An Eventful Morning

These past few hours have been quite sobering for me. I rode home from work in what was one the most scary rides I think I have ever had. On a four-lane interstate, I was the only car (and only person foolish enough to be) in the midst of a serious thunderstorm. The lightning was simply amazing, and I wanted to get home in time to catch a few of them on camera (which I had not done before). Ten minutes into the ride things got bad—real bad. The hail was pinging off my windshield, and the lightning strikes were close enough to make the night sky look clear as day. I then remembered the last time I chased a lightning storm, and well, let’s just say that it was a hair-raising experience (please don’t ask me to explain . . . it’s kind of embarrassing!). I got off on the next exit and hung out at an Exxon gas station, called my wife to check in on her, and eventually made it back home.

I did, however, get a few pictures and thought I’d share a few with you. This was the first time for me shooting lightning, so I was working from scratch. I did pick up a few ideas and tips that I learned for you photogs that I thought might be helpful. Here’s my top ten list for shooting lightning:

1. Shoot under some sort of ceiling (stay out of rain)
2. Use Bulb feature and cable release if possible
3. Tripod is a must
4. Go wide-angle
5. Focus to infinity
6. Shoot Tungsten White Balance
7. Track the lightning strike to determine the likelihood of strikes
8. Anticipate the lightning but do not overexpose the image
9. Shoot often (majority will be outtakes)
10. Don’t get struck by lightning

Nothing fancy here, but I thought I’d put it out there. Any advice you experienced guys could give me?

Here’s two passages to consider when you are in the midst of a storm:

“For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.” Psalm 135:5-7

And one more:

Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea. For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises. Job 36:26-33

Note: For those in Louisville, in case you are wondering, the lightning strikes are on the Gene Snyder next to the Summit. These images were taken from my apartment porch.