Lightning Photography...

When a storm approaches the best thing a photographer can do is seek shelter and protect his camera and expensive equipment from the harsh environment.

However with storms comes a photographer's once in a lifetime chance to photograph lightning. It's a dangerous business as lightning is unpredictable and can strike down anytime. As the weather worsens it better to have shelter closeby.

Today an approaching storm brought with it very frequent lightning but heavy cloud cover did not allow the streaks of light to be exposed. Yet I was undeterred to shoot lightning for the first time in my life.

I had the equipment and all I needed now was the courage...

1. set your camera on a steady tripod

2. focus to infinity and double check your focus on the LCD

3. set the ISO to the lowest base ISO (I used ISO 100)

4. set the camera to bulb mode

5. using a lens with the widest angle will increase the probability of capturing lightning (I used a 16mm)

6. use a wireless trigger or an intervalometer to click the shutter

7. set the f stop to f/8 for as a starting point and expose click for 10 to 12 sec and hope for lightning to strike.

After a lot of hit and trial and a bit of patience I finally got my shot. Being my very first capture of lightning ever in my life it felt so exciting and satisfying.

Thank you mother Nature...

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