In which we dodged lightning...

[dsthenes]

A couple of belated storm photos from January 1, 2009. Apparently New Year's day was more exciting than I remembered. According to my camera's date recording at least...

These photos are heavily processed to enhance both colour and contrast. The originals were very, very bright.

Comments

[jedinic]

So... how do you manage to capture lightning on camera? Extremely fast reactions? Continuous photo-taking?

(In other words, I tried recently and failed big time!)

These are fabulous photos. :D

[dsthenes]

In the past I have generally tried to capture lightning by shooting continuous, but it's very, very difficult -- you need to be lucky. It also tends to lead to fuzzy, blurry results even with your best photos -- a bit like this.

What most storm chasers do -- and what I did this time -- was use a tripod, and set up a really long exposure. I think these ones were roughly: F6, 30 seconds and ISO100. The tripod is essentially for getting rid of camera shake.

As long as your camera allows you to set the shutter speed, and as long as you have a tripod, you're in with a good shot at getting something. Point it in the right direction, set for a long exposure, press the shutter, sit back and wait. :)

D.

[renideo]

Dude those are awesome

[andraste_oz]

THose are fabulous!

[dsthenes]

Thanks Vanessa! Here's hoping you get a bit of this to chase away the heatwave soon!

D.

[stephendann]

hey Dthingy

Awesome shots. What's the current camera set up you're using for this?

[dsthenes]

I currently use a Canon 400D body. At the time that was the entry level on the SLR range. It's been superseded by the 450D ... and there's the even more entry level 1000D now as well.

I have an 18-55mm kit lens that I never use because of its poor glass and not very fast. Lens-wise, I generally use two lenses -- a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 that I used for these shots, and a Canon 50mm f/1.4.

The Tamron can be fickle, but still gave me most of those Nouvelle Vague shots, so it's by no means a heap of junk. It just has a bit of trouble focusing when things are strongly backlit, and is sometimes not as sharp as I would like. Cost me about $600.

The Canon 50mm is quite sharp at F/1.4 and gets even sharper as you open the arperture. For example, this is a crop of a larger photo at 100% with the arperture at F/2.5. The lens cost me $650, but it's been worth every cent.

That's my gear. Oh, and I have a tripod as well. :)

D.

[light_globes]

did knot comment earlier, but i dig these. I might make one my background ;)

(don't let it go to your head.)

[dsthenes]

Have larger versions if you need more pixels. ;)