crap that didn't work. Anyway I can't post it directly since I can't afford a paid membership at the moment. So if you would do me the honor and have myspace please check it out at www.myspace.com/flipflopphoto it's the very last immage in my portfolio. Let me know what you think!!!
I'm so jealous, we never get lightning, and if we did I'd still not be able to capture it! :)
I didn't think I'd be able to capture it either! We had an electrical storm last night and I thought what the heck lets give it a go. I grabbed my blank memory card and counted to six and clicked the shutter. I did this several times (about thirty). I got a lot of beautiful glowing clouds but not very many bolts. ( It also didn't help that my entire property is lined with trees.) :D My problem is focusing. It's very hard for me to focus in the dark so they aren't ever very clear, but practice makes perfect and I can't wait to try it again!!!
Yes.. that one was a bit scary...since I was standing outside in an open field with those very scary clouds and lightning popping everywhere. I didn't stay long =)
At night, just manual focus at infinity, and back off just a touch. At night you can shoot long exposures and the lightning bolt will make the exposure. Aperture around f4 at iso 200 if it is nearby lightning. If it is far away use apertrue f4 and iso 400 or 800. Take a couple of shots, and see how long you can make the exposure without getting too much background. f4 gives light in the clouds, and f6 to f8 gives better definition of the actual bolts.
I used 800 for this shot because I wanted to get the whole scene.
Here's a daytime shot. It took about 80 frames to get this one. Bolts were flying about every 6 or 8 seconds, but all around. I got lucky and had one hit right where I was aiming.
BeeCee, you will have to go where the lightning is happening sometime. It's a good excuse to take a vacation. : )
