Lightning Season

[WJT]

Here;s a few shots from the start of this years Darwin season A few anvil crawlers. I'm chasing storms a bit more this year and hoping to get plenty more images before its over. Using 100 ISO, F: 7 and 30 seconds for most shots, contrary to some of my earlier advice which I recommended a smaller aperture setting. C&C welcome
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[Donald]

Wayne

Do you leave the shutter open for the full 30 seconds, irrespective of when the lightning flash takes place within that 30-second window?

The question was prompted by my noticing that the waves on the water are well defined. For a 30 second exposure I would have expected to see water much more smoothed out. Is the lighting acting like a strobe on the water and what we're seeing is the water as if it had been lit by a flash set-up?

I think these lightning shots are just wonderful.

[WJT]

Wayne

Do you leave the shutter open for the full 30 seconds, irrespective of when the lightning flash takes place within that 30-second window?

The question was prompted by my noticing that the waves on the water are well defined. For a 30 second exposure I would have expected to see water much more smoothed out. Is the lighting acting like a strobe on the water and what we're seeing is the water as if it had been lit by a flash set-up?

I think these lightning shots are just wonderful.

Hi Donald, thanks and yes the lightning is freezing the ripples on the water which are no otherwise visible in the dark, so its like a flash set up. Pretty cool when you think about it, a big old nature flash. Other ways of doing it is with a remote cable release and the bulb setting, just leaving it open until you get a strike, or with a lightning sensor. Its highly addictive either way. Most of these shots are taken after midnight and chasing storms all over the place. Its great when you get a big one though (a lot like fishing).

[gregj1763]

Awesome photo's Wayne. Wish I was back up there to try my hand at getting some of these images.

[Suzan J]

Hi Wayne: I love these purply lightning shots. Pardon my ignorance, but what is an "anvil crawler"? Do be careful out there...

[Bobobird]

Wonderful captures.

There is this something about lightning that can get addictive. I too take as many as possible when possible. Same technique.

[Mike Buckley]

The serenity and power combined with the composition make the third one really special for me.

[batmura]

Amazing shots!

[WJT]

Hi Wayne: I love these purply lightning shots. Pardon my ignorance, but what is an "anvil crawler"? Do be careful out there...

Hi Susan, and anvil crawler is a cloud to cloud (CC) lightning flash, it crawls across the sky but doesnt touch down. A cloud to ground (CG) is a lightning strike. About 95% of lightning is negative lightning, the CG strikes are more likely to be possitive and much more hazardous. They are both great to see. I'm no expert on lightning but trying to learn more as time goes on.

[WJT]

Thanks all for your comments, I will keep them coming for the next couple of months. I'm hoping to get soemthing special for my wall this season.

[PRSearls]

Those are great shots, Wayne. Our thunderstorm season is over until next April. i've been hit by lightning three times during corporate flying causing minor damage each time. It's really bright up close and you could hear the "pop" each time.

Paul S

[WJT]

Those are great shots, Wayne. Our thunderstorm season is over until next April. i've been hit by lightning three times during corporate flying causing minor damage each time. It's really bright up close and you could hear the "pop" each time.

Paul S

My goodness Paul. So much to look forward to. The closest I have come is 100 metres and that was exciting enough. I'm sure you dont enjoy lightning as much when your flying, although you must see some spectacular sights.

[Mike Buckley]

an anvil crawler is a cloud to cloud (CC) lightning flash, it crawls across the sky but doesnt touch down. A cloud to ground (CG) is a lightning strike.

Is there a term pertaining to a ground-to-cloud flash?

[WJT]

Is there a term pertaining to a ground-to-cloud flash?

Not to my knowledge Mike, ground to clouds are rare (cloud to grounds are more common). :-)