Why does Lightning create Bright Bands on a Camera?

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SUMMARY

The bright bands observed in photos and videos of lightning are primarily caused by the rolling shutter effect inherent in CMOS sensor cameras, such as the Sony Exmor RS IMX240. Unlike CCD cameras that utilize a global shutter, CMOS sensors expose pixels sequentially, leading to overstimulation and overflow of light across pixel lines. This phenomenon occurs even when the camera is not directly pointed at the lightning, as the intense brightness can illuminate the entire scene momentarily. Users should be aware that this effect is a limitation of modern camera technology, particularly in video mode.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of CMOS vs. CCD camera technology
  • Familiarity with rolling shutter and global shutter mechanisms
  • Basic knowledge of photography and video capture settings
  • Awareness of the impact of environmental factors on camera performance
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between CMOS and CCD sensors in detail
  • Explore techniques to minimize rolling shutter effects in photography
  • Learn about the capabilities and limitations of the Sony Exmor RS IMX240 sensor
  • Investigate alternative camera technologies that mitigate bright banding issues
USEFUL FOR

Photographers, videographers, and electronics enthusiasts interested in understanding the effects of lightning on camera performance and those seeking to improve their storm photography techniques.

greswd
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I tried taking a photo of lightning with my smart phone.

As the lightning flashed across the sky, bright horizontal bands of light flashed across the screen.

What's the cause of this?
 
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greswd said:
What's the cause of this?
I'm not an expert but the CCD camera uses lines of pixels and when a pixel is overstimulated it overflows into the rest of the pixels in the line. Hope that helps!
 
jerromyjon said:
I'm not an expert but the CCD camera uses lines of pixels and when a pixel is overstimulated it overflows into the rest of the pixels in the line. Hope that helps!

no not quite ... considering most cameras these days are CMOS sensors

I want to hear more from the OP before answering
 
Were you just using the phone as a camera or did it have other apps running?
If so they might have been generating a bit of random noise on the screen because of lightning interfering with the local cell phone network.
 
greswd said:
I tried taking a photo of lightning with my smart phone.

As the lightning flashed across the sky, bright horizontal bands of light flashed across the screen.

What's the cause of this?

firstly ... where you doing video ( movie mode) or photo mode ?
show us an example if what you captured

If video, it is caused by the shutter method used in today's modern cameras and it's a total pain in the butt for us serious storm photographers

whilst awaiting your image, does it look anything like this one ? ...

upload_2016-8-13_11-51-0.png


this is just one frame out of a video. when viewing the video at normal speed all you see is a
wide band of flickering bright light, much as the OP describedDave
 
Last edited:
rootone said:
Were you just using the phone as a camera or did it have other apps running?
If so they might have been generating a bit of random noise on the screen because of lightning interfering with the local cell phone network.
probably not ...
see my post as an example, I am pretty sure this is what the OP will be referring to

LETS WAIT for the OP to respond to my questions and confirm :smile:
instead of wild guesses :wink:Dave
 
davenn said:
whilst awaiting your image, does it look anything like this one ? ...

View attachment 104606
It took me several looks to realize what you're referring us to.

The top fifth of the image is blocked out.
 
DaveC426913 said:
It took me several looks to realize what you're referring us to.

The top fifth of the image is blocked out.

and the lower 1/3 is excessively darkened. because of the shutter

This is the effect caused by the rolling shutter system used with CMOS sensor cameras ... tis extremely frustrating
Cameras with CCD chips ( there are very few left unfortunately) use a global shutter. The difference is that the CCD
imaging system using the "global shutter" system where the signal from the whole chip is switched on and off. rather than just a scrolling band of exposed sensor.

As a result, I'm still using an 8 year old CCD chipped camera with horrible low resolution. Unfortunately, there is
nothing more modern that I can replace it withDave
 
davenn said:
firstly ... where you doing video ( movie mode) or photo mode ?
show us an example if what you captured

If video, it is caused by the shutter method used in today's modern cameras and it's a total pain in the butt for us serious storm photographers

whilst awaiting your image, does it look anything like this one ? ...

View attachment 104606

this is just one frame out of a video. when viewing the video at normal speed all you see is a
wide band of flickering bright light, much as the OP describedDave
It was in video mode. My camera is a Sony Exmor RS IMX240.

The funny thing is that I see these bright bands even if my camera is pointed away from the lightning when it strikes.
 
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  • #10
greswd said:
The funny thing is that I see these bright bands even if my camera is pointed away from the lightning when it strikes.
Makes sense. Lightning is bright enough to briefly light up your whole environment bright as day. And it happens very fast. So, as far as the camera is concerned, whether it is pointed at or away from the flash, it is immaterial to its inability to capture the image.
 
  • #11
greswd said:
It was in video mode. My camera is a Sony Exmor RS IMX240.

The funny thing is that I see these bright bands even if my camera is pointed away from the lightning when it strikes.

yup, confirms my suspicion ... just say thankyou to CMOS sensors and rolling the shutter system

there isn't anything you can do about it
Dave
 
  • #12
DaveC426913 said:
Makes sense. Lightning is bright enough to briefly light up your whole environment bright as day. And it happens very fast. So, as far as the camera is concerned, whether it is pointed at or away from the flash, it is immaterial to its inability to capture the image.
Ahh, now I see.

Some idiot told me that the bright bands were due to EMPs from the lightning interfering with the electronics. Sounds cool, but bullshit.
 
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  • #13
greswd said:
Some idiot told me that the bright bands were due to EMPs from the lightning interfering with the electronics. Sounds cool, but bullshit.
Lightning sure can play weird with electronic devices - radios in particular. Although that's the radio emissions, not the electronics.

If your camera is senstive in the radio band, you could make millions off reverse-engineering it. :woot:
 

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