How to photograph lightning bolts

photovitamin (56)in #photofeed • 7 years ago (edited)

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 !