Lightning Strike Imaging Technique - Update

2016-01-31 Daytime Storm. 35 x 1 sec lightning strike images stacked in StarStax (c) R. Powell

My refined lightning strike capture technique:

MOUNT: 

• Mount the camera on a sturdy tripod in a safe sheltered place.
• Ensure the tripod is rigidly weighted to avoid wind disturbances.
• Never set up in an unsafe place out in the open or under a tree or umbrella.
• Even a metal tripod can attract a lightning strike so select a location carefully.
  

LENS SELECTION: 

• If the storm is close, use a wide field lens.
• If the storm is distant, try a slightly narrower field lens.

CONTROL:

• Attach a bulb shutter control device or intervalometer.
• If desired, set the intervalometer to shoot continually.
• Alternatively, just keep pressing the shutter  every time an exposure ends.
• Either way, there will be gaps between shots when strikes are missed.

EXPOSURE AND SETTINGS:

• Set the focus to manual and focus carefully on a distant object.
• Set the camera programme selector to manual (or bulb).
• Set the ISO to 100 or 200 (do not use auto-ISO).
• Set aperture to about f/5.6 to f/8, depending on light level.
• If completely dark, set shutter speed to 20-30 seconds.
• If not completely dark, reduce exposure and/or adjust the f-stop.
• If it's broad daylight, storms may require short exposures of only 0.5 to 2 seconds.
• If the storm is distant, increase the exposure time and choose a lower f-stop number.

WHITE BALANCE:

• I have yet to decide which is the best white balance setting to use, so I have normally set it to 'auto'. 
• I researched on-line about this. Some experts do recommend the 'auto' setting. Others recommend a 'cool' setting (e.g. 'fluorescent').
• I might try 'fluorescent' next time out.
  

SHOOTING:

• Grab a chair and sit down next to the tripod.
• Keep shooting until the storm passes.
• If a nearby object such as a tree is in the field of view, try illuminating it.
• Enjoy the storm.

PROCESSING:

• After the storm, check the frames and separate the successful images.
• If you had to adjust the tripod or re-aim the camera during the storm, sort them into 'before' & 'after' shots.
• Stack the successful identical frames using freeware such as 'StarStax' 
• Process them slightly with Photoshop to contrast the strikes.
• Crop the image as appropriate and resize to suit.
• The session is a success if at least one decent strike is recorded on camera!