How to Safely Capture Stunning Lightning Photos

29 May 2024

Taking pictures of thunderstorms can be really exciting, but keeping yourself safe is the most important thing. Lightning is one of the most dangerous natural events to try to photograph, because thunderstorms can happen suddenly and move quickly. One helpful tip is to count the number of seconds between seeing a flash of lightning and hearing the thunder sound, then divide that number by five to figure out how many miles away the storm is. Watching which way the storm is moving compared to where you are can also help you avoid danger.

The safest way to photograph lightning is from inside a building. Set up your camera pointing out a window and use a remote to take the pictures. If looking through just the window feels too limiting, you can put your camera outside and control it wirelessly from indoors. For those who are feeling more adventurous, you can also take pictures from inside a vehicle while chasing the storm. Find out more about capturing extreme weather with storm chaser and meteorologist, Paul Knightley FRMetS, in this video.

No matter which approach you choose, it's super important to keep paying close attention to how often the lightning is striking and how much time passes between seeing the flash and hearing the thunder. Position yourself on the outer edges of the storm instead of right in the middle. Not only is this safer, but it also lets you get better quality shots without getting quite so wet!

Essential Gear for Capturing Lightning Strikes

A camera equipped with the capability to capture long exposure shots, such as a DSLR.
A sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady during extended shutter speeds.
A remote shutter release or intervalometer to trigger the camera without introducing blur from physically pressing the shutter button.
A weather radar application on your smartphone, enabling you to pinpoint areas experiencing lightning activity.
Protective gear to shield both you and your camera from potential rainfall during the photoshoot.

Poised for the perfect photo

Once you have your camera gear ready and a thunderstorm is getting closer, it's really important to pick the right spot to increase your chances of getting a good lightning shot. If you're trying to photograph during the day, it might be better to record video instead of still photos. That's because capturing lightning usually requires a slow shutter speed, which can be tough in bright daylight conditions. However, if you get lucky, the storm could happen in the evening or at night. Taking pictures of lightning is way easier after the sun goes down, since you can use longer exposures to better freeze the lightning strike in the frame.

Camera Settings for Daytime Lightning Photography

Set up your camera on a tripod
Focus the lens to infinity
Set the aperture to f/16 or smaller to allow for a longer shutter speed
Set ISO to the lowest value, e.g., ISO 100
Take a test exposure using the slowest possible shutter speed to check correct exposure
Use a remote timer/intervalometer to continuously trigger the shutter

Camera Settings for Nighttime Lightning Photography

Mount your camera on a tripod
Focus the lens to infinity
Set the aperture to a medium value, such as f/5.6 or f/8, for a longer shutter speed and improved image quality
Use a low ISO setting, between 100-400
Set the shutter speed between 5 and 20 seconds, if possible
Take a test shot to ensure proper scene exposure, keeping in mind that a lightning strike could significantly brighten the frame
Stay vigilant and try to anticipate where the next strike may occur, composing your shot accordingly and awaiting the strike

The Versatility of Different Focal Lengths

Wider angle lenses give you a better chance of fitting a lightning bolt in the frame. However, if the thunderstorm is really far away, a super wide angle may not be the best option. Remember, it's safer to photograph storms from the outer edges rather than up close. In those cases, a mid-range telephoto lens works better. Focal lengths anywhere from around 14mm up to 200mm can work well for lightning photography. The longer the lens, the more zoomed-in and compressed the image will look, making the lightning seem closer than it really is. But with a mid-telephoto lens, you have a smaller area in the frame, so your odds of actually capturing a strike go down.

To be in with a chance of winning up to £5,000, submit your lightning photos to the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year competition by 18 June 2024!