Photographing storms and lightning safely

From June to October, afternoon and evening storms roll across Yucatán, with towering clouds and lightning over the flat horizon. They make dramatic photos, but safety comes first.

Safety

• Shoot from indoors, a covered porch or a car, never from open ground or the beach.
• If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance.
• Avoid tall structures, metal tripods in open fields and standing water.

Settings for lightning at night

• Tripod, manual focus at infinity
• ISO 100 to 400, f/5.6 to f/8
• Exposures of 10 to 30 seconds, shot continuously
• Each exposure has a chance to catch a strike

Daytime lightning

Daylight makes long exposures impossible without a strong ND filter. Use a lightning trigger accessory, or record 4K video and pull frames.

Storm clouds

Approaching shelf clouds and towering cumulus over henequen fields or the sea are spectacular even without lightning. Use a wide lens and include the landscape for scale.

Protect gear

Use rain covers, keep a towel handy and dry gear completely afterward to prevent fungus in the humidity.