To photograph lightning with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, mount it on a tripod, focus manually on a distant light, use an exposure of several seconds at a mid aperture and a low ISO, and trigger with a remote. Plan to work from a sheltered position, because lightning is a real hazard that no gear can remove. The settings below are general baselines.

How to Photograph Lightning Storms With a DSLR or Mirrorless

Where to Shoot From

Treat the weather first and the picture second. Follow local weather warnings, and be ready to stop shooting and leave when a storm gets close. A common approach is to shoot through an open window or from inside a parked vehicle, away from tall isolated objects, open fields and water. If thunder follows lightning quickly, that is a signal to move indoors. Choose a view toward the storm that has a clear sky line and an interesting foreground such as a city skyline, a barn or a coastline.

Gear You Will Need

  • A sturdy tripod, weighted if it is windy.
  • A remote release or cable, so you can open the shutter without touching the camera.
  • A wide to standard lens, roughly 16mm to 35mm on a full frame body, to catch the sprawling bolts.
  • A lens hood and a cloth to keep rain from the front element, and weather protection for the camera.

Camera Settings to Begin With

  1. Set the camera to manual mode and shoot RAW.
  2. Choose ISO 100 to 400 for clean skies.
  3. Set the aperture to about f/5.6 to f/11. Smaller openings keep bright bolts from overexposing.
  4. Use a shutter speed of 5 to 30 seconds in the dark, or bulb mode with a remote. Shorten the time if the sky or city lights overexpose.
  5. Turn off autofocus, focus manually on a faraway light or the horizon, and tape the ring if it moves easily.
  6. Turn off image stabilization on a tripod, and consider disabling long exposure noise reduction so the camera is ready for the next flash sooner.

In daylight you can use neutral density filters to lengthen the exposure, though capturing lightning in bright light is difficult. Some cameras and apps offer lightning triggers that fire the shutter when they detect a flash.

Composition and Timing

Point the camera where the storm is most active and keep the frame wide, since you cannot predict where the next bolt will land. Include the horizon for scale. Leave the shutter open or keep shooting back-to-back frames, and check images between bursts. You will keep a small share of the frames, so be patient and take plenty.

FAQ

Can I photograph lightning with a phone?

Yes, with a long exposure or night mode on a tripod, though results depend on the phone. A dedicated camera offers more control.

What is the best time of day?

Dusk and night work best, since long exposures can record bolts without being washed out.

The Short Version

Put your safety and shelter first, then use a tripod, manual focus, low ISO, f/5.6 to f/11 and a long exposure with a remote. Shoot many frames and keep the best.