Anyone know how to take pics of lightning

[Deadpilot]

So does anyone know how to take photos of lightning? Is all about timing or what. Any tips would be great.

 

[Macland]

So does anyone know how to take photos of lightning? Is all about timing or what. Any tips would be great.

Long exposures with limited additional light. I was told that you could even use bulb mode, our whatever it is on your camera, and cover the lens between lightning. I have not tried this myself yet, but this is how I understand it.

I took some pictures of fireworks and had trouble because of a street light. Oh, and a tripod is probably necessary.

 

[drbandkgb]

yeah Id think you need to keep your hands off the camera once you shoot.. bumps will blur it

 

[Deadpilot]

Hmm that gives me a starting point. Time to go play with my camera. Now just for lightning
Thanks for the advice

 

[civicjoe]

honestly Ive had the best luck with just timing it right, the long exposure stuff doesnt always work, because you could have something great and then the whole area lights up and then what you had is now gone. Aperture open all the way shutter set as fast as you can still get a well lit photo. you can usually set it on aperture priority with and the fastest shutter it will allow you'll have better luck timing it right, however this works best if you have a remote

This is from my back yard just timing man good luck

 

[civicjoe]

also these may help
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-lightning
http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/shooting/how-to-shoot-the-perfect-lightning-photograph/
http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Techniques/gr35fgui/1/How-to-Photograph-Lightning.html

 

[Deadpilot]

Ok that makes alittle more sense. I was starting to think that it would just go white due the flash of the lightning. So a tri pod and remote and then timing. Sounds like a blast.
I'll check out those sites. Thanks for info.

That's cool pic of lightning btw

 

[ymbhonk]

Very carefully

 

[dhyde79]

nope, no clue how to do lightning photography

it's MUCH easier than you think.

Tripod: Exposure Priority Mode: Burst Mode

set exposure at about 30sec, take a few pics, see how they look light-wise, adjust timing up or down...I've never gone LESS than 20 sec and anything more than about 90sec

 

[coatimundi01]

What he said^

I've only tried a few times to get some shots but I started around 25 sec and moved around. Tripod and if you don't have a remote, just use the timer on a couple second delay. Only decent shot I got last camping trip, you couldn't see the bolt but it lit the whole cloud up over the grand canyon...

 

[dhyde79]

What he said^

I've only tried a few times to get some shots but I started around 25 sec and moved around. Tripod and if you don't have a remote, just use the timer on a couple second delay. Only decent shot I got last camping trip, you couldn't see the bolt but it lit the whole cloud up over the grand canyon...
View attachment 391

agreed, only I don't remote, I use the actual button...

 

[rjr162]

I managed to photo some with my phones camera. Attempt after attempt for about 5 minutes with it doing the multi shot mode and in one series I managed to get it