Photographing/filming high voltage arcs

[John123]

Any tips and tricks you guys could recommend? I've got an Nikon D3100 DSLR, but I'm having trouble getting a good shot of high voltage arcs like some of the photos I've seen around here.

I can't really explain it, but the shots and videos come out looking underwhelming. I'm thinking its the transparent nature of these arcs which are low current purple-blue color. I'm actually trying video too but the camera wants to set up for the rest of the room rather than the arc. I've tried closing the blinds slightly to darken the room during day time, but the camera adjustments are all geared toward low light in that situation.

The arcs stretch to 2 inches and when the electrodes are closer together they're at that state where the arc is pink and just starting to look like a flame. When stretched out to the max it turns that pale blue color and the arc starts to break up.

Mads I've seen on your website lots of good arc pictures and videos, any DSLR pointers?

[Mads Barnkob]

You need to shoot in manual mode, manual focus as well, on tripod/support.

For good arc pictures, long exposure like 1-2 seconds can capture several strikes in one picture.

If you link some specific pictures, I can tell more in detail about that situation

[klugesmith]

Yes, what Mads said.
If you want to use a DSLR with automatic focus and aperture and shutter time and film speed, why not just use a smartphone?

I have a friend using one Nikon DSLR to make a time-lapse film of house construction.  One image every 30 seconds.   What's novel to me:  he is using a neutral-density filter so dark that shutter is open most of the time.  Can't wait to see how that affects the usual jumpy view of workers, background traffic, etc.