Shooting fireworks: I have a Nikon D 5300 will be using and 18 to 55 mm 3.5 to 5.6 lens for shooting fireworks this weekend. I have filters if needed but was told to shoot and about...

dyximan

I have a Nikon D 5300 will be using and 18 to 55 mm 3.5 to 5.6 lens for shooting fireworks this weekend. I have filters if needed but was told to shoot and about
F-16, and 2 to 4 second shutter speed, with an ISO of 100, and a tripod of course.
But may use my 55 to 304.5 to 5.6 set at about the same any suggestions. Or should I simply shoot and adjust as needed I will be less than a quarter a mile from the fireworks

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

dyximan wrote:

I have a Nikon D 5300 will be using and 18 to 55 mm 3.5 to 5.6 lens for shooting fireworks this weekend. I have filters if needed but was told to shoot and about
F-16, and 2 to 4 second shutter speed, with an ISO of 100, and a tripod of course.
But may use my 55 to 304.5 to 5.6 set at about the same any suggestions. Or should I simply shoot and adjust as needed I will be less than a quarter a mile from the fireworks

http://vtube.video/en/play/YzhUZTA1VkZRcGM

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

dyximan wrote:

I have a Nikon D 5300 will be using and 18 to 55 mm 3.5 to 5.6 lens for shooting fireworks this weekend. I have filters if needed but was told to shoot and about
F-16, and 2 to 4 second shutter speed, with an ISO of 100, and a tripod of course.
But may use my 55 to 304.5 to 5.6 set at about the same any suggestions. Or should I simply shoot and adjust as needed I will be less than a quarter a mile from the fireworks

The wider the aperture the brighter the bursts will be. I find F11 is a good compromise, unless you are very close, then even smaller is better. I did this at F22 and 1.3 secs at ISO 200 and I was less than 300 ft away.

(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dyximan wrote:

I have a Nikon D 5300 will be using and 18 to 55 mm 3.5 to 5.6 lens for shooting fireworks this weekend. I have filters if needed but was told to shoot and about
F-16, and 2 to 4 second shutter speed, with an ISO of 100, and a tripod of course.
But may use my 55 to 304.5 to 5.6 set at about the same any suggestions. Or should I simply shoot and adjust as needed I will be less than a quarter a mile from the fireworks

Lots of info here.

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-pictures-of-fireworks/
http://www.diyphotography.net/how-to-easily-edit-and-blend-fireworks-photos-in-photoshop/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-photograph-fireworks
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/fvttrrsx/taking-pictures-of-fireworks.html
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/fireworks-photography-tips/

dparker708

Your shot of the fireworks is simply gorgeous. Can I buy a print from you?

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

This will blow your mind. I decided to experiment with a fireworks display last weekend and I came to the conclusion that it really does not matter what your settings are and you do not have to have a tripod handy. These were all hand held and I had to shoot at a faster shutter speeed because of how rapidly they were being fired. Keep in mind that I was just fooling around.

F 3.5 @ 1/40 sec. ISO 1000
F 3.5 @ 1/40 sec. ISO 1000...

(Download)

F3.5 @ 1/80 sec. ISO 400
F3.5 @ 1/80 sec. ISO 400...

(Download)

johnfpeterson

My general rules of thumb: Use a tripod and a cable shutter release. Set camera to Bulb, manual focus to infinity, f-stop f/13 or thereabouts, ISO 100 or 200 depending on camera. When bursts start going off, press shutter release for anywhere from 5 to 45 seconds, depending on what you are seeing. Take lots of shots early on because smoke will start obscuring things pretty quickly.

Here are three photos for examples.

First one taken from a friend's home in Redondo Beach with a D3 from a distance of about ½ mile using my 70-200mm set at 90mm, ISO 200 f/13, exposure 4 seconds.

The others taken in Pacific Palisades with bursts going off almost overhead 500 feet away with a D800 using my 24-120mm set at 55mm, ISO 100 f/11, exposure 4.8 seconds and 5.8 seconds.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Freedom Festival fireworks, In the rain! F22, ISO 200, 5-10 seconds.

johnfpeterson wrote:

My general rules of thumb: Use a tripod and a cabl... (show quote)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

At ISO 100 I would suggest that you go f11 with a shutter speed of 2 secs. It is necessary to check the results but I would say those settings are about right.
Make sure your WB is set to sunlight.
Enjoy

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

tainkc wrote:

This will blow your mind. I decided to experiment with a fireworks display last weekend and I came to the conclusion that it really does not matter what your settings are and you do not have to have a tripod handy. These were all hand held and I had to shoot at a faster shutter speeed because of how rapidly they were being fired. Keep in mind that I was just fooling around.

Thanks for telling us about your "fooling around"! This is the kind of information needed as I'm hoping to go to a fireworks display tomorrow night to practice for New Years fireworks in Edinburgh this winter and I don't want to have to be dragging around a tri or monopod at either event. BTW - your shots are terrific!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

SueScott wrote:

Thanks for telling us about your "fooling around"! This is the kind of information needed as I'm hoping to go to a fireworks display tomorrow night to practice for New Years fireworks in Edinburgh this winter and I don't want to have to be dragging around a tri or monopod at either event. BTW - your shots are terrific!

Keep in mind what others have suggested. They are correct. However, Fireworks are usually bright enough that one can use an ISO of 200 with a speed of around 1/100sec., keep the aperture wide open, and still get a half way decent shot, hand held. You would need a steady hand though. I would not go above ISO 400 for fear of introducing too much noise.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

I got really nice results with camera on a tripod, manual mode with ISO 100, f11, and 10 sec exposure . . .

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Use F9 or F11, bulb mode with a wired remote, Tripod, ISO 100, manual (infinity) focus. Definitely not F16, unless you are really close use the 55-300 with the same settings and time your shutter releases to catch several bursts. Just a simple count like the old one Mississippi two Mississippi and so on will get you close to a second for each Mississippi. I usually hold my shutter open for around 4-7 seconds depending on the burst frequency. Unless the fireworks guys are very consistent you may get some out of frame.

These shots were taken rather close in at 45mm with my Pentax K3 and Sigma 18-200. Last shot was 13.4 seconds to catch multiple bursts.

dyximan wrote:

I have a Nikon D 5300 will be using and 18 to 55 mm 3.5 to 5.6 lens for shooting fireworks this weekend. I have filters if needed but was told to shoot and about
F-16, and 2 to 4 second shutter speed, with an ISO of 100, and a tripod of course.
But may use my 55 to 304.5 to 5.6 set at about the same any suggestions. Or should I simply shoot and adjust as needed I will be less than a quarter a mile from the fireworks

(Download)

The Watcher

This one is from last forth, a good wind made for interesting photos. I call it Greenie and friends. Have a 12x18 on the wall.

10 sec @ F22, Iso 200, manual focus on the launch site About a quarter of a mile away.

(Download)