Handheld Thunder

[xysmas]

I found myself eating out on a patio while this amazing lightning storm developed over the city of Albuquerque. At the storm's peak there was approximately a lightning strike every 4 seconds.

I didn't have a tripod, a good view from the table, or a stable ledge to rest on to easily capture the part of sky these bolts were striking. I hopped out on the edge of the parking lot in a less well lit area and cinched my camera strap bandoleer-style around my chest and pressed the camera with my left hand to my body to stabilize the camera. I used the wireless remote to open and close the shutter - most shots were around 2-5 seconds open and between f/6.3 and f/4. I played with the exposure a bit until i got the aperture right as not to blow out the strike details. This is the best shot from tonight IMO.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xysmas/501893221/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/220/501893221_1c0a26e095.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Summer Thunder" /></a>

Post processing was kept to a minimum - some curves adjusting, selective blurring, and exposure adjustments masked on.

Thanks for your input and viewing! :)

[wulf]

Great stuff - glad you had your camera handy.

Wulf

[Dazyl]

Very fun! Those are some awesome lightning jags; they practically crackle and sizzle. Must have been quite the sight!

[Digidave]

Nice catch!!:)

[rikkersc]

Wow! I'm impressed. Usually when I try to take lightning shots, its so infrequent or random it never really turns out. Great job!:)

[higabyte]

how does one actually take a picture like that? do you just set a slow shutter speed and then click and hope lighting strikes while the picture is being taken?

[Tifosi248F1]

Wow, very nice xysmas! That is much better than mine. The open sky with the lightposts really gives a sense of an urban setting, makes it very dramatic to me. I thought it would be nearly impossible to get a good lightning shot handheld and spurr of the moment, you have done well to prove that wrong.

[xysmas]

how does one actually take a picture like that? do you just set a slow shutter speed and then click and hope lighting strikes while the picture is being taken?

Basically, yes. I used the bulb mode with the small wireless remote for my D40. I would open the shutter and close it after a lightning strike or about 5 seconds - whatever came first, as not to overexpose the frames.

Thanks for the compliments, everyone. ;)

[ttcorsa]

this is very good photo no where near as good bolts as my first proper imge with my first dslr my nikkon d50 :D only a baby i know but it is a start

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i180/ttcorsa/lightening.jpg

[Sime™]

xysmas!.. that is proper "food cooking" lightning that is....

Good shot...!

[Dr. WooD]

Thats too cool.