Jump to content
Come try out our new Arcade we just put up, new games added weekly. Link at the top of the website ×

Lightning Photography - Dipping My Toes


Astronomer

Recommended Posts


  • Member ID:  2069
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  24
  • Topic Count:  214
  • Topics Per Day:  0.04
  • Content Count:  2411
  • Content Per Day:  0.50
  • Reputation:   2409
  • Achievement Points:  18298
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  12/25/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  08/08/1966
  • Device:  Windows

Hi all,

 

My astronomy passion led me to meteorology, as I need to know the forecast for my specific area and time when and where I observe the stars, not the broad generalized region that forecasts generally cover. "Clear skies" from local news forecasters usually don't account for haze, or when dew (on lenses) become a problem. So like many amateur astronomers, learning to read raw weather data became a necessity for planning nights with my gear under the stars. I've come to love weather, especially extreme weather. My adopted region is one of the most prone in Canada to thunderstorms, tornadoes, and snow squalls. Marrying the meteorology hobby to my photography hobby became a natural evolution.

 

A buddy of mine makes a lightning detector for DSLR cameras (http://www.togastro.com/toga_ld.html), so I bought one once my wife and I bought our DSLR camera this past Boxing Day, with the hope of maybe learning how to capture an image of a lightning strike. I'm pleased to say that I'm beginning to figure it out.

 

This image is taken with a Canon 70D, with an 18-55mm lens set at 18mm. I carefully focused on a distant water tower before the storm's arrival to get a good focus on infinity, and set the camera to ISO 400 and F8, with an aperture priority setting. This is one of the best so far. It's an un-retouched detail of a larger image.

 

54054df658746_Detail.jpg

Edited by Astronomer
Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  7547
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  16
  • Topic Count:  11
  • Topics Per Day:  0.00
  • Content Count:  714
  • Content Per Day:  0.18
  • Reputation:   621
  • Achievement Points:  5030
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  04/24/13
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  07/10/1984

That looks awesome!

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  77
  • Group:  Fallen Members
  • Followers:  111
  • Topic Count:  1018
  • Topics Per Day:  0.19
  • Content Count:  7527
  • Content Per Day:  1.41
  • Reputation:   9175
  • Achievement Points:  69486
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  47
  • Joined:  09/02/09
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  

I'd have to say you did a great job,I like it. :cool:  :thumbup: 

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  1455
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  101
  • Topic Count:  54
  • Topics Per Day:  0.01
  • Content Count:  4166
  • Content Per Day:  0.82
  • Reputation:   1275
  • Achievement Points:  37577
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  1
  • Joined:  05/28/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  07/25/1976


  • Member ID:  1194
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  40
  • Topic Count:  436
  • Topics Per Day:  0.08
  • Content Count:  6692
  • Content Per Day:  1.30
  • Reputation:   11691
  • Achievement Points:  53094
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  76
  • Joined:  02/27/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  04/15/1960
  • Device:  Windows

Nice job astronomer.

 

I think you would get better pictures if you used a tripod that is around 30 feet tall. :whistle:

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  2759
  • Group:  **- Inactive Registered Users
  • Followers:  17
  • Topic Count:  199
  • Topics Per Day:  0.04
  • Content Count:  3496
  • Content Per Day:  0.76
  • Reputation:   3021
  • Achievement Points:  26464
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  3
  • Joined:  08/22/11
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  07/27/1990

Nice job astronomer.

 

I think you would get better pictures if you used a tripod that is around 30 feet tall. :whistle:

 

 

with a big pointy thing at the top.... maybe you could just stand on top of the tripod?

 

 

Nice pics bro! Lighting is a truly glorious display of power!

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  1128
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  78
  • Topic Count:  1188
  • Topics Per Day:  0.23
  • Content Count:  6490
  • Content Per Day:  1.26
  • Reputation:   4396
  • Achievement Points:  63167
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  5
  • Joined:  02/13/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  10/21/1954
  • Device:  Windows

Very nice! I love lightning also! I remember storms where one strike would be from horizon to horizon. No pix tho.  Looks like fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  989
  • Group:  *** Clan Members
  • Followers:  25
  • Topic Count:  261
  • Topics Per Day:  0.05
  • Content Count:  17977
  • Content Per Day:  3.46
  • Reputation:   19906
  • Achievement Points:  131726
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  251
  • Joined:  01/07/10
  • Status:  Online
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  01/27/1946
  • Device:  Windows


  • Member ID:  2068
  • Group:  +++ COD5 Head Admin
  • Followers:  69
  • Topic Count:  1065
  • Topics Per Day:  0.22
  • Content Count:  8394
  • Content Per Day:  1.73
  • Reputation:   7237
  • Achievement Points:  74551
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  64
  • Joined:  12/25/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  05/23/1973
  • Device:  Windows


  • Member ID:  98
  • Group:  *** Clan Members
  • Followers:  68
  • Topic Count:  23
  • Topics Per Day:  0.00
  • Content Count:  3225
  • Content Per Day:  0.61
  • Reputation:   929
  • Achievement Points:  18754
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  09/02/09
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  05/29/1968
  • Device:  Windows


  • Member ID:  2069
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  24
  • Topic Count:  214
  • Topics Per Day:  0.04
  • Content Count:  2411
  • Content Per Day:  0.50
  • Reputation:   2409
  • Achievement Points:  18298
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  12/25/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  08/08/1966
  • Device:  Windows

5407093116a9e_IMG_2333.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  2069
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  24
  • Topic Count:  214
  • Topics Per Day:  0.04
  • Content Count:  2411
  • Content Per Day:  0.50
  • Reputation:   2409
  • Achievement Points:  18298
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  12/25/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  08/08/1966
  • Device:  Windows

...and another...

 

5407096482f53_IMG_2334.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Member ID:  2069
  • Group:  ***- Inactive Clan Members
  • Followers:  24
  • Topic Count:  214
  • Topics Per Day:  0.04
  • Content Count:  2411
  • Content Per Day:  0.50
  • Reputation:   2409
  • Achievement Points:  18298
  • Solved Content:  0
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  12/25/10
  • Status:  Offline
  • Last Seen:  
  • Birthday:  08/08/1966
  • Device:  Windows

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm having a blast learning how to use the camera and getting "the shot". Conditions are ripe for a severe thunderstorm outbreak on Friday. I'm hoping top do some storm chasing and setting up for more lightning photos in the evening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.