Can lightning be captured in different colors through photography techniques?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of capturing lightning in different colors through photography techniques. Participants explore whether the colors seen in a specific photograph are real or manipulated, considering both physical properties of lightning and photographic methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the authenticity of a photograph of lightning, suggesting it may have been altered using Photoshop.
  • Another participant explains that lightning primarily behaves as a black body due to the extreme temperatures of heated air, which could lead to color variations if ionization occurs, but suggests that strong colors might be due to filters or camera software effects.
  • A different viewpoint is presented regarding black body radiation, noting that the color of a black body depends on its temperature, implying that variations in lightning temperature could result in different colors.
  • One participant adds that the broad nature of the black body curve means that most visible light is averaged out, which could explain why certain colors are not perceived.
  • Another participant proposes that the photographer likely used various filters and long exposure techniques to achieve the colored effects in the photograph, suggesting a careful balance of color for the background and individual lightning bolts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the authenticity of the colors in the photograph, with some suggesting natural phenomena and others proposing photographic manipulation. No consensus is reached regarding the source of the colors.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of temperature on the color of lightning and the potential effects of photographic techniques, but there are unresolved assumptions about the specific conditions under which the photograph was taken.

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Lightning is just the air heated to extreme temperatures so is mostly a black body.
It could have color if it ionized air causing particular transitions but since it would create a whole bunch of different transitions it would tend to average out.
My guess is that these strong colors are either a filter (optical or photoshop) or a software effect in the cameras as it tries to fix the color balance on a very weirdly illuminated scene.
 
mgb_phys said:
Lightning is just the air heated to extreme temperatures so is mostly a black body.
As far as I know, the colour of black body depends on its temperature; sun with its tamperature 6000K is yellow. So if one lightning is hotter than another, shoudn't it has some different colour?
 
But the BB curve is quite broad so once it gets near the middle of your eye's response it covers most of your visual range. That's why daylight looks white and you don't see things heated green-hot.
 
The photographer probably used a series of different filters to get this picture. It is obviously an exposure made with the shutter open for an extended period of time. If he was clever in the use of his filter by watching the time he could have the right color balance for the background while still having individual lightning bolts different colors.
 

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