Lightning on Christmas Day

[Striker]

We had Christmas at my Aunties place up in the hill's over Caboolture...the storms were rolling in so we took some Lightning pics.

This was my first time doing Lightning shots.

Final image was 20 x 15 second exposures at ISO 100 F8 using Canon 17-40mm L series lens....stacked...it wasn't dark yet so I had to deal with the light.

I am happy with my first attempt.

[Orion]

Wow nice pic, looks like it must of been a hell of a storm!

[[1ponders]]

Pretty impressive Tony.

[Astroman]

Nice combination Tony, not a huge fan of that many strikes in a photograph, but this one looks pleasant to the eye, not like some which are a bit over done.

Good work.

[RB]

Awesome Tony.

Was that with the 20Da?

[TidaLpHasE]

That's awsome Tony, the full res must be amazing.
That is the best lightning shot i have seen in a long while, the colors are grouse.

[cometcatcher]

First time? Your a natural!

[h0ughy]

amazing, it looks as though it is alive and walking, war of the worlds stuff !!

[Striker]

Thanks guys.....It was a lot of fun taking the images.

My settings of 100 ISO at F8 with 15 second exposures...should I try a higher F ratio next time and longer exposures.....??????

Yes Andrew...20DA

[jjjnettie]

We were watching that storm from the other side of Kilcoy. It was truely awesome. Lighting everywhere. Thanks for the pic Tony.

[RB]

Those settings sound good Tony.
It won't hurt to experiment either way.

[Astroman]

The F ratio is dependant on the storm and light, same as the exposure time is dependant on the light and storm, beauty of digital photography is you can see your results, dont be afraid of losing a few strikes to get your settings right, you will be rewarded. Use the lightning as the flash, stop the exposure after the bolt frame your pictures and most importantly be aware of your surroundings, nothing worse than someone sneaking up behind you and scarring the living daylights out of you! Also dont hide under trees, some have a habbit of dropping sap, oh and lightning usually hits them too :P

[Striker]

Thanks Andrew.....I didn't stop any exposures...I just let it go 15 seconds at a time with a 2 second gap between exposures.....I will stop the exposure like you said next time.

[Jonathan]

That's a nice picture Tony, looks really good.

[beren]

Like Andrew not a fan of images with to many strikes but works well in your image Tony very nice indeed , good ambiance and colour :)

[gaa_ian]

Great Shot Tony ... certainly captures the feeling of the storm.
I could see that one gracing the pages of the Courier Mail, etc !

[davidpretorius]

brilliant effort. that is great !