Lightning effect using camera flash units

Make an electronic circuit that will trigger camera flashes in sync with a thunder soundtrack (great for Halloween)!  The camera flashes are salvaged from old, broken cameras.  When used along with lamps plugged into a color organ circuit, it makes a very effective lightning effect.

Here are two videos of the display in operation.  In the outdoor view, the camera flashes are visible but the video camera does not pick up the color organ lamps flashing.  The second video (inside the house) shows a lamp connected to the color organ flickering in sync with the soundtrack.

video1

video2

Step 1 Safety Warning! Electrical shock hazard!

Before I start anything, I have to warn that a camera flash unit uses HIGH VOLTAGE (300V or more) that is stored in a large capacitor.  A LETHAL charge can be stored in the capacitor even if the camera has not been used for a long time!!!  Use EXTREME CAUTION when disassembling any camera that has a flash unit.
- NEVER TOUCH THE CAPACITOR LEADS OR THE LEADS OF THE FLASH BULB.
- The high voltage is also present at certain points on the flash control circuit of the camera.
- If you are not experienced with electronics work, DO NOT ATTEMPT to disassemble a flash camera.
- If you are uneasy about handling high voltage electronics, you can use standalone flash units with this instructable.  You will not need to disassemble the flash unit.