How to Photograph Lightning

Storm chasers are the brave individuals who face the elements to capture breathtaking images of weather phenomena. Amongst the roaring thunder and torrential downpours, lightning bolts illuminate the sky, creating a mesmerizing sight that begs to be photographed. Renowned photographer Jim Reed shares his invaluable tips for photographing lightning.

The Danger of Lightning Photography

Before diving into the details, it is crucial to emphasize the danger of photographing lightning. Lightning is one of the most hazardous natural occurrences to capture. Jim Reed, based on his own close calls, advises that if you can hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by lightning. To minimize this risk, he suggests staying in a hard-topped vehicle and using a window mount. Alternatively, set up a tripod-mounted camera outdoors and use a remote trigger from the safety of your home.

Tips for Capturing Lightning

Jim Reed reveals his three objectives when photographing lightning: capturing a sharp bolt, selecting a composition that isolates the lightning, and showcasing creativity. Experiment with different times of the day and temperatures. Utilize the colors of a red sunset or the blue hues of twilight to enhance your photos. Being artful and creative is key to producing captivating lightning images.

Preferred Lenses for Lightning Photography

Reed shares his preference for various lenses. His go-to lens is the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, but he also utilizes the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II for zoomed-in shots that provide a pilot's point-of-view. Additionally, the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens is another favorite, enabling Reed to capture wider perspectives.

Education and Resources

To learn more about photographing lightning, Reed recommends researching the subject online. Numerous photographer and storm chaser websites offer tips and real-life examples. He has also written about the topic in several publications, including Jill Waterman's book, "Night & Low-Light Photography."

Different Types of Lightning

Reed classifies lightning into four categories for photography purposes: type, intensity, pattern, and color. The most frequent types are cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud (known as 'crawlers'), and intra-cloud lightning. The intensity guides the camera settings, as brighter bolts require different exposure settings than dimmer ones. Lightning patterns can range from solitary bolts to multiple, zigzagging strikes. Lastly, lightning can appear in various colors, such as white, red, yellow, green, blue, or purple, depending on atmospheric conditions and temperature.

Safety Measures for Lightning Photography

Ensuring safety is paramount when photographing lightning. Remember the golden rule: if you can hear thunder, you are at risk. Seek shelter in a hard-topped vehicle with a window mount or use a remote trigger from indoors. If a storm produces frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, stay inside your vehicle or quickly set up your camera on a tripod and operate it remotely from a safe location.

Protecting Your Gear

Jim Reed rarely uses rain covers for his Nikon cameras due to their excellent sealings. His preferred scenario is to photograph lightning before the rain begins. In case of light sprinkles, he uses a lens shade to protect the front element. If the camera gets wet, he dries it with a soft, lint-free cloth. During heavier rain, he seeks shelter in a vehicle or a safe indoor structure.

Necessary Gear for Lightning Photography

Reed emphasizes that he never approaches lightning photography the same way twice. He adapts to each storm and lightning bolt's unique characteristics. He suggests starting with a Nikon D-SLR camera that produces minimal noise. The Nikon D3S and D700 are his top recommendations. Investing in fast lenses, such as the 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, or 70-200mm f/2.8, is essential. Lastly, a remote control cable or compact modulite remote facilitates capturing lightning strikes.

Camera Settings for Lightning Photography

Reed typically sets his camera to manual exposure, using 3D Color Matrix Metering with auto white balance. His initial settings include a shutter speed of BULB, aperture at f/5.6, ISO 400, and manual focus. After reviewing the initial images, he adjusts the ISO based on the brightness or dimness of the lightning bolt. The shorter the shutter speed, the sharper the lightning image. Utilizing tools like the Lightning Trigger can aid in achieving this sharpness, but it is still necessary to adjust ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance.

Additional Tips from an Expert

Jim Reed shares some additional advice:

Switch to manual focus for sharper images.
Aim to capture lightning ahead or away from heavy rainfall to avoid softening the image.
Don't hesitate to crop your photos in post-production to enhance the composition.
Compose your shots carefully, avoiding distracting elements like power lines, traffic, or airplanes.
Practice regularly to improve your skills in capturing stunning lightning images.

Jim Reed, with over two decades of experience, has mastered the art of capturing storms' beauty and devastation. While venturing into lightning photography, always prioritize safety. Lightning not only provides stunning visual opportunities but also plays a crucial role in assisting storm spotters and chasers in identifying tornadoes during nighttime hours. Stay safe and unleash your artistic vision to capture the power of lightning.