Photography fireworks
Nov 5, 2011 22:15:07 #
Is there any tricks to photographing fireworks?? I have never shot fireworks before so any help would be appreciated! Thanks
Nov 6, 2011 00:24:04 #
1) Find fireworks
2) Take camera / Tripod / SD Card / Battery (Charged - don't ask)
3) Find a 3 Bears spot - not too close, not too far, Just Right ! (You can crop them down, but out of frame is gone!)
4) Turn Auto-Focus off - set it to just under infinity
5) If your camera doesn't have a "Fireworks" preset mode (Some do, actually ! ) try this - ISO 100, f/8 , 2 second exposure. Anticipate the shell burst, and trigger as close to the "Pop" as you can - enjoy!
Oh, and it's July - bug dope - they'll drag your finger off the button at the wrong time ! Oh, and remote trigger if you have it !
Some like structure in the foreground (Or reflect off the lake), but I like mostly straight BOOM!
2) Take camera / Tripod / SD Card / Battery (Charged - don't ask)
3) Find a 3 Bears spot - not too close, not too far, Just Right ! (You can crop them down, but out of frame is gone!)
4) Turn Auto-Focus off - set it to just under infinity
5) If your camera doesn't have a "Fireworks" preset mode (Some do, actually ! ) try this - ISO 100, f/8 , 2 second exposure. Anticipate the shell burst, and trigger as close to the "Pop" as you can - enjoy!
Oh, and it's July - bug dope - they'll drag your finger off the button at the wrong time ! Oh, and remote trigger if you have it !
Some like structure in the foreground (Or reflect off the lake), but I like mostly straight BOOM!
Nov 6, 2011 13:51:06 #
There also must be some tricks the photographers use for capturing those awesome lightning shots.
Please share...........
Please share...........
Nov 6, 2011 18:21:18 #
Ugly Jake wrote:
5) If your camera doesn't have a "Fireworks" preset mode (Some do, actually ! ) try this - ISO 100, f/8 , 2 second exposure. Anticipate the shell burst, and trigger as close to the "Pop" as you can - enjoy!
5) If your camera doesn't have a "Fireworks" preset mode (Some do, actually ! ) try this - ISO 100, f/8 , 2 second exposure. Anticipate the shell burst, and trigger as close to the "Pop" as you can - enjoy!
Great images and suggestions Jake.
I might add if you have IS/VR on your lens to turn it off if mounted on the tripod.
Also try varying the exposure times. Using a cable trigger if you have on makes this very easy, Just count 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, ETC
Also try varying the F stop to 11 even.
I sat our riverbank with two cameras mounted on tripods, with cable releases going through the entire show. I used a wide 10-22mm on one, and a 28-70mm on the other.
For some psychedelic pictures if you are using a zoom, try zooming it as the picture is being taken...
...also add some deliberate "Shake" to the image by moving the tripod a little... Lots of fun can be had with fireworks, I just wish we had more here! Show only lasts for about 20 minutes and its done!
We had about 25 from my camera group and it was so amazing how though we were all in effectively the same place, how different our images were!
Check your results to see everything is where you want it and adjust accordingly. You won't know for sure what you will have till you get home. A lot of fun!
Nov 6, 2011 21:08:41 #
This is my favorite fireworks shot.
Going up and coming down.
Just a lucky capture during a rapid fire fireworks shoot.
Going up and coming down.
Just a lucky capture during a rapid fire fireworks shoot.
Nov 6, 2011 22:44:20 #
Jenn
Loc: Alabama
Here's a couple of my attempts at fireworks. I know there could be some tweaking done but....
Nov 7, 2011 17:48:33 #
Nov 7, 2011 20:44:58 #
JBTaylor
Loc: In hiding again
Rather than commit to a particular length of time with the shutter speed use the "B". Then you can wing it and capture one or multiple fireworks'. A tripod is almost a necessity to avoid adding curly patterns from camera shake. Use ISO 100. f stop can vary. f/16 can preserve the color, but f/11, 8, or 5.6 show more atmosphere, light up landmarks in the foreground or background. A remote shutter release is also very convenient to use.
Also, if you have a kit lens without a focusing ring, just focus on the first fireworks as they happen and then switch to manual leave it there and to start later exposures before there something to focus on.
Also, if you have a kit lens without a focusing ring, just focus on the first fireworks as they happen and then switch to manual leave it there and to start later exposures before there something to focus on.
Nov 7, 2011 21:16:33 #
I 'm going to have a 50 mm and a 18-200mm lens with me which lens would be the best to use???
Nov 7, 2011 22:05:10 #
JBTaylor
Loc: In hiding again
khansotte wrote:
I 'm going to have a 50 mm and a 18-200mm lens with me which lens would be the best to use???
Whatever frames the shot the best. You won't need the speed of the 50mm. And if, once the fireworks begin, you are shooting from a fixed location, you can try different focal lengths. I can't remember if I had to refocus since it's already near infinity. I pretty much left it except to get in closer to some smaller fireworks.
Are you shooting near a body of water? Some wider shots to get the reflections in the water could be nice.
Nov 7, 2011 22:17:37 #
I have noticed that many of the really nice fireworks shots are prosessed using overlays.
Nov 7, 2011 22:42:42 #
khansotte wrote:
I 'm going to have a 50 mm and a 18-200mm lens with me which lens would be the best to use???
Which ever puts you at the right distance.
Which gives you better images?
Get there early for the best position. Test both of them.
You can always switch 1/2 way through. Then tell and show us your favorites.
Nov 7, 2011 22:51:16 #
Here are some websites I like for fireworks,
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Photograph_Fireworks
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Photograph_Fireworks
Nov 8, 2011 06:32:20 #
Nov 8, 2011 09:42:50 #
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