Thunder in the prairie

[sprinklerized]

My weekend was too short! But overall, it was a success. I got in to the Crowsnest Pass from Canmore at 12:30am, slept, got up, drove back to Lethbridge, went straight in to work, did my shift, went straight out to a photoshoot, and then went storm chasing. I could see lightning in the distance as I drove home, and followed it out to the west

Comments

[blitzen_]

holy crap that is an awesome photo! are you at all scared of being struck? i've driven through some VERy impressive inland storms here and been absolutely shit scared. argh!

[sprinklerized]

Well when the lightning was in the distance, I wasn't worried, and when it was nearby, I was in my truck, which is grounded thanks to the rubber tires (as I understand it, anyway). I observed the "hands in your lap" rule, because even if you are in your vehicle, but touching a metal part of it (door and window handles, radio dials, stickshift, steering wheel, etc.), it can conduct through that apparently. Once the rain stopped, I put down my window and had my camera resting on the ledge there... not sure if that was OK, but hey, I'm still here! There's only been one time I was scared in a storm, and that was when I was home alone out in the mountains at my parent's place and the thunder was so loud that it shook the house, and the lightning was so close that it lit up the dark house!

[jaanka]

DAMM!! That is an amazing photo!
I would love to get into lightening photography, any tips?

[sprinklerized]

Thanks! It's actually not that hard. Setting-wise, I use shutter priority at between 30 and 60 seconds depending on the frequency of the lightning. Ideally, if you have a remote or cable release, it would be best to use bulb mode so you can determine exactly how long you want the shutter open. I use ISO 100 to keep the grain down and keep it from being overexposed (assuming it is dusky out). If it is dark out, you can leave the shutter open til the cows come home if you want, and get multiple strikes on one shot. Obviously a tripod is preferred, but I didn't have mine with me and so this pic was taken with my $1700 camera propped up on the window ledge of my truck. :D

[maggies_lens]

*is in awe and will never post her own crappy shots ever again* ;-)

[sprinklerized]

Nooo, I like seeing your pictures! :) And you should see all the other crappy shots I took last night. This is one of three that turned out!

[k7point5]

oh my god AWESOME shot. I have never been able to take a successful lightening shot.

[sprinklerized]

It's not hard -- you just have to be patient! Put the camera on a tripod or stable surface, put it on shutter priority (30-60 seconds works well), ISO 100, and keep taking pics until you get some lightning in one! You can get multiple strikes in one shot if you are lucky. :)

[thepartyline]

that is gorgeous!