Fireworks - a few guidelines?

[melev]

Every year, we see some amazing pictures posted in this forum. If some of you could post some tips, more of us could participate.

I know we need to use a tripod. What do you set the camera to? Auto? Aperture Priority?

Is it better to use a long shutter speed, like 30 seconds, and cover the lens with the cap - then uncover it as the fireworks appear?

 

[t5Nitro]

I've always used shutter priority and used a fast shutter speed with low ISO. Always seems to work well.

 

[IPT]

Depends on what you want. Never done it myself, however I have a few thoughts. Anything that explodes is gonna expose on the frame. Do you want multiple bursts on the same frame? Long trails or short ones? That is gonna dictate the shutter speed. Sure you can cover with the lens cap if you want. Could also look to see if you have a "multiple exposure"setting that will expose the same frame a pre-deterimined amount of times. Experiment!

I don't know about shutter pri...I would be fearful it would keep the hsutter open all night trying to make the dark a neutral gray, over exposing the blacks. Get a cable realease and shoot in bulb. You hold the button down as long as you want the exposure to be. No need to touch the camera and cause any blur or shaking.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

4 seconds, f/22, ISO 100

1/2, f/11, 100

4, f/22, 100

1 second, f/10, 100

??I'll have to get back to you on this one??

I think these were all shot in bulb mode w/ shutter release. I'll be at the Daytona race on the 4th of July, so that should prove some interesting fireworks displays!

 

[vbjimmie]

Here's an old article from digital-photography-school.com covering this exact topic.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks

 

[IPT]

nice TS.

 

[unseen_clone]

I took this last year.
i know your asking how,
but i cant remember.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/3158150477_7c6df19f3c_o.jpg

 

[maroun.c]

-Steady Tripod
-Manual focusing at something close to the fireworks to avoid camera struggling to focus beffore each shot in the dark
-cable shutter release is very handy as yo ucan watch the display and decide when to cover the lens if you chose to. My wireless Shutter release (Nikon) does not allow me to end the shot.
-blocking the lens with something dark if you don't want more than one.
-If you know where the display will exactly be and the wind direction position yourself with wind blowing from behind you to the display to avoid the fumes messing up your shots.
-work on your composition as including some landscap usually improves the shots.
-Low Iso for less noise and to allow longer exposure time
-Long shutter speeds to make sure to catch a shot from start to end
-small aperture (bigger number) for more DOF and to allow longer exposure time
-Fireworks are very intense and will record very well even with low ISO and small Apertures...

 

[Misled]

Thanks Guys!!!!!

 

[Dino]

Its pretty much been said.

- Something to hold the camera steady, doesn't need to be a tripod can be something as simple as sandbags or a couple rolled up coats.

- Long shutter speed. At our fireworks show I'm typically shooting faster than a lot of people expect, only a SS of 3-5sec. Our fireworks show tends to be extremely fast paced though. Tailor your SS to your conditions.

- Low ISO. High ISO noise will show really badly in your blacks, keep it low to avoid noise and enable a longer SS.

- Shoot Wide. For most fireworks shows you're just about going to want to shoot as wide as you can. No need for the super tele.

- Camera remote is handy, however not required. Most cameras anymore have a 2 second timer (for you DSLR users, often this is achieved by going to your custom functions and turning your mirror lockup on). That is just about right for clicking the shutter when you hear the shell going up into the air. DSLR users, this will also help you avoid mirror slap when dealing with such long exposures.

- Lastly, take a lot of pictures. You're bound to get one to turn out that you like .

 

[SharkLover1981]

nice fireworks

 

[JStraz4991]

WOW nice

 

[IPT]

Melev...did you take any Fireworks shots??

 

[melev]

No, I missed every last one of them. I was in L.A. for a wedding that weekend, and by the time we got back from the rehearsal dinner, it was all over. I even looked up where they were taking place, and found about 20 places that were within driving range, but we were in the restaurant until late and missed it all.