Photographing Storms

[RobbieB]

I feel it is time for me to continue mining the knowledgable PH photographers for tips.

Rumour has it that there are going to be some big storms where I live soon, and whether that is true or not is irrelevant.

Have any of you got any tips on photographing storms? Someone told me that if you leave it on a long exposure you can capture multiple strikes, but surely the flashes would ruin the picture? What is the best way to capture it and not over/underexpose the image?

[Simpo Two]

Assuming it's night-time, it's the flashes that make the exposure - so leave the shutter open and see what happens. If the background light becomes too bright, control it with smaller aperture or lower ISO. The rest is largely trial, error and luck!

[01101001]

Best to take the photos of the storm before it gets to you..or you will get wet

[itsnotarace]

Tripod and a remote release. Wide angle lens will help catch a large portion of the sky.

If you don't have a remote then use the self timer to avoid camera shake when you release the shutter, try for 30 second exposures if it's dark enough. Keep ISO low

With the remote release you could leave the shutter locked open and use black card to block the light from entering the lens, opening it when you think lightening is about to strike. Obviously if it's dark enough you can dispense with the card.

Lastly, watch your foreground!. Nothing worse than seeing great pictures of lightning and skies ruined by a housing estate or similar (excusable with nice cityscapes)

[paul911]

01101001 said:

Best to take the photos of the storm before it gets to you..or you will get wet

Very wise words

I have similar one too

[muppetdave]

Can't wait to have a crack at storms, fingers crossed we get some good ones like we did last year! I hadn't sussed how I needed to set up last year but will be all out to get some if I can this year.

[Andy M]

[RobbieB]

I do like the pictures above, very atmospheric. However, in addition to them I would like capture some lightning if possible. I might try that black card trick, thanks for that! Feel free to keep posting your pictures of storms, they are almost a fetish of mine!