The Lucky Strike
This is the first time I caught lightning, I have posted this previously, but forgot that I had edited it in Lightroom to bring out the depth of field more clea...
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This is the first time I caught lightning, I have posted this previously, but forgot that I had edited it in Lightroom to bring out the depth of field more clearly. Actually it wasn't my first photo from that day, there were two others, and I will post those at another time, but this one was the closest to me, hazarding a guess I would say it was no more than 30 yards in front, and as you can see I am on a cliff top over looking the sea. I was the tallest object too, so I was a bit nervous. I couldn't hang around any longer because this lightning was the prelude to an almighty lightning storm, which kicked off all around me, with hail stones, rain...I have never seen anything like it, so I had to run back to the car. I was in surrounded by lightning strikes everywhere. Exhilarating!!
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Sep, 2015Views
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KyleErnst
November 07, 2015
I have never been able to capture lightning that well, you seem to have a good technique.
suzannesingleton
November 07, 2015
This was a surprise encounter, I was actually set up for trying out some star trails, I was completely unaware that one of the largest electrical storms was coming our way. I was just very lucky to be there, I was prepared with the settings, but not prepared for the storm, so I was able to get a few shots of the lightning before the heavens opened. When I saw this one on my screen, I was beside myself, I wanted to stay for more, but there was too much rain, and the lightning was striking the ground just a few yards away from me. Since then, I have book marked several lightning detector websites onto my lappy, and whenever the forecast says lightning, I get the camera ready, and then wait it out. I've been lucky a few times since then. Play around with settings F5 and ISO 200, you might need to tweak them a bit depending on the light, get the camera on a tripod, and use a remote. Make sure you have nothing metal on you, and keep low to the ground, and you should get your shots.,
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Behind The Lens
Location
Barton-On-Sea, on the clifftop.Time
It was in July, in the evening. After a very hot, and sunny day.Lighting
The camera was new to me, so I was still familiarizing myself with the settings, and sensitivity. I was actually set up to do star trails, as it had been a clear day, with the odd white fluffy cloud in the sky. So I was shocked to see the lightning storm coming over the sea, and towards the mainland. It was still quite light, as it was only about 9pm, but the storm clouds came in quick, and made it very dark. I was set for star trail photos, so I remained on those settings when I caught a few strikes out to sea, I wish though I had used a slightly higher ISO, as then I wouldn't have had to take it into LR, to adjust the ground.Equipment
I used a Nikon D7100, kit lens 18-105mm, tripod, and a remote release cable.Inspiration
I wasn't expecting to take this photo, that's the funny thing. I hadn't seen the weather report for that night, I just assumed that because the day had been very clear, and hot, that we were in for a clear night, and a perfect chance for me to bag a few star trails over the sea. My camera was still new to me, only had it for a few weeks, and I was keen to try it out on everything. When I got to the cliff tops, I was parked up in my car, and I could see flashes in the clouds in the distance over the sea. Immediately I scrambled out of my car, and watched closely, hoping the that the clouds were coming my way. I saw a couple of more flashes, and jumped back into my car, to get my camera, and tripod. It was lucky that it wasn't raining...yet. I had time to walk to a prime location on the clifftop, and set the camera, and tripod up, while keeping an eye on clouds that were coming in fast. Once I was set up, all I could think about was if I didn't get a lightning shot here, I'll never get one. I have always wanted a lightning photo, and one that was in a good location. All of that was handed to me on a plate, and it was thrilling, and terrifying. Before I took this photo, there were very big bolts and strikes, and they were coming in quite close. I love storms, I love the intense atmosphere, and heat, and I discovered through taking this photo, that there is a definite buzz in the air. You can almost pinpoint when the next lightning is going to strike.Editing
Some adjustments to the ground in LR.In my camera bag
Camera, batteries, remote release cable, cloth, a handful of ND filters.Feedback
Be prepared for the weather. Try to avoid making yourself the tallest object on the landscape. Don't have any metal on you. Keep a close eye on the clouds, watch the ones that glow a couple of times, as they are the ones that are getting charged up. Take exposures of no longer than 20 seconds. Have faith!!
