Strike

[Ptax]

Set up on the beach at PCB, Florida at night. I would leave the shutter open for 6 seconds pointed at the direction of the incoming storm. Caught this lightning strike on the horizon, but it created too much light.

How does one isolate the single bolt without blowing out the whole picture?

[mjs1973]

Lightning is high on my list of things to try to get some photos of, but it hasn't happened yet.

I would suggest you tone down your exposure. I don't think it's the lightning that is causing your image to be so bright. I think it's your over all exposure. 6 seconds at f/4 & ISO 800. That's letting in a lot of light. I would suggest shooting at a much lower ISO, and maybe even stopping down a bit more. If you do this, you could even leave the shutter open longer, and still not let in as much light. The flash of lightning is going to be bright enough to register, even at a low ISO. There isn't any one answer that is going to get "the shot". I think you are going to have to experiment, and see what you get. The first place I would start is by lowering your ISO, and go from there.

Another trick I have heard of people using when it comes to lightning is to take something with you to cover your lens. They would leave the shutter open and get a strike of lightning, then they cover the lens to block any light from coming in. Then when they think there may be another strike, they uncover the lens. By doing this they get more than one strike on a single frame. Just something else to play with the next time you see a storm rolling in.

[gahspidy]

Mike's suggestions for reducing the overall exposure is right. that will help alot by lowering the iso and stopping down the aperture some more. I do like the effect you achieved here even if it is alot lighter than what you were after.

[Ptax]

Great thoughts, Mike. The next time I am out and about during an incoming storm, I will give your suggestions a try.

Gary, I appreciate your feedback also.

[Greg McCary]

I like it but level the horizon.

[starriderrick]

Nice catch of a tricky subject.This brightness brings a certain energy forth.The color,tones are pleasant as well. "uncalibrated monitor"

This turned out quite well for a first time "strike" I do see the horizon tilt.

Rick

[Ptax]

I'll return to PS and straighten the horizon.

Thanks for all the feedback.