allencg Loc: Burnsville, MN

I've been trying to capture a good lightening shot, but I never seem to be in the right place at the right time.
Anyone have any tips (not including holding a nine iron in the air)
This is the best I've been able to come up with, and it really doesn't capture the "spark". It's just a reflection of the lightening in the clouds.
Please share your best lightening shot and talk about how you captured it.

Pretty weak lightening. Looking for better.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Ugly HedgeHog FAQ: How To Photograph Lightning
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-31042-1.html

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

for my part you have a dandy capture there.

Time consuming and relying on luck, What I do is leave the shuitter open ( on tripod, self timer 30 sec shutter stopped down to 5.6 or 8) and repeat.

all it takes is one or two strikes to make a great image.
Being away from the storm helps.

allencg Loc: Burnsville, MN

Thanks Nikonian72. I'm new here, and I'm still discovering the resources available on HH. Thanks for the links.

allencg Loc: Burnsville, MN

Thanks, Bruce with a Canon (Sounds dangerous).
It looks like I need to just get some experience, and thanks for your comment about the distance. I guess that's critical when you're shooting lightening.

Uriah

Could invest in a lightening trigger for your hot shoe.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Check out this site. I have the trigger and it works http://www.aeophoto.com/

allencg Loc: Burnsville, MN

Thanks mborn, I didn't know such a product existed. You say it works pretty well?

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

www.lightningtrigger.com, $99.00 and works great

PlushToy Loc: Nebraska

I use the camera axe.
http://www.cameraaxe.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Hando Rei Loc: Long Island New York

Allen cg ...I like what you were able to get ...nice shot !

Nevada Chuck

Assuming that you don't want to spend the $300-plus dollars for a gizmo that's made for no other purpose than to trip your shutter when a lightening bolt flashes, try this:

First off, your chances will be inhanced if the thunderstorm occurs on a moonless night, so ambient light will be at a minimum and allow for keeping the shutter locked open in "B" setting for maximum time without over-exposing everything else in the photo.

Other info: start out with lens wide open, focus at infinity. (Not all the way turned against the stop; this is usually a small amount past infinity, and could effect overall sharpness of the shot.)

Once everything is set up, watch the sky for a minute or so, to get a sense of how ofter the lightening is occuring. When you think it's about to strike, lock the shutter open (camera on a tripod, obviously) and wait. If you haven't gotten anything in twenty seconds or so, close the shutter and repeat. You have a little time to play with, but remember that storms generally move along at a few miles per hour, so you don't have all night.

Good Luck (which is the last ingredient in getting lightening shots.)

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Best I can addat this point is 1) be Fast 2) make sure no one is standing behind you

lnhaynie Loc: Southwest Colorado

I have used the Lightning Trigger for years. This is the original. There are many copies so be careful. It works for lightning, fireworks, etc. The owner and developer is Richard Davis in Dolores, Colorado. Email him and and he will address any questions you may have.
Website: http://www.lightningtrigger.com

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Actually, I like your pic.. Here is one I caught on (Tv) at 30 seconds... focus on infinity. No lightning..? Shoot again.. sooner or later you get your pic.