Capturing Lightening on camera.
We had a lovely storm over Pretoria, with magnificent lightening. Camera out on the stoop and by setting the camera to take 7 photos, at a speed of 3 per second, one tries to anticipate the strikes. I managed to capture some, but not the best ones, oh well I’m sure that won’t be the last storm….
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
I have never attempted to capture a lightning storm but I am sure it is rather difficult. You did an admiral job Bulldog! 🙂
I still think these are great! 🙂
Thank you…
They are GREAT, Bulldog!! I mean it 🙂 It is extremely difficult to photograph and your takes are really good. Bravo 🙂
Thank you…
We don’t get lightning often enough to practice on, but your snaps are great!!!
Try it when you do…
I never succeed when I try to do this, so great job!
Thanks … just been told to video it and take a snap from that…
So so awesome!! I’ve never managed to capture any lightening and we have had a ton around my part of the world….increasingly so in this past year. Your photos are just so clear! I’ve heard of friends who will video a lightening storm then grab a still shot from the video. I shouldn’t be surprised you would capture lightening so very well!! 😉 Hugs & Blessings ~
Now that is an idea I never thought of… my camera takes videos…
Yay! Always happy if I can pass on usable information! 🙂 Been hit or miss for online time…hoping to catch up soonest! Hugs ~
Much better than my normal results, which seem to operate like the whales on too early or too late.
Oh Col I know the feeling… that finger that won’t work as fast as the brain… older age I think they call it…
You definately were at the right place at the right time…awesome photos.
Thank you so much… will keep trying for the better strikes…
Love it! Wow – I’m kind of jealous – I have never been able to catch lightning except on video.
It is a lot of fun..(and swearing when you miss the good ones)
I think you captured them all beautifully with the first one being my favorite. Stunning captures.
Thank you… I like that I managed to capture some … but hate that I missed all the good ones…
I’ll take your word for it that these aren’t the best, Rob. I think they’re pretty darned good! 🙂 It’s nice to pick up pointers from other photographers, though. I am sure you’ll keep practicing, but like I said, I like these. 🙂
Oh don’t get me wrong I’m ecstatic I managed to capture these… but there are some that are so beautiful, with multiple forks etc..those are the ones I’d like to capture as well…
I like the third one. Queen palms frame things so well. Lovely storms – great job
Thank you… the palms do aid in showing the distance as well…
I love storms and your pictures (the sky seems almost tinged in a soft purple color) Very nice!
Thank you…
Those Highveld storms are really something, and I do miss them since we moved away from Johannesburg. I think you did very well, bulldog. Your pics are great. 🙂
Thanks AD… I’ll keep trying for that elusive strike…
I sympathize, Rob. Whenever I try to get the sound of the wind or of the rain, as soon as I get the camera going, the wind dies. It’s as if some sounds are too beautiful to be caught in a recording…
Yes Chris maybe Nature wants us to rather sit and enjoy than try to capture what it has…
Good effort – seems to be going round the world at the moment with lightening as we’ve just had some too! Well done you for capturing them though – we’re far too lazy……
Thanks it is one of those things you can do from a chair… that’s why I do it… you never see me posting on hikes and bike rides… I’m far to lazy…
Very impressive lightning strikes.
Thanks Chris…
You may not like them, but I do!! Exciting 🙂 I keep missing your posts because they keep getting sent to
“spam”…I mark them “not spam” and two days later I wonder why you’re not posting…they’re back in spam
aaaaarrrrgghhhh!!!!!!!
I like these captures but I miss all the good ones… those that have fingers in all directions… we’ll just have to keep on trying…
Just don’t get zapped!!!!!!!
I love the thunder and lightning we get there, but can never photograph it. Thanks for sharing your shots! They look awesome to me!
Thanks Skye…
I love thunder and lightning! I have never been able to take a photo of it. I think these are pretty good! Can you set the camera to take like 200 every second?
I wish I could.. that would make it easier… lol
I’d say you managed to capture some pretty nice shots. Colorado has lots of lightening and although I’ve attempted to capture, I’m always seconds too late. So Kudos to you, no easy task 🙂
Thanks Ingrid… it’s the trying to anticipate the where and when…
Interesting Rob – I would like to try this, however, we do not get too many electrical storms in the UK.
Thanks Brian… it’s to catch the one special one that keeps me trying…
You got some terrific shots!! I miss good old fashioned lightning storms. Oregon doesn’t get them.
Wow I would miss them to… nothing like the flash and bang …
You got some great lightning shots. They’re difficult to get . . . I’ve tried. . . and tried . . . and tried. 🙂
Thanks Maralee… I keep missing the best ones…
These are fantastic, Bulldog. I have not been able to photograph lightning properly, or the moon for that matter 🙂
The moon I find very difficult as well… the lightening is just anticipating the strike… if you get the timing right ..easy… but let me say, about 2% had lightening in the result … my guessing and the lightening’s strikes are not really in sync … lol
Great shots!
Thank you Patricia
Love how you used the trees as a frame … thus the perfection of the first pic.
Thanks Frank… had to be under roof it was raining and I thought the trees would give it some kind of perception…
Stunning electric shots captured by Rob behind the lens. Nothing escapes him. Electrifying storms over the Highveld are common the past 38 years living in Pretoria.
Thanks for the visit and comment Zita… they certainly are loud and close here… just need to capture one of the good ones…
Magnifiche!!! Scatti stupendi.
Ciao, Pat
Thanks Patrizia…
I love lightning and thunder, something we have had quite often in Florida. Love seeing lightning in pictures too but never manged to catch it. The only drawback to mother natures wrath is that sometimes she does strike too close…one time hitting the house I happened to be visiting , catching it on fire. So, now I watch… but keep half an eye for the nearest escape route.
I have had some near misses whilst on the golf course… but I just want one good shot …
Wonderful lighting shots dear Rob, Thank you, I hope sun is there now, love, nia
Thanks Nia…
This just so amazing – fantastic job here …. I don’t like thunder. Very powerful shots .. and it’s so difficult to take photos of lightning. We have a massive storm coming … over us, but no lighting.
Thanks Viveka, I love the lightening and resulting thunder… it’s to capture that elusive good flash…
You did a great job … I can hardly capture a firework. *smile Very dramatic photos.
You tried and you got a couple so that is good! The long exposure tip is a good one.
I will definitely be trying that one…
You captured the lightning beautifully.
Thank you.. for such a kind comment and for the visit…
I saw this on your facebook page and had to come over! WOW!
Thanks Jasmine…
Lightning make for amazing photographs, challenging to catch.
Thanks Alex…. sleeping in a tent in a heave storm would be a challenge for me…
Wow, I think they are awesome! I have never even considered trying to capture lightning before because I figured it would be too difficult, so I think you did an amazing job :).
Thank you.. I have in the past managed some quite good ones and that keeps me going to capture the best…
Howzit Rob. I have managed to get some success . Try doing a long exposure ,say 30 seconds with your is0 at 100 and the app at around 15 ,turning your app down with each shot to get the best results. This has worked for me. hope this helps and keep the photos coming !!
Hey thanks for the tip… I missed so many of the good ones the other night… will try this next storm…