AI Lightning Adder

How it works

1. 1

   Upload your photo with visible sky

   Drop your image into EditThisPic. Works best with photos featuring substantial sky area—landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, or any outdoor scene with at least 30% sky visible. JPG, PNG, WebP up to 7MB. Photos with clear horizon lines and distinct sky regions produce the most realistic lightning placement and cloud-to-ground strikes.

   Expect: Simple single lightning bolt on clear composition: 25-30 seconds. Complex multi-bolt storms with detailed branching, atmospheric effects, and dramatic lighting: may need 3-4 refinements for perfect placement and intensity.
2. 2

   Describe the lightning effect you want

   Type your instruction: 'add dramatic lightning bolt striking from dark clouds to the horizon with bright white-blue electrical glow and branching forks' or 'add multiple lightning strikes across the sky with storm atmosphere.' Be specific about lightning type (single bolt, multiple strikes, sheet lightning), branching detail (simple or heavily branched), color (white-blue, purple-blue, warm yellow), and sky conditions (dark storm clouds, twilight storm, daylight storm). No marking needed—the AI understands sky regions and natural strike patterns.

   Tip: Specify strike origin and target for realism: 'lightning striking from clouds down to the distant treeline' or 'cloud-to-cloud horizontal lightning across the horizon' creates natural electrical paths. Include atmospheric effects like 'illuminated storm clouds' or 'atmospheric glow' for drama.

   Copy one of these to get started:

   Dramatic single lightning bolt add dramatic bright lightning bolt striking from dark storm clouds down to the horizon with intense white-blue electrical glow, branching forks, and illuminated cloud edges

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   Multiple lightning strikes storm add multiple lightning bolts striking at different locations across the sky with varying intensity, dark storm atmosphere, and widespread electrical activity

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   Lightning striking landmark add bright lightning bolt striking down to the prominent building/tree with dramatic contact point glow, electrical discharge, and illuminated strike path

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   Purple storm lightning add dramatic lightning with purple-blue electrical color, heavily branched forks spreading across dark violet storm clouds, and atmospheric purple glow

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   4 more prompts

   Horizontal cloud-to-cloud lightning add horizontal sheet lightning spreading between storm clouds across the horizon with diffused electrical glow, no ground strike, and widespread cloud illumination

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   Lightning over water with reflection add lightning bolt striking over the water with bright reflection of the electrical discharge in the water surface, illuminated storm clouds, and atmospheric glow

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   Distant storm lightning on horizon add distant lightning strikes on the far horizon with soft atmospheric glow, subtle electrical flashes, and storm clouds in the distance while keeping foreground clear

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   Lightning with heavy rain atmosphere add bright lightning bolt with heavy rain atmosphere, rain streaks visible in the lightning flash, dramatic storm clouds, and wet ground reflections illuminated by the strike

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3. 3

   Generate and review the lightning

   Click Generate and watch AI add lightning bolts with natural electrical branching, atmospheric glow, cloud illumination, and storm sky adjustments. Review at full zoom to check lightning path realism, branching detail, color intensity, and cloud lighting effects. The AI automatically darkens skies to stormy conditions if needed and adds appropriate environmental lighting.

4. 4

   Adjust sky darkness if needed

   Lightning looks most dramatic against dark storm clouds. If your result has lightning on a still-bright sky, regenerate with 'add lightning with very dark storm clouds and heavy overcast atmosphere' to create more contrast. The AI will darken the sky appropriately.

5. 5

   Refine with markers if needed

   If you want lightning in a specific location (like striking a particular building or tree) or want to control the exact strike path, tap markers along the desired lightning route and regenerate. This is optional—most lightning effects work without markers.

   Tip: Markers are for precision refinement, not required. Try without them first. Use markers to specify exact strike points or create lightning hitting specific landmarks for dramatic composition.