How I shoot fireworks (Page 3): I use Tripod, Bulb Setting, Remote and a charcoal grey card (about 4" X 4") I open the shutter and use the card in front of the lens

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How I shoot fireworks

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Jul 4, 2023 19:21:32 #

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

I use Tripod, Bulb Setting, Remote and a charcoal grey card (about 4" X 4")

I open the shutter and use the card in front of the lens - move it away for fireworks, move it back when nothing is going on. Each shot is 30 - 60 seconds. This has given me very good results.

Jul 4, 2023 19:22:55 #

User ID

Heather Iles wrote:

User ID wrote:

I do almost the opposite. Fireworks pretty much paint their own picture regardless of what we do to them. Sample attached.

Sorry, I prefer his. It is superior.

It has those looooong superior tracings.

Jul 4, 2023 20:01:25 #

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

grandpaw wrote:

How about this one

You forgot to include airfare to Orlando, Fl.

Jul 4, 2023 22:06:58 #

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Heather Iles wrote:

Does it really matter?

I agree. We are sometimes short on the social skills on this forum or, at least, some folks are. On another matter, I have to say that you possess one of prettier names I've heard. I looked at your postings and in one of them from a few years ago, you mentioned at you lived near Crewkerne. That is interesting to me because in the early 1630's my 9th great grandfather, William Phelps, sailed on a ship, The Mary & John, from southwest England and settled Dorchester south of Boston. Then a few years later, he was one of original settlors of Connecticut. William Phelps was from Crewkerne. You no doubt have tread some of the same ground that he walked on. Thank you.

Jul 4, 2023 22:37:50 #

zarathu Loc: Bar Harbor, MDI, Maine

Usually I am distance challenged, and so while my wife brought my old Sigma 100-400(140-560 with her 1.4 teleconverter) for her camera, I did not bring an adapter to use it with mine. I was about 2/3 mile and about 200 feet up. While I could get shots of the lines on the four masted schooner, and the people on the boat about 1 mile away, I was too close for the 1120mm or even 800mm lens, and would have been able to get the whole fireworks into the frame with the 140-560 instead. I was shooting at ISO 50, 10-15s, and F11. The 800/1120 is a fixed aperture lens. But I did get some great detailed part shots. I was on a tripod, with a shutter release.

Jul 4, 2023 23:47:32 #

sallymay26

Thank you for sharing this information! It's very helpful, and the picture is beautiful!!!

Jul 4, 2023 23:50:33 #

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

ImageCreator wrote:

An example would be helpful.

Another way with some samples is posted here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-580096-1.html

Jul 5, 2023 05:46:38 #

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Do you want to cancel the 4th of July? The darn thing comes out on the SAME day every year! Thanks for posting, everyone. It's nice to celebrate with colorful images- every year!

Jul 5, 2023 07:12:47 #

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

grandpaw wrote:

As in everything there are many ways to accomplish the same thing, so use whatever method that works best for you. I post this every year because there are a lot of readers or members that haven't tried shooting fireworks and I thought this might be helpful. This works for me and it should work for anyone that tries it but by no means is the only way to take fireworks photos but I know that it has worked for many that have tried it over the years. Happy shooting!!!

I for one appreciate this
Feel better

Jul 5, 2023 07:23:08 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

grandpaw wrote:

How about this one

Classic!

Jul 5, 2023 09:02:47 #

1grumpybear

Last night near Yosemite

Jul 5, 2023 11:46:12 #

10MPlayer Loc: California

Thanks for taking the time. If I remember next year I'll consult your article.

Jul 5, 2023 13:36:54 #

loismiller

I did what you recommended & a big thank you. Improved my fireworks
photos.

Jul 5, 2023 13:39:45 #

grandpaw

loismiller wrote:

I did what you recommended & a big thank you. Improved my fireworks
photos.

Glad it worked for you and thanks for letting me know!

Jul 5, 2023 15:07:41 #

Latsok Loc: Recently moved to Washington State.

grandpaw wrote:

There are many methods that work and I am giving you the method that has worked for me over many years.

How I shoot fireworks

Things you will need…. A camera that will shoot in manual mode, A tripod, Flashlight,and the knowledge of how to change shooting modes and settings on your camera. Don't wait until you get to the show and it is about to start to try and figure out how to change the settings on your camera because it is too late at that point.

I have been taking fireworks photos for many years and if you follow my instructions I guarantee you will come away with a bunch of exciting and colorful images even if it is your first time.

Choosing your location… Do you want to capture just the bursts of fireworks in the air or add a foreground element, such as some trees or buildings. Once you have made that decision we can work on getting the settings where you need them on your camera.. Whether you are near or far from the action of the fireworks they will cover a very wide area so make sure you bring a wide enough angle lens to capture as much of the color and excitement as you can. It is easier to crop out dead space than cut off half of the fireworks.

These are the settings that I use and they never fail to produce great images. Manual mode, ISO 100, F16 and a 10 second exposure. When the first blast goes off I take a shot at maybe 1/30 of a second and check to make sure my focus is spot on. At that point I switch to a 10 second exposure and what that does is allows me to get several blasts in one image, making it more interesting and colorful. I press the shutter down and at the end of ten seconds when I hear the shutter click I just press it again and start my next exposure, and repeat this during the entire show. This will give you about five exposures a minute so if the show is about 20 minutes long you will end up with approximately a hundred images.

Using ISO 100 will eliminate the grain and give you the best color. Using F16 will give you much more definition in the streaks and bursts. Using a 10 second shutter will give you more blasts in each image and eliminate you having to time your shots. Remember this is all done on a tripod.

Hope this helps. Sorry I didn't post it earlier but I have been in bed sick all week.

There are many methods that work and I am giving y... (show quote)

Or, you can use an I-phone! 😉😁😜

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