Something different.

[Mac]

As the last few days have been slightly on the wet,windy and flashy side,
I had a go at something different.

[Rick]

Atmospheric!  

[JohnP]

Hi Mac,

That's cool - A good shot... I always fancied trying to image lightning myself. How exactly did you do it - was it just point the camera in the general direction & leave the shutter open in the hope of lightning..? Also I presume you were under cover somewhere unless you have a waterproof camera...?

cheers,  John

[Rocket Pooch]

Excellent photo, I like it.

Chris

[Mac]

It was taken from the dryness of my house

Luckly the rain was in a faverable position and wasn't
blowing in through the open window.

And yes its mainly point and hope.

Basically I set the tripod up looking out of the window,
Set the shutter to bulb and focused on infinity.

Each time i saw a flash I used a cable release to take a picture,
Holding the shutter open for about 3 - 4 secs.

In all i took about 40 pics and managed to get 4 pictures when the
lightning was actually in the shot.

Technical details.
Nikon D100 6mp.
24mm lens
400 ISO
2.4 Secs
f3.5

Using Photoshop.
Resized image to 800 wide,
Removed spots and blemished, (might be easier to clean my sensor).
Change the white balance to Tungsten. (removes skyglow)

Links to the other shots.

http://www.macrhon.demon.co.uk/photos/index.htm

Notes.
9110 is the unprocessed photo.
& 9091 is shot using .Jpg
the rest were raw photos.

[Tony G]

Hi Mac
I was trying to take the same kind of photo's, but its a bit harder with a conventional digital because you have to try and fore see 2 seconds before the lightning that it will actually appear 2 seconds from when you push that button, anyway I got soaked so went back in.
Anyway lovely shots Mac.

Tony G

[JohnP]

Thks for technical details... One more question 'What's behind the big tree on the left...' nearly all the bolts of lightening seem to be attracted to this area.... Just curious

Cheers,  John

[Mac]

Nothing realy,

Just another tree not as big,

Even further afield there are a few houses and bungalows and then woodland, for about 2 miles.

Its just the way the photos have been taken.

Just an optical illusion.

[Fay]

Very clever shot, Mac, I like it!

Fay

[Mike]

I was  hoping to do the same thing the same night, but by the time i'd got set up the storm had passed.  Great shot Mac.