How to Photograph Lightning - Tutorial & Pro Tips
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- How to take beautiful pictures of lightning and the best cameras for lightning photography and video. Camera settings and tips... To license video contact hankschyma@yahoo.com
TRIPOD
Use a tripod so that you can take long exposures without motion blur. The heavier the tripod, the better. Instead of pushing the shutter button on your camera body, use a cable release. That way you won’t risk moving the camera with your big clumsy finger.
FOCUS TIP
Set your camera on manual focus and focus on infinity. CAREFUL! Many camera lenses focus beyond infinity so I always have to nudge my focus back a hair. Focus on a distant light to make sure you’re in perfect focus.
BEST CAMERA SETTINGS
ISO
Start with your ISO set at 100.
APERTURE / F-stop
Start off in the middle around F8.
If lightning is striking far away, and shows up too dim, open your f-stop more to f5.6 - f2 until all the branches are nice and bright. If you have too much light, close your f-stop to f11 - f22. If your f-stop is open all the way and the lighting branches still are not showing up well, then bump up your ISO to 200, 300, 400 etc.
EXPOSURE
When it’s finally dark enough, start taking long exposures… 1 second - 10 seconds or more depending on how much ambient light there is. My favorite time to shoot lightning is at sunset. Because of all the existing light, you can only leave your shutter open a second or two. Once it’s pitch black, you can leave your shutter open for 10, 20, 30 seconds or more.
BEST CAMERAS FOR LIGHTNING PHOTOGRAPHY
The best cameras for lightning photography are the ones with manual settings options. Most digital DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras have these options. Nikon, Cannon, Sony, Fuji, etc. all work great.
HOW TO TAKE PICTURES OF LIGHTNING WITH A PHONE
The best way to take photos of lightning with a phone camera is to just shoot video and then take a screen grab of a good frame. You might get lucky trying to take a photo with burst mode or by simply taking a normal photo, but the cards are stacked against you.
ROLLING SHUTTER vs GLOBAL SHUTTER
Most video cameras nowadays are equipped with a rolling shutter. that means the frames you are capturing are recorded through a scanning process that rolls down the sensor. Though this process occurs really fast, lightning is much faster. The result is often annoying blocky rectangles called partial exposures.
Most negative lightning strikes I capture on video are ruined with partial exposures. Positive lightning channels and anvil crawler lightning tend to exist longer, thus are captured some-what better by rolling shutters. While shooting video of lightning with a rolling shutter, I usually set the shutter speed at 30, the frame rate at 30 and cross my fingers.
Another option is to invest in a camera with a global shutter. A global shutter scans a snapshot of the entire scene all at once. So, no partial exposures. The catch is you'll likely spend thousands of dollars at least on a good HD or 4K camera and the global shutter technology is not one for low light sensitivity.
Music:
"Won't Pray Adagio" by Southern Backtones
guitar score by Hank Schyma
"Ode to Joy" performed by Hank Schyma
** FREE Pecos Hank 2018 calendar poster file **
You can shrink it down and print it on your home printer, or have a shop print the full 24x16. You can also use it as your desktop background.
I’d love to know what country or state this poster is hanging up in so let me know in the comments.
Merry Christmas from Texas!
Download link:
www.dropbox.co...
"The greatest strikes happen in that short time between exposures." Whew, I thought Odin just liked screwing with me specifically, glad I'm not alone.
No, you are not alone. I feel exactly the same way
Yup, happens all the time
Yep. Buy 2 camaras :D
You mean thor
add me to the club
Last time in Georgia (the country) I was timelapsing the whole thing... 5 big strikes in a row, ALL of them between exposures.
"As you get more experience, you'll see lightning tends to strike in the short time between two exposures"
All. The Time.
The pros catch that one ;)
Oh yes yes yes but why why does it chose that time ahhh
I get so sad when the videos end....could watch Pecos Hank all day.
I know! I could watch a feature length documentary by this guy.
Found this video about a month ago as I was (unintentionally) sitting in a massive thunder storm trying to get a good shot, and failing. You explained everything wonderfully and I was able to get my first lightning photos so thank you!
A free tornado calendar from my favorite storm chaser, Best, Christmas, Gift, EVER!
You are seriously the best TH-camr! ❤
AGREED!
Yes he is.
Agreed
Agreed
I love thunderstorms since I'm a kid.
I bought a 2nd hand Sony Alpha A7s camera and 2 lenses!
The place where I'm living, you have thunderstorms twice a year if you're lucky. So I always checking the forecast and following the storms on the lighting maps.
Last night I went out and captured my first few 'blue cobwebs' in my life.
I only have a bicycle so I was riding with a huge backpack through the night around 1am to find a great spot.
I had a massive grin on my face on my way home and in my bed while I was falling asleep like 4 am even if I had to go to work at 6:30 am.
Thank you brother for sharing your pure and simple explanation in this video.
Some people says it's like fishing.... well it's way more exciting than that.
Wish you all the best!
Same.
Pecos Hank, I would just like to take a brief moment to thank you for the great content. I have been subscribed to your channel since I discovered it a few months ago while I researching a particular tornado. Your channel has since become one of my favorite subscriptions. It has been a mix of a few good laughs, tones of new knowledge learned, and amazing videos and photos of the indescribable beauty and awe that is mother nature's wraith and majesty.
Love hearing that! Thanks for taking the time to chime in Thorin.
Seconded for exactly the same reasons.
thirded for precisely the aforementioned sentiments.
All the time I've spent doing photography, this is the best explanation I've seen for how to do a slow shutter shot. Great job!
Came across your videos as far back as 2013. You are one of just a very select few I take inspiration from to get into landscape and storm photography. Just picked up a Nikon D3200 and beginning to learn. Not doing anything but learning and will eventually work via "trial and error."
Just found the calendar! My son (15) turned me on to your channel. Love the storms, love the snakes, love the humor. I'm going to get the calendar printed off for him. Thanks for all the mind-numbing boardum you have to go through to get the good stuff.
Tell him I said howdy. Cheers Jerry.
Your comedic relief is perfect in your videos. So informative but you always find a way to make me laugh or smile.
Hey Hank! Just a suggestion for the next tornado season, could you please also upload the whole chases (or most of the chase)? I am sure many, many people would dig watching a good long video full of Pecos Hank awesomeness!
I might hook you up with a loooooooong chaaaaaaaaaaaase. Those usually put people to sleep. but not the cool people
Please do!!!! I love watching full chase videos, and I can never get enough of yours... so a full Pecos Hank chase? YES PLEASE!
Pecos Hank PLEASEEEE! As others have stated, your followers would eat this up!
I'd love that too!
I'd be interested too!
Dude... nailed it. Informative + hilarious 🔥 You're sincerity translates well to your production value. This was sick!
My wife retired December 31st and I bought a Nikon Z50 for her. She has been wanting to do more photography now that she has the time. She’s watching this video is already taking notes. Thanks Hank👽
I've seen so many of your videos a million times, but somehow missed this one, and I'm glad it came up on my recommended today!!! I've been wanting to get into photographing lightning with my DSLR, but had no idea how to change my settings to capture it. Especially since I'm so new at photography! Thank you SO much for uploading this!!!
Same
I just don’t understand it Hank. Your followers are so loyal and gracious of your incredible content. How, after your weather channel appearances and your (unbeknownst to me until recently) early stuff on local news channels, do you not have millions of subscribers. I’m going to start sharing your gems, including this vid, on FB and hope that some of my friends’ list become subs to your channel. You warrant the recognition we Pecks Hank subs think you deserve....so people, if you feel the same way let’s get this amazing spirit and amazing person’s content to a wider audience!...whereas the merch hank?!? I’m really officially ready to by a shirt or a sticker or something, you’re amazing!
Sweet.... tutorials from Hank !!! More please !!!
I usually have my DSLR with me at work and was lucky enough one day some severe storms were rolling in as we got out of work, so I camped on the top of the parking garage and was able to capture a few strikes with the video method you used here. Extremely helpful video!
As far as Charisma, humor & down-to-earth-ness goes, a lot of storm chasers don't even reach your knees. You're a league of your own!
Hank, Hands down, you, you are Just amazing, your the one TH-camr that doesn't charge a outrageously high price, Or any price for that matter for your merchandise, lol!!!!! Well, I know what my family's getting for Christmas this year!!!
Hook em up Meghan. :D
YASSSSSSSSS
Daily dose of hank was well timed. Great video.
I dunno about everybody else here, but I could seriously just sit and watch your raw tornado chase footage for hours. I think I've binge watched most of the longer videos in your channel several times over at this point.
We'll see what 2018 brings. Thanks Calyo.
you have a really natural and easy way of explaining every thing that a photo snob would make so complicated no one would understand, good stuff
Thank you again for your uploads. Just remember: You still have a free beer (or 6) waiting on you in northeast Houston.
Maybe you could bring that free beer to the Continental Club in midtown on December 6?
Tonight?
Let me rephrase that: Name the place with a little more heads up (provided i am not on call with work), Consider the beers yours. Ive been to the Continental Club once before, its a pretty cool place.
0:14 I had paused the video right as he says "lemons" and heard instead "women" and was more than a little shocked at the words that followed...
orion khan I had to listen to that twice as well :)
Nothing brings happiness more than photographing lightning ⚡
Quarantined in the appropriate location - clicks trash bin! Dude, you’re hilarious while being an incredible teacher at the same time. I can’t believe I’ve only just found you. Thank you universe and thank you for your content 🙏
Awesome video ... Thanks for the tips and info !!! Have a great trip and Merry Everyone.
Interesting, informative, and beautiful photos!
I’m sat on our hotel balcony in the Italian alps hoping for some lightning after watching this!! Keep rockin it Hank!! Love your channel!! 👊
this is probably the most effective information video ive ever seen on youtube. cheers for this
Thanks for this; If I ever do this for a hobby, I'll have this video for backup!!!!!
:D
Good video
The fact you did this... wow. You're just an amazing person and you really care about your work and want others to know whats up. Kudos bro.
I'm not storm chaser, I'm a doctor who is more involved in sky, weather, stars, & the moon...and your video is great help to me, cuz right now I'm struggling with good branched lightening photograph.
Thank you so much 🤍
0:56 Hilarious!😅 Great video! I don't know how you learned all this, but you sure are a master!
6:16 This is what I was just asking. The only camera I'm able to capture good lightning on is my old mini DV cassette camcorder
You Just Made My Day!! - Say hello to your King Cobra in Thailand from all of your fans! Thanks Hank, Happy Holidays!
Dear Santa, All I want is a King cobra kiss of death ;D
Hank, upload more videos please! Always look forward for what you have to show us, just wish there was more of it!
I'll try to stop wasting my time making good videos so that I can upload more often ;D
Nice video bro I hope tornado season comes and hope u get large tornadoes :D
2nd
I managed to get 5 of these last night after watching this, one with branches at 30 seconds exposure, the best shots I’ve ever had in my life.
Without a doubt one of my favorite channels on TH-cam. Been watching all the videos that come through my recommendations and this one finally hooked me as a subscriber.
I saw this video a year ago which inspired me. Just caught my first lightning storm and I’m hooked!!
Boy you're so right about those Texas waterfall rain storms. Once visiting Brownwood Texas from Ohio I never saw it rain... and lightning... and hail as much in my life as I did there on several occasions. At least we didn't get any tornados while I was there. Dallas got all of those. Thanks for your great video.
By far the best explanation of shooting lightning I’ve ever watched!!!! Great photos. I learned a lot.
Just when I thought a Pecos Hank video couldn't get any better, you go and drop some pro tips and a free calendar! You are awesome! Thanks and Merry Christmas!
The lightning in SE Nebraska overnight 6/16-6/17 was THE most insane lightning I have ever seen.
I was in first grade and the sirens were going off and everyone clearing the school yard and i walked futher out in the field under the swirling clouds. Ive always been fascinated by such things. Watching this makes me wanna do this for fun some time. Thanks for the in depth details too.
One of the best TH-cam videos I have seen ever! Solid information and entertains, without the BS. Thanks from an old Irishman!! 🍀
By far the best lightning capture tutorial on TH-cam. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Thank you from a new subscriber.
Thanks for Subbing Michael.
Dude, you're the best out there. I haven't seen anyone else record storms like you do.
Those long film exposures are incredible
I just knew you were a Texan! 17 yrs. in Austin myself, in FL. now. Hey, great pics and tips there Bubba, thanks! Good night Austin Texas, where ever you are!
I discovered your channel with this video, October 22, 2018, I am not youtuber but I am a lightning hunter for more than 5 years, I am from Cancun Mexico and a group of people dedicate ourselves to this, here since July the lightning begins and ends in this month, we also drive towards the storm, blessed weather apps. I really like your video, at this moment I subscribe.
Just got into storm photography from just astrophotography and landscape. I’m a huge storm nerd in Kansas, so I plan on doing some chasing this spring since I’m SkyWarn certified. I also work at Mpix in Pittsburg, Kansas. The shoutout at the end made working some long hours in the photo processing and printing areas all worth it.
That's awesome Larry. I'm about to send another order to mpix today. You guys do great work.
How is this guy not at 1million subs yet, love the videos man
Ty for being one of the best storm channels out here on YT!!! Have fun in Japan and Thailand 😀 and good luck on the King Cobra hunt!
Hands down you are the world's best storm chaser...Happy Holidays!
I lucked out and purchased a camera suited to this subject. Panasonic FZ80. I set ISO at 80, manual focus on the horizon, aperture at f4.6 (sweet spot for this bridge camera). Now the magic! The camera has a 4K 'pre-burst' setting which yields 60 frames over 2 seconds (30 frames before the shutter is tripped, and 30 afterwards). The camera is always on, but only records this block of images when the shutter is released. So then...I set the internal intervalometer to 2 seconds. That means that every two seconds I get 60 frames exposed with no overlap, and no scene not captured. The 4K 8Mp frames are much higher resolution than those extracted via video frame extraction. But I also use extracted video frames, and stacking like Hank explained.
Loved this, if anyone is an inspiration to me when it comes to lightning photography it’s you Hank.
:D
Thanks, and good job to Pecos Hank ! this was my first Pecos Utube view. informational and entertaining !!!
its now 2021 and this video is still filled with great useful info. WELL DONE!!
I love technical videos like this. I learned a lot in the past ten minutes which is a common thing on your channel :) 👍
the internet connection in my room doesn't like me witching videos in 4K it only took me about an hour to watch the whole thing but its worth it, as you are one of the best, funniest youtubers and i hope to see you in the storm fields in the next 5 10 years
I loved this video. The energy. The information. Everything.
Mr. Hank, I wanted to thank you for this video. I passed the last three years trying to catch lightnings on photo by taking a picture every time one started to light the sky and... I think about one photo out of four was decent if not good. But now that I have the possibility to use a new camera and this video, I can try to up my game. So again, thank you! Also, enjoy yourself these holidays and go get that cobra! Plus, stay safe next season. Greetings from Italy
The most entertaining video tutorial I have witnessed
I came across your site 2 days ago while searching the Joplin,Mo. tornado! I saw for myself first hand what an F5 rated tornado could do. I was raised in Oklahoma, moved to Missouri for 30 years, then back to Oklahoma for 9, and been out here in Wyoming for a little over a year now. I've always been interested in tornado's and storms since being a teen. I probably took myself out of getting any decent photos/videos of tornado's/supercell storms by moving out of Tornado Alley to the sage plains of Wy.
I want to tell you that I really enjoy your Storm Chasing videos, your candid and naunaced little side scenes and quips! Also your technical knowledge and how you put to use, (Tips and Tricks)! I am subscribed to your channel and the channel of Orf, on his study with computer engineered software what makes Tornado's do what they do and what to look for! It is all fascinating to me and always has been. I want to learn as much as possible, and with people like yourself and the Scientific software being used in Wisconsin I believe, I and others will gain more knowledge of Storms and Tornado's. You stay on your toes and don't let a Storm/Twister pull an El Reno on you! The 2019 season is just around the corner! Looking forward to what you can come up with this year! I live for Storm Chasing through people such as yourself! Never been on a dedicated season of Storm Chasing myself. Keep up the great work, keep safe, and get that important footage and information to the right people!
Most Respectfully; Jon C.
Very nice and comprehensive video. I think you're covered nearly all the bases. There's only one other thing that is essential to getting good lightning and that's finding a location where there is such lightning.
And where you don't have it striking on the wrong side of a mountain range.
Love taking photos of lightning, and now with this awesome tutorial my photos will be even better, thank you so much 👍😉
Love this guy's style and not just his awesome photos.
first of all, great, great images, but a close second is the entertainment value. very funny in a most subtle manner...well done!
This is the video that got me into the channel!! One of the best in yt, in fact
Haha that was such a refreshing take on photography vlogs! Love it Pecos, can't believe I haven't come across your channel before.
Amazing story and amazing photography journey
Great videos Hank! You're a natural at explaining things. From camera setting to super-cell development. Two thumbs up!
You are not only a good photographer but also a very good youtuber. thanks for all these tips.
This is such a nice way to say thanks to your fans ! The calander is so cool I definitely have to get one printed out here in Ireland !
I've watched this several times now, and it's still funny every time. Hank is a pisser, and a good teacher!
Awesome work as always Hank!!! You're the best on TH-cam!!!
What a relief, I thought I was the only one that had the problem with lighting striking in between shots!😂😂✌
I don't know why, but I find your voice strangely calming.
I feel like listening to you, reading me Murakami or Edgar Allan Poe's poems.
Also, thank you for the knowledge you provided through this video.
Storms are beguiling and evokes deepest realms of unfurling enigma.
Regards from India.
HAHAHA!! You crack me up in this vid!!! Super Informative! Thanks for taking the time to upload this one Pecos!
Hey Hank, thanks for all your awesome video's! Man, you sure have the best severe weather shots available on the internet!! I love severe weather and all it's phenomena! In 2013 I was driving to Oklahoma when that deadly EF5 struck Moore. What a drama. I didn't get to see this tornado, but I did see the supercell that spawned it develop right in front of me. Spending the night in a hotel in Oklahoma, I talked to 2 little brothers who were in the elementary school that got hit and who lost their home to the tornado. Their story was mind boggling! The next day, driving back to Dallas, I did see the aftermath as well. Unreal! This event, despite being horrific off course, left such a big impression on me that it totally got me into stormchasing. So in June 2016 I came back to the USA, all the way from Holland, for 2 weeks of solo chasing. Allthough June was a pretty quiet month and i didn't get to see an actual tornado, the severe weather I witnessed was mesmerizing and made the 7000 miles driving so worth it! I made a video of my chase and I am pretty proud of it. It's most Gopro and Iphone footage because my Sony camera let me down, but nevertheless I got some great shots. Can you tell me what you think of my video and can you please help me get it some more views maybe? Or maybe you've got some advise for more views? It took me so much effort and I would love to show it to more people. Anyway, your feedback would be highly appreciated!! Please keep in mind that I am an amateur who's pretty new to the game. I hope to be back in the USA in may 2018 for more chasing. Keep up your great work and keep your awesome viedeos coming! Cheers from Holland, Guy
th-cam.com/video/kDKbQBwnwhs/w-d-xo.html
And this is the video from my improvised chase on may 20th, 2016:
th-cam.com/video/a289e0SUmCo/w-d-xo.html
Calendar is hanging up on my wall in Southwestern Ontario Canada!Thank you so much. We love your videos in our home. We all learn so much from the spectacular footage.
I know ALL of this, but its still just awesome to see this explained by the master of this genre.
Really nice! Would love to see a full res photo you took in the last 2 years.
you are a blessing to us all Hank.
Merry Christmas Disturbed demons :D
Pecos Hank Merry Christmas Hank! We all love you!
This is the first video of yours that I have watched. I absolutely love your personality. I clicked the subscribe button in the first two minutes of the video.
Wow you are hilarious, and you know your stuff! 20+ years sure has paid off! I am just starting off my self, and I wish I had taken my photography more serious when I received my camera back in '86! I would have had 32 years of experience!
Your vids are so successful partly because you do your homework and prepare, yet there is a relaxed, spontaneous feel. - 1 of 22
Great advice, great demonstration shots, AND hilarious delivery? Instant subscription 👍👍
i started doing landscape photography a few months ago and right now is thunderstorm season in az so i've been wanting to get some photos and this video helped out a lot with tips that will make my process a lot faster so i can get amazing photos
I love the humor! Thank you, all great advice start to finish in a compact video. Pretty cool friend!
Yo!!! This was fantastic and you were both informative and entertaining, especially being a n00b behind the lens and with the same sense of humor. Thank you!
This video is just as fantastic as the first time I watched it
Oh boy I’m getting that calendar. Thank you so much Hank! And thank you for working so hard to bring us great content!
Happy to do it Vincent. Cheers from Texas.
Thank you so much for the calendar! My 4 year old is going to love it in her room. Her birthday is in September and the image you used for the month is her FAVORITE Pecos Hank video. She is going to be so stoked!
Highlarious...and illuminatin’!