Advice on exposures for lightning photography

[JDP]

Hi All,
A while back I had a go at night-time lightning photography (only 1 roll!). The results were a bit so-so, so I wondered if anyone might like to offer any advice on exposure length and technique to capture a good photograph of lightning.

Acording to my notes, my previous attempt used a mamiya C330F, 55mm lens (focussed during daylight), with Kodak e100gx transparency film. Aperture was set to f8, and exposures between about 15 seconds and 45 seconds were made. Technique was to wait for a couple of 'forks', then close the shutter. Despite several nice 'forks' appearing in the field of view, these did not come out. All that is visible on the slides is some light areas (mostly in the cloud). A possible mistake I made was to keep the shutter open to record more than one 'fork'. Possibly sheet lightning has bleached out the forks so they are not visible?? Photos were taken in a rural area - no street lights.

Any advice greatly received.

 

[removed-user-1]

I've never tried to do this, although it is interesting to me. My first thought was that you should use a wider aperture, say f/2.8 or so. A Google search turns up this website, which makes the same suggestion (they talk about digital a bit more than film, but the exposures should be the same):

http://www.lightningphotography.com/tips.html

 

[Michael W]

I haven't done this, but heard it's a common technique ...
100 ISO, f/8, bulb setting, lens focus to infinity, with the shutter open hold a piece of black card just in front of the lens, as if it was a lens cap hovering a short distance out from the usual position. When you see the lightning whip the card away & then return it until there is more lightning. Holding the card there prevents excess ambient light from entering & making the sky too bright. The other advice I've read & have used this in fireworks photos is to try & have some interesting element in the lower part of the frame, to give some context or sense of scale.

 

[archphoto]

I have done it, both on 6x6 and D.
Got good results.

Item no 1: exposure for the lightning: f:8 at 100 ASA
Item no 2: exposure for background depends on the film you are using and the background, about 30 seconds to 1 minute + reprocity.

Time the time between lightning strikes.
Keep shooting untill your roll is full.

check: Dead Link Removed and go to photo's and then to Goiânia.

Peter

 

[glbeas]

If the background is blowing out the forks stop down some more. Remember how bright the bolt really is, the extra time open is what determines the background exposure. I've gotten some nice shots at f/16 with about 20 sec open time. I've also noticed some storms have a somewhat regular rythm to the bolts and you can time it to open the shutter just before the next bolt is due to strike.

 

[JDP]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I am in the right area with it. I''ll try some wider/narrower apertures and ring the changes. So, I am hoping for a good thunderstorm sesaon this summer!

 

[nicefor88]

I've noticed such problems when shooting in the middle of the night but less problems when earlier, one or two hours after sunset or before dawn. Problem is we can't ask thunder to wait, can we?...