First Attempt at Photographing Lightning

[Abilene06speed]

As I have stated numerous times in the past few days I just picked up a Nikon D40 and have been using it a lot. I love this camera. Well Sunday night a thunderstorm was coming through so I quickly grabbed my camera and my tripod and set up.

I just set the camera on bulb and pointed it at one section of the sky and held the shutter. After about 40 minutes and sitting there I only ended up with one shot of lightning.

I know all the houses and street lights take away from the lightning but I didnt want to drive out of town cause I just waxed the mustang.

This is my first attempt and since I live in Texas I will have plenty more opportunities for more.

What do u think. Anybody else have pics they have taken?

 

[94_Vert]

thats a nice looking pic

 

[99riocobra]

i think that looks freakin sweet! in a wierd way i think the street light adds a little to it...

 

[Reloaded]

i think that looks freakin sweet! in a wierd way i think the street light adds a little to it...

I agree. That is a VERY cool looking pic. Nice work :banana:

 

[lightitup]

Very nice pic :thumbsup:

 

[66temp]

Thats pretty sick man! I've always wanted to photograph thunderstorms but I never seem to get the chance too....Great shot :thumbsup:

 

[Red Koolaid]

WOW!!!!! nice shot!

 

[My94GT]

great shot, i like the street lights in there too.

 

[nasty04mach1]

Thats a real pic? Damn look sick man. Great job

 

[86blackwidow]

Wow that looks crazy good job.

 

[Sniperdog]

:bowdown: AWESOME!!!!
for a sec .,., I thought you meant the truck

 

[svtpolice]

Very nice bro. Very nice.

 

[HYBRED]

Great pic! That's something I've always wanted to try.

 

[CobraBob]

Very cool pic! Whewn you say you held the shutter for 40 minutes, did you use a remote? I just can't imagine holding it that long without your finger getting numb. LOL! I ask because I'm just getting into DSLR cameras and stuff like this intrigues me.

 

[Abilene06speed]

Very cool pic! Whewn you say you held the shutter for 40 minutes, did you use a remote? I just can't imagine holding it that long without your finger getting numb. LOL! I ask because I'm just getting into DSLR cameras and stuff like this intrigues me.

No I didnt hold the shutter for 40 minutes. I sat outside trying to take pictures for 40 minutes. Sorry if my wording is a little confusing.

I held the shutter for about 10 seconds then the lightning struck and I released the shutter and this is what I came up with.

This pic is straight from the camera. No alterations besides resizing it.




Thank you to everyone for all the compliments. :thumbsup:

 

[VirtualSVT]

That is a perfect picture. The streetlight and houses add to it.

 

[Abilene06speed]

Wow im kinda surprised everyone likes the streetlight. I thought it mighte take away from the pic since the lightning strike isnt that big. Thanks again.

 

[black01mustang]

Nice shot I bought a d40x about 3 mths ago and love it you may look into getting a remote for it. They only cost like 13.99 on amazon.

 

[Abilene06speed]

Nice shot I bought a d40x about 3 mths ago and love it you may look into getting a remote for it. They only cost like 13.99 on amazon.

haha its funny you say that. I just ordered a remote a few hours ago from amazon. It will be here friday:banana:

 

[92GreenGT]

Great work, Lightning pics are fun to take and are relatively easy. Usually turn out a pretty stunning photo as well, most people think you "got lucky" when taking the pic.

Here is one I took a year or so ago, haven't gotten any since
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92greengt/2318247977/