fireworks
Jan 2, 2023 15:21:22 #
A friendly neighbor has asked me to photo his delayed fireworks tonight like about 5 hours from now. I have a Nikon 610 and a Sony RX 10 I and IV and I've casually done it before. But I did it mostly on auto for pictures that were OK but hardly anybody looked at them. Could I get some basic tips/function sets that will help improve the likelihood of decent results. I can do it all manually if it's insisted but would welcome some auto stuff. Thanks much, lots of sincere good info here.
Jan 2, 2023 16:25:51 #
When I photograph fireworks, I do so in manual mode. I pick a small aperture, like f13, low ISO of 100 and long exposure of about 3 seconds. I'll set focus at infinity and back off just a little. I'll tweak if/as needed. To minimize camera shake, I use a wireless remote. However, when I have forgotten the remote, I will use a shutter delay of a couple of seconds. Just enough to allow the camera to "settle down". Oh - I also use a tripod. Nothing hand held.
Jan 2, 2023 16:48:40 #
Jan 3, 2023 04:31:27 #
Corsica fox wrote:
A friendly neighbor has asked me to photo his delayed fireworks tonight like about 5 hours from now. I have a Nikon 610 and a Sony RX 10 I and IV and I've casually done it before. But I did it mostly on auto for pictures that were OK but hardly anybody looked at them. Could I get some basic tips/function sets that will help improve the likelihood of decent results. I can do it all manually if it's insisted but would welcome some auto stuff. Thanks much, lots of sincere good info here.
My way
Nikon D610 with 24-85mm kit lens
Step by step posted here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-580096-1.html
Jan 3, 2023 08:14:42 #
Jan 3, 2023 09:36:59 #
waynetgreen
Loc: Florida
Auto is not your friend with fireworks. Manual. Start at ISO 100, f16 or f11, shutter between 5 and 10 seconds. Tripod is essential. After a few exposures, make necessary adjustments. I prefer longer shutter times to include multiple bursts.
Jan 3, 2023 10:04:45 #
Corsica fox wrote:
A friendly neighbor has asked me to photo his delayed fireworks tonight like about 5 hours from now. I have a Nikon 610 and a Sony RX 10 I and IV and I've casually done it before. But I did it mostly on auto for pictures that were OK but hardly anybody looked at them. Could I get some basic tips/function sets that will help improve the likelihood of decent results. I can do it all manually if it's insisted but would welcome some auto stuff. Thanks much, lots of sincere good info here.
Use your Nikon 610 on a tripod. Get a remote shutter cable compatible with Nikon consumer cameras:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/accessories/Shutter-Releases-for-the-Nikon-D610/1408308-REG-48203?from=detail
Set your white balance to daylight (or 5300K), ISO to 200, aperture to f11 or f16, and shutter to Bulb mode. Focus on where the fireworks are launched, and set to manual focus. This will keep your focus locked, and will eliminate any delay imposed by the AF system.
Use the remote shutter to control the exposure; press and hold to open shutter, release to close shutter. Test the exposure to be sure you are not blowing out the landscape, and adjust ISO and/or aperture to compensate (but you want a fairly small aperture to keep everything in focus).
When you hear the sound of the mortar, open the shutter. When the fireworks have gone off and arced enough, close the shutter. This should amount to a few seconds. If the fireworks are going high, delay a bit on the opening so you have latitude to capture the full arc of the fireworks.
Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg--Pekn7Co
Jan 3, 2023 10:21:35 #
Jan 3, 2023 10:24:09 #
Jan 3, 2023 18:06:27 #
Wallen wrote:
My way
Nikon D610 with 24-85mm kit lens
Step by step posted here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-580096-1.html
Nikon D610 with 24-85mm kit lens
Step by step posted here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-580096-1.html
Spectacularly brilliant 🌟✨🌟✨🌟
Jan 4, 2023 09:15:48 #
truckincat626
Loc: Jacksonville, AR.
Try to put something in the picture other than the fireworks alone, two people kissing, the flag, Cinderellas Castle, the tallest building in your town, etc. Fireworks alone are okay but look better with something in the foreground.
Jan 4, 2023 09:21:10 #
Thank you very much. That's a great point/idea. Come to think of it the best ones I've seen have usually included something, in my case often the Washington Monument. Thanks again.
Jan 4, 2023 10:36:09 #
Corsica fox wrote:
Thank you very much. That's a great point/idea. Come to think of it the best ones I've seen have usually included something, in my case often the Washington Monument. Thanks again.
Fireworks are often shot near bodies of water, such as lakes or large rivers. I try to capture the reflection of the fireworks in the water. Waves change the look of the fireworks for an interesting effect.
Cityscapes are interesting. Historic buildings as well (I especially like Mt Vernon). And places like Longwood Gardens combine a water fountain show with fireworks (makes proper exposure a challenge).
Jan 4, 2023 12:43:05 #
Thanks much. The fireworks are going to actually be set off a dock into a river. I actually had wit enough to think of that so will try to adjust composure.
Jan 4, 2023 13:26:12 #
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