First attempt to capture lightning

[Denese]

This is my very first attempt to captur lightning. I am still extrememly new to photography and wanted to get your opinions. This shot was taken last night about 10pm. Even though it looks pretty good, I still think I can get a better shot. Not knowing really what settings would be best, I tried the following. I am especially questioning the shutter speed and ISO setting.

Canon XSi
F/9
Shutter speed 30 sec
ISO 100
28mm

Thank you
Denese

[jpitz31]

Hello Denese,

Your ISO setting is fine, Faster ISO or more sensor sensitivity is a good thing for some images but there are trade-offs as well. Faster ISO can affect the quality of the image, introduce noise, chromatic aberrations etc. Shooting at slower ISO will keep the sky dark, and allow the lighting and horizon lights to light your image. Which is what you want.

In shooting lighting you are at the mercy of when the lighting strikes. So as you did you opened your shutter and waited for the lighting. In comparison to the brightness of the lighting to the dark sky and horizon, by leaving the shutter open longer, will give you two advantages.

The lights and buildings on the horizon would get brighter, and you might get a chance to capture more lighting strikes.

The best thing to do is experiment with different lengths of shutter speed and see what you get.

Thanks

Joe