Settings for Photographing Lightning

Equipment

• Regardless of the type of camera being used, it must be mounted on a sturdy tripod -- one that keeps the camera steady. A cable release is another necessity. This allows the shutter to be released without touching the camera, which sometimes causes vibration. The camera should allow for manual settings. A lens with a focal length of 28 to 100 mm provides a wide enough view of the sky. Something to keep the equipment dry is also very helpful.

Night Settings

• Lightning is more visible at night, and easier to photograph at this time. Ideally, the camera should have a bulb or ̶0;B̶1; setting. This allows the shutter to stay open as long as the release button is held. If the camera does not have a ̶0;B̶1; setting, set it at a slow shutter speed (between 10 and 30 seconds). Set the focus to infinity, because the camera can not focus on the lightning as it occurs. The recommended f stop varies with the distance from the storm, with narrower openings for closer flashes. Set the ISO to 100 or 200.

Taking the Photo

• Aim the camera toward the lightning, push the shutter release and wait until the lightning flashes, then release the shutter. This may take a while. Because the sky is dark, holding the shutter open with the ̶0;B̶1; setting does not allow too much light on the sensor before the lightning flash. If the camera does not have a ̶0;B̶1; setting, the shutter closes at each interval. In that case, press the shutter release again to hold the shutter open for another interval.

Daytime Lightning Photos

• Photographing lightning during the day is an entirely different process. The ̶0;B̶1; setting cannot be used, because too much light enters the sensor, making the entire picture overexposed. Set the camera as you would for night photography, except the shutter speed is dependent on the aperture chosen. Watch the sky and, when lightning flashes, there is about 0.2 seconds to aim, press the shutter release and capture it.