We stepped out a while ago to take the dogs for a little walk. On our way down to the road, we saw lightning and heard thunder from this cell west of us. One of these days, I’m going to get lucky and snap the shutter just as a bolt of lightning is visible. You can see the rainfall in the distance behind the big (new to us) saguaro outside the courtyard. Click on the image to enlarge.
Saguaros and thunderstorms–just about my favorite vista.
Its so beautiful.
They say that the best thing to do is get a good digital camcorder that can record lightning. Record where you can see lightning, and then you can download the video on the computer, and scroll thru frame by frame until you find the lightning, and copy the picture.
You probably already know this…but just in case I’ll repeat it for those that may not know.
This only works with a camera that has manual controls…especially aperture and shutter.
If the sun is hidden by clouds set the aperture to it’s smallest opening ( f22 sounds good to me) and then just leave the shutter open…I should have mentioned that the camera should be on a tri-pod facing the general direction of the lightning…then let the lighting take the picture. As soon as the lightning quits cover the lens and close the shutter. An open shutter at almost any aperture opening works well at night as long as there is no disturbance from man-made light, i.e. street lights, passing cars etc.