In this tutorial you will learn a very simple way of creating a lightening effect which can then be applied to other things.
Start off by creating a new document, size doesnt matter.

Next select the gradient tool making sure the gradient is set to black to white.

Draw a line from the top of the sheet to the bottom to create the gradient

Next go to filter >> render >> difference clouds as this gives the texture we need for the lightning.

Now press ctrl and I to invert the image (Invert changes all the colors to it's negatives)

Now press Control L to open your levels window and take the middle slider and move it all the way to the right

Now Press Control U to open the Hue/Saturation Window and check the box marked Colorize, located in the bottom right hand corner Move the sliders for Hue and Saturation until you get a good colour of your choice


Thats the end of this simple lightening tutorial, remember like always play around with different effects to create somthing really funky!!!