Lightning Storm!

In a rare week, two events in the sky captured my attention as well as re-kindled my love for shooting this amazing world. Earlier this week with the Eclipse, and tonight with the lightning storm, I spend over 2 hours driving around the county getting some cool locations (while trying not to put myself in a position to be struck) and chilled out to music. I love being spontaneous. As I was finishing up some late night editing, at 11:30 I hear thunder. At 11:35 I head outside, and my buddy tells me its going strong. At 11:40 its getting closer and more frequent. And I think to myself, ok, its now or never. I rarely get out of the house late like this. But not tonight, its lightning hunting time. Game on! As the thunder rolls around I drive around seeking the most insane location to view the show. I end up out at pismo beach, and for the 1st time in my life, I see it above the water with the reflection across the glassy water. The bursts are almost 10 seconds apart and I even got a sweet shot with my iphone! Maybe it might win Beckers Blog iphone blog contest.

Well here is how I got the shot…
Set up my camera on my tripod, ISO 1000, Aperture 5.6-11. 11 if there is a lot of ambient light and 5.6 if its darker outside. The longer you leave the shutter open the more ambient like it will pick up. Set camera to bulb, then with your remote trigger, hold down, usually the lightning bursts go in 30 second increments or whatever, so you can “time it” but I recommend holding down for enough time to get the ambient exlposure, then release right after the lightnging to finish exposing the shot. Here is an example

F 5.6
Shutter speed (bulb setting or manual @ 20 seconds) 20 seconds (holding down for 20 sec)
ISO 1000
Its pretty easy, just make sure you hold the trigger down, focus on street lights or the moon, then compose and shoot! Easier than it sounds!