The nature of our world, and on an even larger scale our universe, is that of change. The energy and matter around us are in a constant state of motion, transformation, and evolution. As observers of nature, a vast majority of this energy and these changes go largely unnoticed. The world just keeps on turning and shifting around us as we go about our everyday lives. 

That being said, there are certain events that stand out from the rest and reach out to grab our attention. These can be events that happen less frequently than the rest or that deviate from the standard cycles we’re so accustomed to. Or perhaps they release great amounts of energy. Whatever it may be, there are certain things out there that scream out to us observers and demand our focus, and often, our admiration. And, as admirers of the natural world, these events are often the perfect subjects or scenes for us nature photographers.

In this article, we’re going to focus on one such event in particular. Today we’re going to talk about lightning and how one can go about photographing it. Capturing compelling images of lightning can be an exhilarating experience, portraying the raw power and beauty of nature in a single frame. However, it also presents unique challenges that require careful planning, preparation, and technique.

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a beginner looking to capture your first bolt of lightning, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to capture stunning images of one of nature's most captivating phenomena. Let’s get right into it!

PART 1: GETTING READY

Before heading out you’ll want to make sure that you have everything you’ll need and have a solid plan in place. Let’s take a look at all the things you should do before heading out:

Gear You’ll Need:

Before heading out to capture stunning images of storms and lightning, or any photography outing for that matter, it's essential to ensure you have the right gear. Here's a list of equipment you'll need when it comes to lighting photography:

Camera with Manual Controls: 
Of course, the first thing you’ll need to capture these images is a quality camera body. A mirrorless or DSLR camera with manual exposure settings, including shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, will provide the flexibility and control needed for capturing images of lightning. Be sure to get out and practice changing these settings as well so that you’re fully prepared when a storm develops, and lightning begins to strike. 

Sturdy Tripod: 
Another key piece of equipment that you’ll certainly need is a tripod. A sturdy tripod is essential for keeping your camera steady throughout a shoot. When photographing lightning you’ll almost always be shooting long-exposure images utilizing slow shutter speeds, so you’ll need something to keep your camera and lens perfectly still while your camera captures an image. 

Variety of Lenses: 
Next on the list is a nice variety of lenses covering a range of focal lengths. This will give you more control and flexibility when it comes to choosing compositions. A good starting place would be either a wide-angle or standard lens. A wide-angle lens (typically 16-35mm) will allow you to capture more of your scene and especially more of the sky and increase your chances of capturing lightning bolts. You could also use a standard lens (anything from roughly 24-85mm) if you want to zoom in a bit more and potentially reduce any distortion from wider focal lengths. You likely won’t need a telephoto or super-telephoto lens but ultimately focal length and composition are up to you as the photographer. 

Intervalometer and or Remote Shutter Release: 
Because you’ll be capturing long-exposure images and likely a consecutive series of images, you’ll want an intervalometer and or a remote shutter release (These are often both included in a single product). The remote shutter will help to minimize camera shake when capturing images and the intervalometer will allow you to shoot in timelapse mode capturing a series of back-to-back images one after the other. We’ll discuss this more later in the article but shooting back-to-back images will increase your odds of capturing lightning strikes if you’re not using a lightning trigger device. It’s also worth mentioning that many modern cameras have built-in intervalometer settings and you can always substitute a remote shutter release with a delayed shutter setting on your camera.

Neutral Density Filter: 
When photographing lighting, especially during the day, it’s very common for photographers to use Neutral Density or ND filters. A neutral density filter is a dark filter that reduces the amount of light being let into your camera. This allows you to shoot at much longer shutter speeds than normal when there is ample environmental light without overexposing your images. Being able to shoot at longer shutter speeds will greatly increase your chances of capturing split-second lightning strikes. 

Lightning Trigger (Optional):
Another great piece of gear that will increase your odds even more is a lightning trigger. These nifty little devices actually detect lightning strikes and ensure that your camera captures the perfect shot in the blink of an eye. Lightning triggers essentially detect the initial flash of a lightning strike and release your camera’s shutter at just the right time to capture the strike. If you’re willing to invest in a lightning trigger and learn how to use it and set it up, you won’t be disappointed. Of course, these aren’t necessary to capture stunning images of lightning, but they certainly can help especially if you don’t want to shoot at super slow shutter speeds.

Rain Protection:
Since you'll be shooting outdoors, and more specifically in environments with storms and rainfall, it's essential to protect your equipment from the elements with weatherproof gear. This includes rain covers for not only your camera, but I’d also recommend one for your camera bag as well. The last thing you want is to get stuck out in the elements without proper protection. 

Extra Batteries and Memory Cards:
And of course, just like any shoot, I strongly recommend bringing extra memory cards and batteries to ensure you won’t miss any of the action.

Preparing for the Shoot:

Now that you have all the gear you’ll need, it’s time to get ready for the action that lies ahead and come up with a plan. Before heading out to photograph lightning, it's crucial to plan and prepare properly. As a wise mentor once told me “To set yourself up for success, simply follow the Six P’s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.” That being said, here are some steps you can take:

Choose the Right Location: 
Before heading out, you’ll need to make sure you’re headed to the right place where a stunning image will be possible to capture. Research potential locations with a clear view of the sky and minimal light pollution if you’ll be shooting at night. Elevated areas or open fields can provide unobstructed views of approaching storms but be sure to seek shelter if storms or lighting strikes get too close. You’ll also want to find locations that add to your images and help tell a story. Interesting foreground elements can add depth to your images and scenic landscapes can portray where you are and add a sense of location. Lightning occurs all over the planet so make your images stand out by telling the unique story of where you are. 

Check the Weather Forecast: 
Of course, you’re going to want to increase your odds of success by carefully observing weather and climate patterns in your area. Monitor accurate weather forecasts to identify days with a high probability of thunderstorms and therefore lighting. Apps and websites dedicated to weather tracking can provide real-time updates on storm activity. These are very powerful and helpful tools that are almost essential for this style of photography. Some resources I use quite frequently are the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) website and mobile radar app and an app called Windy. These are both reliable tools that can show you live data on cloud cover, precipitation, wind direction, and more. 

Have a Backup Plan:
Photographing storms and lightning can often be quite challenging. These large and powerful thunderstorms we’re trying to capture are very dynamic and fast-moving. They can develop, dissipate, and change direction at a moment’s notice. Because of this I strongly recommend having at least one or two backup locations that you can easily access. You don’t want to limit yourself to one “perfect” shot and then miss all the action due to unforeseen circumstances. You’ll also want to make sure that wherever you go you’ll be able to easily seek shelter if necessary.

PART 2: PHOTOGRAPHING LIGHTNING

So, you have all the necessary gear, you’ve made a plan, the conditions are perfect, and there’s a stunning display of lighting off in the distance. Now it’s time to take action and start capturing images. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Safety First: 

The first thing we’re going to discuss, and by far the most important is safety. When photographing lightning, safety should be your number one top priority at all times! After all lightning is an incredibly powerful force of nature that can potentially be very dangerous and life-threatening. If there is any possibility of potentially being struck by lightning you must avoid exposed areas, seek shelter during storms, and never place yourself or your equipment in harm's way. The last thing you want is to find yourself high up on an overlook with a metal camera and tripod as a dangerous storm approaches. Heading home with no images is better than not heading home at all.

Setting Up Your Gear: 

Once you've chosen a location and ensured it’s safe to proceed, you’ll want to set up your camera on a sturdy tripod and attach the lens of your choice. If you’re unsure what focal length to use maybe start wide, take some test images, and go from there. You’ll want to ensure that your camera settings are configured for full manual control so that you can get the right exposure for the scene before you. You may also choose to use an ND filter if you’re going to be shooting at longer shutter speeds. If you opt to use a filter, be sure to experiment with different shutter speeds and ISO values until you get an image you like. This is also when you would attach and set up your lightning trigger if you’re using one.

Camera Settings:

Capturing stunning images of lightning requires a delicate combination of the right camera settings and techniques. Of course, there is no single combination of settings that will universally work in all situations. Instead, you’ll have to experiment and find what works the best depending on the gear you’re using and the scene before you. That being said I can provide some general directions and guidelines.

Shutter Speed: 
Let’s start out by focusing on shutter speed. This setting will largely depend on whether you’re using a lightning trigger or an ND filter. If you’re using a lighting trigger you have much more flexibility when it comes to shutter speed. You can opt for fast shutter speeds to freeze motion or longer shutter speeds depending on your preferences. If you’re not using a lighting trigger, then I would suggest shooting with longer shutter speeds. The Longer you leave the shutter open the greater your odds of capturing a lightning strike. At the end of the day, this is a numbers game. And of course, using a neutral density filter will allow you to achieve much longer shutter speeds even during the day.

Aperture: 
Aperture can often be a tricky setting to dial in when it comes to photographing storms and lightning. For instance, a narrow aperture will give you a greater depth of field bringing every part of your image into focus, but this will also let less light in. Thunderstorms are often quite dark, so you may need to let more light in than normal. You can either compensate for this by increasing your shutter speed or by selecting a wider aperture. Personally, I like to keep everything in my image nice and sharp and in focus, so I’ll opt for a narrower aperture (somewhere between f/11-f/22) and a longer shutter speed. Ultimately, you’ll have to experiment with this setting and see what works best for you. 

ISO: 
Next up is ISO. As usual, I strongly recommend keeping your ISO as low as possible and compensating with longer shutter speeds. Set your ISO to its lowest native value (e.g., ISO 100 or 200) to minimize noise in your images and go from there. If you have to increase it a bit that’s totally fine but starting low is always a good idea. 

Manual Focus: 
When it comes to focus, you’ll want to switch your lens to manual focus and set it roughly to infinity to ensure sharpness in your images. You can always go into live view and zoom in on parts of your frame to ensure that things are nice and sharp throughout your scene.

Best Practices and Techniques:

Now that we’ve covered camera settings let’s dive into some helpful techniques and practices that will set you up for success.

Using a Lightning Trigger:
As I’ve already mentioned a couple of times, lightning triggers are incredibly helpful tools that take a lot of the guessing and hoping out of lighting photography. These nifty little devices sense the early stages of a lightning strike and trigger your camera’s shutter in a matter of milliseconds. If you want the highest level of control over your images and don’t want to miss any of the action, then this is a great tool to use. There are many different options out there ranging from dedicated lightning triggers to more universal triggers with specific lighting settings. Be sure to do your research and purchase one that will work with your camera. Once you have the lightning trigger turned on and connected to your camera, you’ll want to configure it in just the right way. On many models, you can change the sensitivity to lightning strikes, the delay, and other settings. Be sure to get your settings dialed in just right for the situation you find yourself in. I recommend reading the user manual, contacting the manufacturer, or seeking out educational content online to learn more about the specific model you have.  

Shooting a Timelapse: 
An alternative to using a lightning trigger, which I’ve used in the past is to simply set your camera up in timelapse mode and capture a series of back-to-back long-exposure images. If your camera is constantly capturing images that are over a second long (sometimes even longer) you greatly increase your odds of capturing a strike. Depending on your camera model you may be able to do this in-camera otherwise you can always purchase an external intervalometer. Of course, this isn’t as fool-proof as the dedicated precision of a lightning trigger but it has worked very well for me in the past. I’ve had great success by simply dialing in my settings and capturing a sequence of let’s say 100 images at a 5-second exposure. You can also blend these images together when post-processing to portray even more lightning strikes in a single image.

Conscious Composition: 
Just like any style of photography, the composition you choose can significantly alter the impact of an image. I strongly recommend incorporating interesting foreground elements, such as trees, rocks, plateaus, buildings, or anything else to add depth and context to your images. This can be a great way to create a sense of place. You should also consciously decide where you want the storm clouds, lightning strikes, and other key elements to fall within your frame.

Patience and Persistence: 
And last but certainly not least, lightning photography requires patience and persistence. Keep your camera pointed towards the storm, continuously adjusting your settings and composition as needed. You may have to wait hours for a storm to develop or you might miss it altogether and have to return at a later date. Whatever happens, be sure to take your time, make smart decisions, and enjoy the process.

Photograph Storms and Lightning with BCJ

Reading this article and doing research is a great place to start but if you really want to learn how to capture stunning images of lightning you’ll have to get out and try it for yourself. The best way to learn any new skill is to practice, practice, practice. And, one of the best ways to get this practice and the instruction of a professional photographer is to join a dedicated workshop. If you’d like to join us on one of our all-inclusive photography workshops featuring storm and lightning photography, then be sure to check out the trips listed below. We would love to have you along on an upcoming photography adventure!

• Storm Chasing: Supercells and Tornadoes 

• Southwest Monsoon: Grand Canyon Country

Conclusion:

Well, that’s all I have for you today. I know this has been quite a long and in-depth article but I hope it has provided some helpful information and has inspired you to get out there and capture images of one of the most striking and intriguing natural events on earth. 

Photographing lightning is both challenging and rewarding, requiring patience, skill, and a willingness to embrace the unpredictability of nature. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this comprehensive guide, photographers of all skill levels can capture stunning images of one of nature's most captivating phenomena. So, grab your gear, head out into the storm, stay safe, and unleash your creativity as you seek to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of lightning!

Until next time…

Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.

When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.

At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.

Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.

Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.

You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com