I have always been facinated by lightning. But now since moving to Colorado I have wanted to capture since there is so much activity here.
I also realize this is serious business and wondered if/how others have attempted to capture it.
Many of my fellow workers warn against the chances of getting *Hit* even when the storm is off in the distance. So do you guys tempt fate or just say NO???
Here is a quick snapshot from my back deck last night:
Common sense certainly applies to lightning photography. Don't stand out in the middle of a field or on a mountain ridge waving a metal tripod around. You could get struck anywhere, but standard lightning safety tips will reduce your chances to almost nil. For some people, "almost" isn't enough assurance.
Posted by George Hager on May 23, 2006 at 10:42 PM
I like shooting out he back of my 4 Runner with the hatch open. Keeps the rain off and the car is still a pretty good Faraday's cage so the chance of lightning getting in is very low.
That is a beautiful shot and hard to believe it is your only one
I want to capture something like that away from the city. I guess I could open the back of our Sienna minivan up and shoot from it like George.
Last night I guess I was taking some risk standing out on our porch shooting lightning pretty close. I didn't go indoors until the rain bands began to get me wet. I shot thru the window and took this one. The rain hitting the glass tended to blur the shots though.
I prefer to capture my lightning in a Leyden jar, rather that with a camera - that way, it can be reused in different locations. Just stand out of the way while unscrewing the lid! A kite with metallic wire connected to the jar electrode helds funnel it in.
Having been "indirectly" struck by lightning, myself, I have a great respect for, fear of, and odd fascination with the phenomena. I would only attempt to shoot lightning from a low risk, relatively safe location. I've done the same as George, shoot it from the back of my Xterra. Autos do not provide total safety from lightning (there are plenty of documented cases of autos taking a direct strike), but they are safer than standing on the ground outside.
I always shoot from inside my 4runner too, except when the storm is far enough out that a medium telephoto can be used. Wide angles are strictly for use inside the vehicle.
Discussion
8 repliesI have always been facinated by lightning. But now since moving to Colorado I have wanted to capture since there is so much activity here.
I also realize this is serious business and wondered if/how others have attempted to capture it.
Many of my fellow workers warn against the chances of getting *Hit* even when the storm is off in the distance. So do you guys tempt fate or just say NO???
Here is a quick snapshot from my back deck last night:
Great color and nice lightning!
Read this first
I've been interested in lightning lately myself and have been looking into the Lightning Trigger.
Be safe out there.
Common sense certainly applies to lightning photography. Don't stand out in the middle of a field or on a mountain ridge waving a metal tripod around. You could get struck anywhere, but standard lightning safety tips will reduce your chances to almost nil. For some people, "almost" isn't enough assurance.
That is a beautiful shot and hard to believe it is your only one
I want to capture something like that away from the city. I guess I could open the back of our Sienna minivan up and shoot from it like George.
Last night I guess I was taking some risk standing out on our porch shooting lightning pretty close. I didn't go indoors until the rain bands began to get me wet. I shot thru the window and took this one. The rain hitting the glass tended to blur the shots though.
http://photos.imageevent.com/dereksurfs/spring2006/huge/22May06_2503Cr.jpg
Ken
Be safe out there!
Don