Lightning storm, Kelso, Scottish Borders, UK
by mikeyscope
This was one of multiple lightning cells passing through this morning Thu 2nd July 2015 at 00.54am approaching from the south looking over Poynder Park RFC ground, Kelso, Scottish Borders.
Soon after this shot lightning bolts reached the edge of town so decided to make a hasty retreat!
Note
This a single exposure ...not a multiple stacked image!
Soon after this shot lightning bolts reached the edge of town so decided to make a hasty retreat!
Note
This a single exposure ...not a multiple stacked image!
Uploaded02/07/2015 - 19:30
CategoryLandscape / Travel
LensN/A
ISO200
Focal Length12mm
Views/Likes128/14
Posted 02/07/2015 - 20:56
Link
Wow, one of the best lightning images I've seen!
Regards
David
Regards
David
Posted 02/07/2015 - 21:44
Link
Very well captured!
I've tried these myself so I know they are not easy
I've tried these myself so I know they are not easy
Regards,
Michael
Michael
Posted 02/07/2015 - 21:53
Link
Perfectly timed. How did you manage it? I've tried and failed miserably!
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Tamrac 5375 Adventure 75 Photo Backpack
and a wish list as long as your arm!
Posted 02/07/2015 - 23:58
Link
Hi folks
Thank you for very kind and positive feedback on this image.
"Perfectly timed. How did you manage it? I've tried and failed miserably!"
Yes, indeed usually a lot of luck with lightning shots but odds were in my favour due being a slow moving storm coming directly towards me therefore virtually no drift east or west ... a sitting duck for my camera lens!
Having more experience with astronomical imaging this was a small step sideways... here is my method for lightning...
1. Firstly determine a suitable exposure/aperture for your local site, this can be done on any cloudy evening even without a storm, when shooting lightning most people get over excited or nervous and forget the exposure/aperture setting for the foreground interest, get this correct and the lightning exposure will look after itself.
2. As when shooting astronomical images the stars trail due to Earth's rotation, the same can be said for clouds/direction/speed as this determines the limiting exposure time too, more impact with less blurry clouds due to drifting. (You can see my image retains a lot of cloud detail on underside of storm cloud)
Exposure around 30secs is a good length to start and standard maximum exposure setting on most cameras so should you forget your timer release it's a good standard to get used to ...but reduce or increase time if so desired according to speed of cloud movement.
3. Keep your ISO's low... you may want to print your images up to larger size later ...but not too low as you do want to capture the action, I tend to keep around ISO200.
4. Set your aperture, starting around f8 is a good start, the instinct is to open the aperture wide in low light but due to the brightness of some lightning this will cause burnout of detail in the lightning forks, you may in fact find yourself closing down an extra stop or two!
5. Luck ...lots of it ....and a very active storm thrown in for good measure!
There are more lightning storms forecast in the coming days and often July & August are good months too so wish you all stormy skies but please be very careful.
Mike
Thank you for very kind and positive feedback on this image.
"Perfectly timed. How did you manage it? I've tried and failed miserably!"
Yes, indeed usually a lot of luck with lightning shots but odds were in my favour due being a slow moving storm coming directly towards me therefore virtually no drift east or west ... a sitting duck for my camera lens!
Having more experience with astronomical imaging this was a small step sideways... here is my method for lightning...
1. Firstly determine a suitable exposure/aperture for your local site, this can be done on any cloudy evening even without a storm, when shooting lightning most people get over excited or nervous and forget the exposure/aperture setting for the foreground interest, get this correct and the lightning exposure will look after itself.
2. As when shooting astronomical images the stars trail due to Earth's rotation, the same can be said for clouds/direction/speed as this determines the limiting exposure time too, more impact with less blurry clouds due to drifting. (You can see my image retains a lot of cloud detail on underside of storm cloud)
Exposure around 30secs is a good length to start and standard maximum exposure setting on most cameras so should you forget your timer release it's a good standard to get used to ...but reduce or increase time if so desired according to speed of cloud movement.
3. Keep your ISO's low... you may want to print your images up to larger size later ...but not too low as you do want to capture the action, I tend to keep around ISO200.
4. Set your aperture, starting around f8 is a good start, the instinct is to open the aperture wide in low light but due to the brightness of some lightning this will cause burnout of detail in the lightning forks, you may in fact find yourself closing down an extra stop or two!
5. Luck ...lots of it ....and a very active storm thrown in for good measure!
There are more lightning storms forecast in the coming days and often July & August are good months too so wish you all stormy skies but please be very careful.
Mike
Posted 03/07/2015 - 08:26
Link
Brilliant! I'll definitely give that a go.
Pentax Optio 750z
Pentax K20D
Pentax K-3
Pentax 18-55mm WR
Pentax 50-200mm WR
Sigma 8-16mm
Sigma 120-400mm
Sigma 18-250mm macro
Tamrac 5375 Adventure 75 Photo Backpack
and a wish list as long as your arm!
Pentax K20D
Pentax K-3
Pentax 18-55mm WR
Pentax 50-200mm WR
Sigma 8-16mm
Sigma 120-400mm
Sigma 18-250mm macro
Tamrac 5375 Adventure 75 Photo Backpack
and a wish list as long as your arm!
Posted 03/07/2015 - 10:37
Link
Mike - thanks for sharing the excellent image and an even bigger thank you for your tips.
I was standing in my front garden for nearly 40 minutes at 1am trying to do the same - and got it so badly wrong - nothing I tried worked and given that it was the longest - slowest moving (left to right in my case) lightening display I have ever seen - this became very frustrating.
I now realise why - I will not embarrass myself by giving details - let's just say I screwed up big time
Thanks!
Carl
I was standing in my front garden for nearly 40 minutes at 1am trying to do the same - and got it so badly wrong - nothing I tried worked and given that it was the longest - slowest moving (left to right in my case) lightening display I have ever seen - this became very frustrating.
I now realise why - I will not embarrass myself by giving details - let's just say I screwed up big time
Thanks!
Carl
No matter how many lenses I have owned - I have always needed just one more
Posted 03/07/2015 - 15:26
Link
Thanks chaps ...
Carl sound like you broke point No.1
My tip here would be to check your settings before venturing outside ...try 15secs to 30 secs time range depending on cloud movement, start around f8 as your centre aperture setting allowing some up or down tweaking, ISO at 200 is usually fine in most cases for subject.
Good luck next storm!
Mike
Carl sound like you broke point No.1
My tip here would be to check your settings before venturing outside ...try 15secs to 30 secs time range depending on cloud movement, start around f8 as your centre aperture setting allowing some up or down tweaking, ISO at 200 is usually fine in most cases for subject.
Good luck next storm!
Mike
Posted 04/07/2015 - 10:43
Link
That's most impressive! Guess there were not too many other people around at that time of the night to wonder what the hell you were doing! Even lugging a camera and tripod around people (humans!) still don't understand what you're about!
Paul.
Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried! (Bill Brandt)
PPG
Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried! (Bill Brandt)
PPG
Posted 04/07/2015 - 13:35
Link
Wow! A fantastic image
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