How d'ya shoot lightning pix?

[olroy2044]

A couple of nights ago, we were treated to one of the most intense lightning storms I have ever seen here in Chico. Fortunately, it was accompanied by torrential rains, so even 'tho many fires were started, the rain put them right out.

Did not have a camera of any sort ready to shoot , so got a cup of coffee and enjoyed the show.

Then I realized I didn't have a clue how to shoot lightning pix. Can't believe I've never done it, but there you are!

Any suggestions? Ol(dumb!)Roy

[PeterW]

Hi Roy,

The accepted method of shooting lightning pics at night is to put the camera on a tripod, set the shutter on B, or even T, open it after one flash and close it after the next one. If you want a display, leave it open for several flashes. It doesn't work with sheet lightning but with single-strike or forked lightning you get quite an image.

I haven't tried it for years, but it worked OK for me way back when I was shooting black and white, probably FP4. Can't remember the aperture. Not sure if it would work during daylight.

PeterW

[Deleted]

It's a lot like shooting the moon. You need to stop down more than you would think. Bolts of lightning are bright enough it should be possible to record them during daylight hours shooting at very low ISO.

[olroy2044]

Thanks, Wayne and Peter. The forecast indicates I might have another chance tonight. Will try some shots if it happens. Roy

[galenk]

set your aperture at f16 and you should get some good shots. use a cable release if you have one and set camera to B. Kodak film will give a slight orange cast while Fugi film will tend to be more on the purple side

[olroy2044]

Hi Galenk! Good to see you posting! Thanks for the tip--the expected storm didn't materialize last night. What speed film should I try? Roy

[galenk]

that f16 is for 400 film, if you use 100 you will need to open up to around f8. also depending on distance you may want to try f11 (400) and f5.6 (100) for the far away shots. Glad I could help , I used to shoot a lot of lightning and would post picks but do not have a way to scan slides right now.

Galen

[galenk]

I did find this one taken with a Minolta x700 on 400 film in day light with a 50mm lens at f22 with 2 polarizing lenses stacked on so I could get an exposure of 15 sec



P.S. you will waste a lot of film this is one of about 10 shots I took that day.

[PeterW]

That's a superb shot, galenk. Much, much more spectacular than anything I ever got on FP4.

Maybe you get more spectacular lightning on the wide prairies of Kansas that we do in our tight little island ?

PeterW

[galenk]

It does help when you can see for 20 miles in all directions from the top of a high hill ;D that's my home town down there. pop 285

[olroy2044]

Beautiful shot, Galen! If I can even come close, I'll be happy. Doesn't look like I'll have a chance for a while. Roy

[Randy]

Galen, that shot is fantastic!!!

[Deleted]

Peter:

Trust me. It is very unlikely that you have EVER heard or seen lightning anywhere in the U.K. that rivals what is seen on or Great Plains on an almost daily basis at certain times of the year. It is loud, spectacular and a little frightening.

Wayne

[galenk]

Thanks for the praise, all this talk made go out and try to get some pics of a storm thet rolled through last night.

I didn't have much luck though I might have gotten 1 or 2 keepers, I'll see when I get it developed .

[PeterW]

Wayne,

It is loud, spectacular and a little frightening.

Just been reading up about lightning. The sort of lightning you get on the Great Plains of the US and Canada, and the power it unleashes, is more than a little frightening ... it's bloody frightening. I gather that around 100 people a year are killed by lightning strikes in the US. It makes you realise, yet again, that no matter how clever we think we are, and despite our sophistication with awesome weapons of destruction, the power we can unleash is puny compared with the power in nature should it decide to turn against us.

I'm very glad I live in a country where lightning, hurricanes, earthquakes and other 'natural' disasters are mild indeed compared with some parts of the world.

PeterW