How to photograph lightning bolts
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I waited three nights until the mini storms that circled Bucharest decided to get in my frame.I have mounted two Nikon d5100 on a tripod and a mini dolly that was laying around, set the shutter speed on Bulb and the aperture f8 on one camera and f11 on the second camera. On that dark night I have struggled to focus on the cityscape with both lenses. A sigma 15-80 and a nikkor 55-200, ok I swapped at some point to a nikkor 35mm 1.8 for comparison.
Both cameras were in position, manually focused, armed and ready for capture. I have shut all the lights and the screen of my computer to minimize the light pollution that might sometimes ruin the photos.And so with the remote in my hand the exciting chase begin under the strict supervision of the bats that were circling my window.I was feeling like a kid that was finally getting chocolate after a long craving.
Kapaaaaaaw, a powerful lightning struck over the cemetery next to my home.
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The car alarms started moaning as the earth was shaking from the powerful hit. My heart was pumping fast and the adrenalin was filling me with fear and courage at the same time. I was so close to the heart of the storm and every time a thunder was striking I was reminded how powerful nature is.
Ok, lets see the steps and examples
Step by step tutorial
Step 1:
First you have to stabilize your camera. Put it on a tripod or improvise something. If you are at home you can use books or clothes or whatever comes to mind.
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Step 2:
ISO setting : use the lowest setting your camera has available ISO 100 is the most common.
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Step 3:
Aperture: Set the aperture at F8 or F11...actually you can use any aperture setting if you want to experiment. But for now let's stick to those settings. Frame the shot and adjust the focus.
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Step 4:
Shutter speed: you should use a low shutter speed like 10’’,20’’, 30’’ or Bulb ( I prefer this mode for more control )
Most of the cameras have a “BULB” mode or “B” mode, even some smartphones. Setting the camera on this mode will allow the camera to take long exposure photos that are needed to capture lightning or some other cool effects like headlights trails or the super silky effect of cascades. Also Bulb mode allows you to decide manually how much time you want the light to enter the camera sensor.
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Step 5:
Use the shutter button or the remote, you have two options:
a.Shooting without a remote by triggering the shutter manually. In this case you should set a delayed shutter action otherwise the picture will get blurry from the tiny movement of the camera that is generated after the release. Most cameras these days have this options, 2’’ or 5’’ or 10’’ delays.
b.Shooting with a remote. Its the easy and clean way that eliminates the movement of the camera at the time of the shutter release. You can shoot with multiple cameras on a single remote. I personally tested this with 3 nikon cameras recently and it worked.
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Step 6:
All you have to do now is to click the shutter in your preferred option and wait for the lighting to strike. After it appeared on the sky you can click to close the shutter (remote Bulb mode) or if you have to use manual shutter release you should use shutter speeds from 10’’ to 30” after witch the shutter closes by itself and you have to click it again. Using a remote is quicker and cleaner.
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The short version:
1. Camera on tripod
2. ISO 100
3. Aperture. F8 or F11
4. Shutter speed: 10’’. 20’’, 30’’ or Bulb
5. Shoot with delayed shutter or with remote
6. Click, wait for thunder to appear in frame then click again to close the shutter.
7. There is no step 7 :) That's it, you have captured a lightning ! Enjoy !
I love those navy blue and purple hues around the lightning bolts, really striking photos!
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Thank you. I appreciated !!!
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amazing photo
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thank you. I hope I get the chance to take some more soon :)
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There is also an "lazy man method", if your camera (or shutter) have intervalometer ;-)
Then recipe is -> use settings as above (but set time to 30" instead of B), set 30" intervals & something like 100 frames to take.
Go watch a movie or something.
Come back when the storm is over, import images to PS as layers, set blending mode as "lighten" for all layers except background, enjoy all the lightnings in one picture ;-)
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Thanks for the tip @adamdo. I didnt know about this technique. I`ll give it a go next time !
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But don't be disappointed... it gives cool results, but no adrenaline rush at all ;-)
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@photovitamin nice tutorial!! LUV your photos by the way. Kapaaaaaawwwww lolol
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Thank you very much @soria.lee Kapaaaaaawwwww Kapaaaaaawwwww :)) LooL
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These images are utterly beautiful!! Your hardwork in capturing these images are clearly seen. Great job!!
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Thank you so much for your appreciation and nice words
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Wow! you capured amazing pictures of that lightning!
Thanks for that explanation- we had real heavy thunferstorms the past few days, I tried to capture the lightning so I just pressed the button on the phone many times untill i was lucky enough to have maybe captured one ! 😅 Im dont use my canon camera that often, still have to learn the features so thank you for these tips, ill probably try it soon! 😁🤗
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Thank you @cooknbake ! You should definitely put that Canon camera to good use. Set the parameters and have fun. Happy hunting ;)
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Excellent tutorial for lighting photography! I would just add a few tips, is that's okay:
Bonus tip: Turn off noise reduction. Some cameras' software mistake stars for noise and subsequently removes them.
Hope it helps!
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Very good points you have mentioned here and very helpful advice. It definitely helps ;)
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Nice! I’ve always loved the look of lightning shots but have never known how to photograph them. I never would have thought bulb shutter speed would do it. Like in my mind I always assumed that all the darkness from the sky while waiting for the lightning strike would drown out the split second of light you get from the bolt. Now I know! I’ll have to try this next time we have a thunderstorm!
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Glad I could help and I wish you luck in finding and capture your first lightning as soon as possible.
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Oh, yes, there is a Step 7: Have good luck, @photovitamin :)
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@lighteye Yes you are right...I waited about 3 night for the storm to face my appartment`s window :). I live in a crowded city and I am lucky that my apartment has a nice view over the city.
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I admit that I know nothing about photoshooting, but I definitely admire the captures you made of those lightnings, and adding the tutorial for providing other people the way to catch stunning images like yours, makes this post turns into a great one. Keep forward.
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Thank you for your kind words and encouragement !
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Foarte bun tutorialul si informativ! I-am dat un resteem, sper sa ajute :)
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Multumesc mult raoul ! Ajuta siguuur !
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Cu drag! :)
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Excelent tutorial. Bravo. Imi pare rau ca nu are mai multa expunere si voturi!
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Multumesc. Incerc sa il shareuiesc pe diverse canale de discord insa e ingropat de celelalte linkuri. Mai incerc, nu ma dau eu batut cu una cu doua.
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Good one, thank you for sharing. :) Now I can't wait for the summer storms to come. :)))
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Thank you @vladcraciun ! Yep Its gonna be a long wait :)))
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Nice post and great captures!!
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Thank you @asgarth
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Thank you! I'll definitely try this one! Awesome concept. Been making photography tutorials in here too!
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Thank you very much @ajcordenete. Wow you made a lot of tutorials compared to me :). I will definitely try them. Started following you already !
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Absolutely amazing shots! I do not have long exposure shots, but I will try your advice. Good luck with the contest!
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Thank you @alinabarbu ! Yes you should try it. I think it will be a very nice experience !
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nice info, thanks for sharing..
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You are welcome. I hope this info will help photography lovers and the ones that are curious about what it takes to do this type of photos.
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Great content! Voted and re-steemed!
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Thanks, Eugen ! I really appreciated.
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Amazing shots, wish I could do that with my Iphone, but i get it, you are a professional with good equipment. They are great shots and you give great instructions, for those with fancy cameras, lol ;)
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@vgc5000 Well It might be possible to do something with the iphone. All you need is a camera app probably a pro one that allows you to control the shutter speed (I realy dont know if there is such an app because I am on android) and maybe a selfie stick that can trigger the camera without you touching the phone.
I am not a professional photographer because I am not making my living making photos, I am just a hobbyist that with a passion that likes to experiment and share my results. As for the gear, well it is not expensive. you can do this type of photography with super old models that used film :). the photos are all made with Nikon d5100 that you can buy used for about 200 dollars or you can choose any other DSLR.
Its cheaper than an Iphone :)) but if your iphone shoots 4k video you could just record a video when a storm comes and take a screenshot and "voila". So I think there are some pretty inexpensive solutions for every budget. Thanks for your nice words and please let me know if you can find an app that does the things listed above. I am really curious and willing to try myself to capture lightning with a smartphone.
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thank you I appreciate such a nice response and that makes perfect sense! Never even thought of it, thanks a great idea--
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You are welcome ! I am here to help and also to learn new things myself .
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Very helpfull! Thank you
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You are very welcome and thank you for your feedback !
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Love this tutorial and the captures!
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Thank you hetty
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@originalworks
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Wonderful! Great tutorial, and awesome photos! Up and resteemed!
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Thank you so much. I am so happy that I can spread a little bit of my tiny tiny knowledge !
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No tiny at all! We all learn from each other!
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Indeed, nice to be part of this community !
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Indeed!
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Very useful post. Thank you!
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