how can i do lightning photography at night?

Last night, i was trying to capture a lightning but i always fail... all the time. I don't know what kind of setting to use with the camera. can someone help me how? =] or maybe the settings might be the same as for fireworks shots?

Tags: howto, lightning, photography, technique

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Permalink Reply by vjekoslav antic on July 24, 2008 at 5:43am: Hi Maeda,look my photos of moonlight.I need first to know if you trying to take photos with city light pollution or you go out of town where is no pollution but only moon light.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maeda on July 24, 2008 at 6:44am: Uhmm... I'm taking picture with a cloudy weather. There is no moonlight or any other street lights only thunderstorm clouds. Although when there is lightning, it is visible.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by vjekoslav antic on July 24, 2008 at 8:43am: I am sorry I miss understanding.Basic is the same,you need wide lens,manual focus to infinity,tripod and B mode.Yust pres button and hold (with remote control or with wire-I don't know name) when lightning end release button. Aparature on F:14.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Todd Whetstine on July 24, 2008 at 1:57pm: I usually Start at ISO 100 at f8 m mode and when the storm comes I just keep taking 30 sec shots until the storm passes. I don't use the in camera noise reduction either it takes alot of time processing information and that means wasted shots and alot of battery power wasted. I do noise reduction with a noise reducing plug-in Topaz vivacity, ( Ilearned about this plugin on this site.) Free 30 day trial also.
If the background of the photo is too bright then adjust your apeture accordingly. Let the camera finish the 30 sec. shot even if lightning strikes you may get several lightning strikes in the 30 sec.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chuck Borelli on July 30, 2008 at 9:37pm: Hi Maedea, here are some tips I found:
Things You’ll Need:
35 mm camera with bulb setting
cable release
tripod
lightning
dry place to stand or umbrella
Step1 Find a location, where you can have a relatively dry place to stand. If you are going to use an umbrella, just wait for an evening storm.
Step2 Once the lightning storm is heading your way. Get your camera set up. For this you may need to consult your cameras owners manual to make the appropriate changes. Set up your camera as follows: Lens should be set to manual focus, shutter speed to "bulb", f-stop to maximum for your camera, plug in cable release, set camera on tripod and choose your composition.
Step3 Your composition will be based on your surroundings.
Step4 Once you have the camera set and the storm timed out... press and lock your cable release open till the lightning strikes, then imediately release the cable release, closing the shutter and ending the recording of data. Repeat till the entire storm passes.
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Permalink Reply by Maeda on July 31, 2008 at 3:59am: ohh crap! no wonder... but i'm still not sure how to use the remote thingy.. and... can't find the bulb mode @_@. but anyway, thank you very much everybody! =]; ▶ Reply to This