greymule Loc: Colorado

Anyone have any tips for nailing lightning? I have heard of an automatic light trigger tuned into the remote shutter, so that a flash of lightning triggers the shutter. Or is this just a figment of my robust imagination?!! Any tips and/or images with tips would be of great interest.

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

I've gotten a few shots with this process, although there are probably better ones. Google is your friend.

Assuming you have a camera that allows these settings, ...

Set your lens on Manual focus, focused to infinity.

I just experimented by doing a 15 or 20 second exposure and messing with the aperture until I got a fairly dark shot across the board.

Then I simply opened the shutter for 15 or 20 seconds. If a bolt hits while I'm open, I get it. If it doesn't, I just trashed the shot.

This shot was taken back in June of '08, I think - before I knew somewhat what I was doing. Since then, of course, we haven't had any really good lightning storms here.

Also,it should go without saying to BE CAREFUL. Lightning is nasty stuff. Just ask Lee Trevino.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Build a house on the western slope with a deck - this way you get lots of practice - and i have heard of sensors to which your imagination speaks
you live near Denver?? Call up Pro Photo (if still around) if not and still curious go to www.asmp.org once in go to asmp colorado - find a pro you like and give him/her a call or email.

greymule Loc: Colorado

That's the image I'm looking for!! Thanks for the tip.

My first up close and personal contact with lightning was on a 16 day backpack trip with 4 buddies in the Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness. We climbed Capitol Peak, one the hardest 14,000 foot mountains to climb. It was also my first 14'er.

On the summit (with our metal tripods), we were celebrating with a little smoke and a couple of shots of Crown Royal. When I looked over at one of my buddies, every one of his hairs were standing on end. I laughed, then realized my head felt like thousands of tiny needles were being inserted in my scalp, one in each follicle of hair.

Then, the rocks around us starting buzzing. We packed our stuff and hightailed, but not before the lightning started striking all around. Then, the hail began pelting us unmercifully. The thunder was deafening. The rocks became slippery. We had to cross a long, exposed ridge on our descent. To try to avoid being the highest target for the lightning, Kent and I dropped down just below the ridge, traversing on a ledge that dropped straight down to Capitol Lake, about 1500 below.

The ledge petered out to about 18 inches. The storm was raging all around us. As we inched along, I was hanging on to a 200-300 pound boulder that came loose and knocked me off the ledge. I was hanging by three fingers of my right hand above the lake, 1500 feet below.

All of a sudden, a rush of adrenaline hit and I was able to pull myself back to the ledge. Aye Carumba! We still had about 30 feet to go on the ledge to a point where we could climb back on the ridge.

We made it (obviously, since I'm here to tell the story). I thought to myself, "Wow! This was a spiritual experience." I planned to meditate about when we arrived back at camp (on a glacier at 13,000 feet).

The storm abated and the sun came out.

However, just as we rounded the corner to descend the glacier to our tents, a large wind came up and blew my tent about a quarter of a mile down the glacier. I watched as my gear was strewn mightily.

I concluded that God didn't want to speak to me after all.

greymule Loc: Colorado

Denver, now, near the Tech Center. I did manage to live in Glenwood Springs for about 7 years during the oil shale boom-bust.The Western Slope is where it's at, no doubt. Thanks for the tips.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

greymule Loc: Colorado

then again maybe god did speak - were you listening?

What??

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

sorry, didn't mean to confuse you. I was reading your post.....

greymule Loc: Colorado

I was jes' jokin' around, but I am usually confused.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Look at this URL It is what I use and easy to use

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Bigdaver

The trigger is only needed for daylight photos. Adorama sells them.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

You can set your camera to BULB......and stop down to f12 or more. Get a piece of black construction paper 8.5 x 11 works good. Open the shutter and put the paper in front of the lens. If you see some action, remove the paper until the action stops 20 to 30 seconds is ok.....cover your lens (continue to leave the shutter open) and wait for the next action.....this way you can get more than one strike on the same image. You do not need a cable release or remote. Just a good tripod and construction paper. This is also how I shoot fireworks.

greymule Loc: Colorado

Great tip for lightning and fireworks. Thanks.