How to Photograph Lightning With a Digital Camera

Taking pictures of lightning requires some planning and some luck.

Mother Nature can create some pretty impressive events. One of the most stunning and intense can be an electrical storm that precedes a summer rain. Capturing the lightning strikes that are created by these electrical storms takes a little bit of planning and preparation to keep you and you equipment safe and dry. If successful, you may be able to market and sell the images you capture to calendar, book or stock agencies.

Things You'll Need

• Tripod
• Extra batteries
• Remote shutter release

Instructions

1. Find a location that gives you a wide view of a landscape, but also has features that can be part of the foreground. A cityscape with tall buildings in the foreground can make for a good picture, as does a location that has trees in the foreground that will be backlit by the lightning.

2. Attach your digital camera to tripod and connect a remote release to the camera. The release is not necessary, but makes taking the picture a little easier.

3. Turn your camera on, set the exposure mode to "Manual" and set the ISO (camera light sensitivity) to the lowest setting.

4. Set the shutter speed to "10 seconds" and set the aperture to "f11." You may need to adjust the settings depending on how bright the storm is.

5. Focus the lens to it maximum focus point, and switch the lens to manual focus. If you leave the lens in auto focus it will search for a focusing point when you press the shutter release.

6. Press the shutter release to take the picture when you are expecting lightning to strike. If successful, review the picture to check the exposure and make adjustments where necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have extra batteries with you. Digital cameras use battery power to keep the shutter open. The longer it is open, the more power it will use. Having extra batteries on you will extend your shooting.

• Think of your own personal safety first and foremost. Wherever possible, shoot these events from a safe distance. When the storm gets too close seek shelter until is has passed and is at a safe distance for photography again.

References

• Weatherscapes: How to Photograph Lightning
• Digital Photography School: How to Photograph Lighting
• PC World: How to Photography Lightning Perfectly