lightning flash capture

[nytecam]

Never had any luck with lightning pics until this evening with violent thunderstorm and lightning in SW London - captured with Fuji digicam in movie-mode left on window cill - got 4 strikes totalling <1 second of video in nearly 20min which I'll spare you
Here's the 1st flash in realtime and slowed-dowm 30 times at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amKlD9GdFvM

[Meta menardi]

Makes your hair stand on end. I was working outside and could see a very slow moving thunder shower working it's way towards me, amazing lightening and some quite odd small dark clouds in the storm, but your pics are very good to see. It took over an hour to get to me, I knocked off and tidied up when I could hear the roar of the rain as it approached. 2 minutes later, I would have had a job finding my way back to the greenhouse, the rain was so torrential.

[Jason Green]

I remember that thunderstorm well... what was it, at least an hour! Anyway, absolutely fascinating stuff there NC, thanks for taking the time to make it - it's all appreciated!

...

[nytecam]

Thanks MM and Jason - here's the completed job at YouTube - lightning in slow-motion

phew - that was hard work extracting the slowmo pics from the video to see the complex structure not evident in either realtime or normal speed video - but worthwhile Estimate a complete 'flash' with multiple strikes lasted <1/5th second!

[PMG]

Fantastic!! We had a storm here in Leigh during the afternoon too - but unfortunately I was stuck in hospital outpatients with mum and missed the whole thing - so I really vicariously enjoyed this composite and video - well done nytecam

Pauline

[nytecam]

Thanks Pauline - hope Mum get better soon - here's a montage of 4 flashes from the video

[ellen h]

Thanks for sharing NC,love to watch lightning and to see it captured on video is great.Well done
ellen

[Cheryl]

Great video!!

We've still not had any rain/storms - keeps threatening but nothing so far.

[LynM]

Absolutely amazing photos, nytecam. I'm passionate about storms, even after our house was struck by lightning many years ago! I've even been known to get up in the middle of the night to watch them!

[ron1863]

Cracking dramatic shots nytecam, well done.

[RobinP]

Seconded as per Ron's comments, great work and diligence Nytecam We had a cracking storm too with torrential rain, unfortunately I was collecting the Chinese takeaway at the time!

[loony]

great pics of the lightning ! we had a storm recently too but was on the edge of it so only had thunder ,but did have a kingsize headache ! birmingham had it as 5 boys were struck by lightning under a tree --once has died . i`m scared stiff of thunderstorms especially lightning ! sue

[Squirrelx]

I totally agree with everyone else apropos the photos but I have to confess that, like Sue, I too am terrified of thunderstorms. I think it is the amount of uncontrollable power that is unleashed. Having said that, it is nature's ultimate viewing spectacle - when I am brave enough to stick my head above the parapet. And, of course, it is also nature reminding us all just who's boss at the end of the day.

[Fourwings]

Amazing stuff nytecam, great work, loved the video.

[treecreeper]

Thanks Nytecam, I'm glad I wasn't on the business end of that strike

[Hedge Witch]

Well done NC, the vid is terrific Nice to watch it all again like that, from the comfort of an armchair. Cosy!

[wildherbalian85]

Well captured and nice pictures to see

I have to say though if you only 4 strikes in a 20 minute period this was not a very strong/ active thunderstorm.