RE: Lightning strike photos

robogary — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 02:46:35 GMT

I wonder if OpenCV could scan fast enough video frames quick enough, learn what a lightning strike is, save those photos, discard others.

RE: Lightning strike photos

dougw — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 18:31:21 GMT

https://www.electroschematics.com/lightning-detector/

RE: Lightning strike photos

DAB — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 18:11:58 GMT

Having done lightning photography, I have won awards with some of my shots, here are some things to consider.

Most lightning lasts about one second and generates repeated strikes at about 38 HZ, which will give you an idea about your timing requirements.

I use the technique where I just open the shudder and watch what happens in front of the camera.

Use your highest f stop.

Depending upon the camera you use, you can keep the shutter open up to about 1 minute before you begin to get background lighting show up.

Some rigs I have seen use an RF receiver to pick up the first strike and then open the shudder.

With some inexpensive digital cameras, you can set them up to do repeated exposures automatically. This approach works, but you have to sort through a lot of dark frames, though you could use OpenCV and automatically search for any light instance above background.

Have fun and keep safe. Lightning does kill.

DAB