I got one! My very first decent lightning shot..

[Matt Tottle]

All this time I've had this camera and I've never gotten a decent shot of lightning. Until now! We had a storm come through a little while ago, and it knocked out the power for two hours (a tree took out a line, started a fire, and blew a transformer). I went outside to talk to a neighbor and the cloud to cloud lightning started getting really intense, and I figured since the entire town was dark, no street lights, it would be a perfect opportunity to try my luck, so went and set up the camera. I only had three more really good bolts, two of which were ruined by passing vehicles, but I think this one is pretty sweet. Unfortunately I didn't notice the debris and raindrop on the lens, but it's still a good catch!

What do you think?

Edit: I just noticed the board seems to have stripped the EXIF data, so in case anyone wants to know, this was taken with my Pentax K-x, with the standard 18-55mm kit lens (@18mm), ISO100, f/13, with the shutter open for 13 seconds.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Well done! That first one is always the best, but now you'll be hooked, to forever chase the elusive next bolt. Then you'll start wanting more and more difficult catches, like upwards lightning, lightning with a moon, lightning+TOR, lightning hitting an object/building...etc... Have fuuuuuuun!

 

[John Olexa]

Very nice Matt! Make sure you make a print out of it. (1st one) Like Marc said lightning is very additive !! Always want to get one better LOL. Congrats.

 

[Matt Tottle]

Haha thanks guys! Yeah that felt so good when the preview popped up and I saw the capture. And you're absolutely right I definitely want MORE!! If I catch another I will definitely share again!

 

[Ethan Schisler]

Very nice picture! Lightning photography is addicting. Be careful

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

@Matt Tottle

Be sure to check out this thread (it'll definitely make this new addiction worse):
http://stormtrack.org/community/threads/your-best-lightning-shot-to-date.21520/