Question about taking pictures of lightening - The DIS Discussion Forums

tazdev3225 · 07-26-2009, 10:21 PM

I have a Sony A300. We were having some really nice lightening bolts shooting through the sky. One of my goals is to photograph this. I tried to take some shots with my A300 and the camera would not take a picture. I used my Sony H-10 and managed to get one semi decent shot. I cannot figure out why the A300 would not work. I took a shot inside with no problem. Was it too dark for the sensor? How do I compensate for that? I tried shooting with shutter and aperture priority as well as auto. I really want to master the camera but find myself going back to the advanced point and shoot out of frustration. Any advice would be appreciated.

spinetnglr · 07-26-2009, 10:41 PM

It might have been too dark for the camera to achieve focus. If its not focused the shutter wont work unless you can override that feature. Try manual focus and set the focus on infinity. If you are shooting in the dark you can also shoot on bulb mode ... set up on a tripod, point the camera in the direction you are seeing flashes of lightning, open the shutter until the lightning flashes and then close the shutter. It is a little easier than trying to "time" the shot and hope you catch the flash. I have not tried it with the digital but used to shoot lightning with my film slr that way.

zackiedawg · 07-27-2009, 12:17 AM

That's exactly right...use manual focus would be the best way when shooting in such an otherwise dark setting where the autofocus won't work. Another method would be to use autofocus by pointing at something distant on the horizon that is lighted, so the camera can grab the focus on that object, then while holding the half-press shutter down, recompose for the lightning and press.

Remember with lightning that you have to expose for the lightning, which is incredibly bright, and not the night scene. The camera may be tempted to use a wide open aperture since it is so dark, but if you shoot an exposure wide open with lightning you will almost certainly end up with a blown-out shot. Best to shoot in Aperture Priority where you can stop down a little bit.

Also, using a wired shutter release and a tripod is usually the best way to take photos of lightning, since you don't want to be standing with your finger on the button all day waiting for the next shot. Either use the remote to trigger the shutter intermittently, or use Bulb exposure mode to leave the shutter open continually for a minute or two until the lightning hits within the frame. Again, stopping down to a smaller aperture will definitely be needed in this scenario.

We've had a ton of lightning lately, but I've had no chances to shoot it - it's usually while I'm at work, or the few times it was at night, I don't feel like standing in 90 degree swamp weather covered in mosquitos for more than a minute or two, so I quickly give up any attempts at photography and run indoors!

tazdev3225 · 07-27-2009, 10:27 AM

Thank you both for your responses. I had a feeling that the dark skiy was the reason it wouldn't respond. I am just learning the DSLR and its intricacies. i did really well with my old 35mm but it had a built in meter and I was able to do alot with knowing little. I am determined to understand more of this camera before I go to WDW in Dec. I spend a lot of time lurking here to see what I can pick up0. It helped me with fireworks so I will continue to lurk.

07-26-2009, 10:21 PM	#1
tazdev3225 I sucked my thumb up with the vacuum I fell up a mountain skiing and sprained both my ankles Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: philadelphia, pa Posts: 1,490	Question about taking pictures of lightening I have a Sony A300. We were having some really nice lightening bolts shooting through the sky. One of my goals is to photograph this. I tried to take some shots with my A300 and the camera would not take a picture. I used my Sony H-10 and managed to get one semi decent shot. I cannot figure out why the A300 would not work. I took a shot inside with no problem. Was it too dark for the sensor? How do I compensate for that? I tried shooting with shutter and aperture priority as well as auto. I really want to master the camera but find myself going back to the advanced point and shoot out of frustration. Any advice would be appreciated.

07-26-2009, 10:41 PM	#2
spinetnglr DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 670	It might have been too dark for the camera to achieve focus. If its not focused the shutter wont work unless you can override that feature. Try manual focus and set the focus on infinity. If you are shooting in the dark you can also shoot on bulb mode ... set up on a tripod, point the camera in the direction you are seeing flashes of lightning, open the shutter until the lightning flashes and then close the shutter. It is a little easier than trying to "time" the shot and hope you catch the flash. I have not tried it with the digital but used to shoot lightning with my film slr that way. __________________ Karyl Nothing hits as hard as life. http://rewindtime.smugmug.com/ Nikon D300, D40, Nikkor 10.5 Fisheye 2.8, Nikkor 35mm f1.8 Nikkor 50mm f1.4, Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8, Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5, Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6ED, Speedlight SB-600

07-27-2009, 12:17 AM	#3
zackiedawg WEDway Peoplemover Rider Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,450	That's exactly right...use manual focus would be the best way when shooting in such an otherwise dark setting where the autofocus won't work. Another method would be to use autofocus by pointing at something distant on the horizon that is lighted, so the camera can grab the focus on that object, then while holding the half-press shutter down, recompose for the lightning and press. Remember with lightning that you have to expose for the lightning, which is incredibly bright, and not the night scene. The camera may be tempted to use a wide open aperture since it is so dark, but if you shoot an exposure wide open with lightning you will almost certainly end up with a blown-out shot. Best to shoot in Aperture Priority where you can stop down a little bit. Also, using a wired shutter release and a tripod is usually the best way to take photos of lightning, since you don't want to be standing with your finger on the button all day waiting for the next shot. Either use the remote to trigger the shutter intermittently, or use Bulb exposure mode to leave the shutter open continually for a minute or two until the lightning hits within the frame. Again, stopping down to a smaller aperture will definitely be needed in this scenario. We've had a ton of lightning lately, but I've had no chances to shoot it - it's usually while I'm at work, or the few times it was at night, I don't feel like standing in 90 degree swamp weather covered in mosquitos for more than a minute or two, so I quickly give up any attempts at photography and run indoors! __________________ My Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

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07-27-2009, 10:27 AM	#4
tazdev3225 I sucked my thumb up with the vacuum I fell up a mountain skiing and sprained both my ankles Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: philadelphia, pa Posts: 1,490	Thank you both for your responses. I had a feeling that the dark skiy was the reason it wouldn't respond. I am just learning the DSLR and its intricacies. i did really well with my old 35mm but it had a built in meter and I was able to do alot with knowing little. I am determined to understand more of this camera before I go to WDW in Dec. I spend a lot of time lurking here to see what I can pick up0. It helped me with fireworks so I will continue to lurk.