's thing.

I've managed to capture some good lighting shots while I was talking on the phone :)

[Epluim]

The focusing is always my problem. Of course I don't usually have a great place from which to shoot.

[DDA]

There's a trick I figured out using a remote shutter release.

Once you get the camera set up to take 15-30 second proper exposures, switch the camera from single shot to continuous mode. Plug in the remote and then lock the remote shutter release button.

This will cause the camera to shoot continuous, back to back long exposures until you unlock the remote button or the memory card fills up. All you have to do is sit back and watch the camera do it's thing.

I've managed to capture some good lighting shots while I was talking on the phone :)

That's what I used too ;-)

[S Taylor]

I agree with most of what Ron has written, but would caution about running too long of an exposure... especially if using 200 or 400 ISO. This will also vary with DSLR, but you can end up with a decent amount of noise with longer shutter speeds if you don't get good exposure on the shot. I prefer shorter shutter speeds, but that's because I prefer to be much closer to the action.

I posted a couple of shots I captured this past Monday night in the nature forum, and also provided some tips and feedback to some questions that came up.

Here is the link:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=204095

WT

[isobar]

Would you use a manual setting or one of the custom settings?

[picturecrazy]

One of my colleagues rigged up an optical slave to trigger his camera. Apparently the lightning was able to trigger his optical slave attached to a pocketwizard, which was wired to remote release his camera. He said it didn't work with all optical slaves though.

[S Taylor]

One of my colleagues rigged up an optical slave to trigger his camera. Apparently the lightning was able to trigger his optical slave attached to a pocketwizard, which was wired to remote release his camera. He said it didn't work with all optical slaves though.

I've heard of triggers like this, but they wouldn't serve any use for lightning during dark hours, since the scene wouldn't be exposed. A trigger would be handy for daytime lightning though.

[S Taylor]

Would you use a manual setting or one of the custom settings?

Definitely go manual. Like Ron said, your biggest challenge will be achieving proper focus. If you have the EF 17-40 f/4L, a lot of time you can get by with setting the focus at infinity and tweaking from there if necessary. Once you get your focus set, figure out the proper shutter speed and aperature, preferably from f/5.6 to f/11, and try to use your lowest ISO if possible. Each lightning event will have varying factors, mainly ambient lighting, that will effect your exposure settings.

William
(edit: re-worded)

[isobar]

Awesome, Thanks for all the great information. Now all I have to do is WAIT for the next storm to roll through.:rolleyes:

[S Taylor]

Awesome, Thanks for all the great information. Now all I have to do is WAIT for the next storm to roll through.:rolleyes:

The waiting is always a painful process for storm chasers/severe weather photographers. Spring is too short and takes too long to get here!

Good luck!
WT

[photoshooter]

ok heres 1 i did last week usen a 20d with a sigma 70-200 2.8 on iso H hand held at 1/20 i think not sure

[S Taylor]

A handheld lightning capture?? Wow. Pretty lucky timing eh? Well, considering the circumstances and lens used, nice catch!!

WT

[Brad Gosse]

I shot this in TV mode with a tripod and remote switch.

I was in an ocean view suite and used a 100-400mm lens focused to inifnity, took several 30 sec exposures and hoped for lightning.

http://www.stockimagelab.com/post/lightning.jpg

[HoRnYTuRbO]

Nice!!!!

[Brad Gosse]

Thanks :) I am pretty proud of that one.

[WxGuesser]

Brad... thanks for my new background! :D

[Brad Gosse]

Full res shot here: http://www.stockimagelab.com/desktops/lightning.jpg

[R Hardman]

Whoa. You could almost see the water boiling. Nice shot.

photoshooter - Nice shot also. Pretty sharp for handheld and telephoto.

[photoshooter]

this is my first try both these shots i stopped on the side of the road and shot same set up as the other

[PhotosGuy]

Would you use a manual setting or one of the custom settings? I'd use M.
Probably @ f/16 ...how can you tell if it is in focus. I live out in the boonies and have zero ambient light around. Not even one house light in the distance to focus on? Then I'd focus in the evening, put the lens on MF, & tape the focus ring.
Lightning shots are fun to play with. Got PS?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20General/Lightningtornado.jpg

[stevieboy378]

I got a few lightning shots from my hotel balcony in Sorrento recently. I didn't have a tripod, so I sat the camera on a tabletop.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8818/lightning01jm2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/405/lightning02ln6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Shortly after I got the 2nd capture the heavens opened, so I beat a hasty retreat to the comfort of the bar . . . .