I've been wanting to try and capture lightning for awhile now. I've been using CHDK (Canon hacking development kit) some years now for my kite aerial stuff but have never tried some of the more esoteric scripts that can be used to capture lightning for example. For those not aware of CHDK it is a simple replacement interface for Canon Point & Shoot cameras. It is loaded by temporarily replacing the camera's own firmware via the SD card. The result is that you extend and enhance the camera's capabilities. For example, remote shutter control, RAW images, intervalometer, high speed shutter speeds to name a few.
Recent lightning activity in our area prompted me to have a go, so I used a motion/lightning sensor script. After some playing around and the storm well on its way past us I found I had secured this one and only image. Now I can't wait for the next storm!!!
larger image here
http://www.biglow.co.uk/weather/lightning/IMG_1267_1.jpg
