Lightning Shots From a Horizon

[pixelharmony]

If anyone here is from Chicago they've probably been seeing the lightning all night long. I took a few shots from my condo looking towards the city.

http://pixelharmony.net/gallery/_EPK0846.jpg


http://pixelharmony.net/gallery/_EPK0909.jpg


http://pixelharmony.net/gallery/_EPK0919.jpg

[BrokenMirrors]

I enjoy the 1st picture the best, the 2nd and 3rd photos had too much clouds (I was going to say dead space but there is something there) for my taste.

-Cheers,
BM

[Maxxum5]

Very nice..... Do you have some tips to share for photographing lightening? Where I am, there are massive lightening storms during "Monsoon season" and although I know a tripod and shutter relaease are necessary, how does one hope for a "good shot"? Zoom out, point in "favorable direction" and then what?

Thanks

[pixelharmony]

Lucky for me lightening was striking frequently.

I shoot on manual, keep my shutter open for 5 seconds and underexpose by 1.5ev. You have to match and configurate to do what works best for you. Given that I only had a 50mm lens and the storm was moving southbound I couldn't get nice shots, but I didn't think these were half bad.

[silvrr]

Lucky for me lightening was striking frequently.


90,000 strikes reported in Northern Illinois that night and reports said there were 800 a minute during the peak of the storm. I didnt think to get my camera out after it passed out into the lake. Wish I would have.

[Spacemunkie]

The framing of the horizon really gives the shots a sense of scale. I really like 'em :)

First is defo the strongest.