20 replies to this topic

[Thumper]

Had a lot of storms last month, so one night, I grabbed my camera and my tripod, and I posted up on the porch.    Caught some decent shots of God's fireworks.    Some of these were really close, and the thunder was so quick and so loud that I thought I may have soiled my drawers a couple of times.   Sure was fun though.

 

These were mostly 5-10 second exposures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(After this shot, I decided to head back into the house.  This one was close.  And loud).

 

Mind you, there are not fantastic shots, but I was aiming to more capture the actual strikes and bolts.   Next it is to post up in a great spot with a good foreground during the next thunderstorm.  (If I can muster up the courage to do it.)

 

 

So let's see your lightning pictures.

[nbanjogal]

Fun shots! I'd love to learn how to do this...any suggestions for quality tutorials? And tips for keeping drawers unsoiled are appreciated as well.

[UntamedSpirit]

Great shots. I've never been able to get a good lightning capture, always seem to just miss it, or have flash lightning wash out the pic. 

[Mark Win]

good shots thumper, the last one looks like the lightening is seeking you out . lol  'i seeeee you''

[Thumper]

good shots thumper, the last one looks like the lightening is seeking you out . lol  'i seeeee you''

LOL!!!  It certainly felt that way too!!  That was the point where I said "Okay, I think I have all the pics that I need for this round.  Time to head back indoors!".   

 

 

Here is some of the hail that came from that storm.

[Rontography]

Nice shots Thumper.

[PrettyCranium]

Nice shots.  This is a technique I would love a tutorial on.

[Thumper]

Nice shots.  This is a technique I would love a tutorial on.

Thanks!  I set up on a tripod, manual focus to infinity, opened up the aperture to max (3.5 on this lens), then ran 5 second exposures until I had captured roughly 14 strikes.  (I think I took 30+ exposures).  I don't remember what ISO I was running.   If I do it again, I will probably run 20-30 second exposures instead of 5.  That way I can capture multiple strikes.  A more experienced hand at this would probably be a better source of a tutorial than I.

 

 

I was taking these from my front porch, so I didn't get any good hardscape in the pictures for reference or composition.   A nasty thunderstorm had just rolled in and I wanted to try some lightning shots, so I ran out on the porch with my gear.  It was pure experimentation. I had no idea what to set my camera at to do this.  I just set up, set the camera at what seemed appropriate (at the time) and went at it.     After that last shot, I went back inside.   I had no desire to get zapped. 

[Mark Win]

wow, thats hail.. crikey..  the ones we get are only pea sized

[PrettyCranium]

Thanks for the mini tutorial,Thumper.

[alden]

Great pics Bun Bun!

[Guy]

Yiks! I certainly would not want to get hit in the head by those golf ball sized hail 

[alden]

Did you see this?

 

Lightning Over Kelowna BC Paul Cotton Films - October, 2013: Landscape - Gallery - NikonForums.com

[Thumper]

Did you see this?
 
Lightning Over Kelowna BC Paul Cotton Films - October, 2013: Landscape - Gallery - NikonForums.com

Awesome shot.

[alden]

I know, right?

 

I dream of making images like that.

[Travie_Melvin]

How did you capture those shots?! very nice.

[Logic 7]

Here is one

Attached Thumbnails

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[TBonz]

Nice shots...Hope I get an opportunity to try some (safely, of course) down the road...

[Pilot_Alex]

30 second exposure with a D80 and Nikkor 24mm f2.4 wide open.

[Thumper]

Nice!