Fireworks - First Time: The Reds put on a fireworks show after tonight's game. They do this several times a season and you, obviously don't have to go to the game to benefit from the...

Shutterbug57

The Reds put on a fireworks show after tonight's game. They do this several times a season and you, obviously don't have to go to the game to benefit from the show. Tonight I went down to the Kentucky side of the river and took a crack at shooting the fireworks. I got a few shots that are worth enjoying and I learned a lot.

First, I took the wrong lenses. I took the Tamron 24-70/2.8 G2 and had it pegged at 24mm. Several shots had the fireworks running off one or more sides of the frame. Next time, the Nikkor 12-24/4.0 gets packed and the 80-200/2.8 stays home. Heck, the Tamron might as well stay home too if it never got longer than 24mm. Lightens the load and will get more of the downtown area in the shots.

I played with several shutter lengths and will have to look more at that tomorrow to see the correlation of shutter speed to keepers.

I hope you enjoy the show. THBS, the main reason I posted this here is to get constructive feedback. Please feel free to offer suggestions on how to improve this work. This was my first time shooting fireworks, so I assume there is much to be learned. I appreciate your constructive feedback.

(Download)

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

Tripod? Settings? I've yet to try fireworks,so any info is appreciated.Thanks

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

Oh yes,well done....

ssiretire Loc: Warsaw, KY

I believe I saw you tonight. I was at the railing behind you. You were using a tripod. It started raining so I had to leave. Great shots by the way. It was a beautiful night.

ssiretire Loc: Warsaw, KY

I was the guy behind you who left when it started raining.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

For fireworks, Manual settings are almost a must. Shutter speed should be set to "Bulb" with a remote cable release ..... as long as you hold the button down, the shutter will be open. I usually time it when I see the rocket just going up, then hold it until the burst has almost completed falling out of the sky. If your camera has something akin to "Live View", turn it on early in the show and manually focus your lens to the best sharpness, then leave it alone.

Shutterbug57

Daryl New wrote:

Tripod? Settings? I've yet to try fireworks,so any info is appreciated.Thanks

Tripod was a Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 which is 55” tall plus the head and holds 9kg.

Tripod head was a Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way, Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate which has a 8.8# rating, so half as much as the legs, but still plenty for my gear.

All were shot at ISO 100. On my D500.

The first 7 were at f/11 & 8 sec. The 2 last were at f/8 & 4 sec.

Shutterbug57

ssiretire wrote:

I believe I saw you tonight. I was at the railing behind you. You were using a tripod. It started raining so I had to leave. Great shots by the way. It was a beautiful night.

Not sure. I had my daughter with me and we were in Covington right on the river. We could see the stadium side of the big board. Looks like you were in possibly in Newport?

Shutterbug57

Bob Yankle wrote:

For fireworks, Manual settings are almost a must. Shutter speed should be set to "Bulb" with a remote cable release ..... as long as you hold the button down, the shutter will be open. I usually time it when I see the rocket just going up, then hold it until the burst has almost completed falling out of the sky. If your camera has something akin to "Live View", turn it on early in the show and manually focus your lens to the best sharpness, then leave it alone.

Yeah, that was another big learning point. I was shooting full manual, but I don’t have a cable release for my D500. That is a “have to get” item. I do have an old plunger style one that will work on my X-T2, so I could try that one.

I was doing the push & pray. I set the camera to 2 sec delay and just kept pushing the shutter as soon as the back screen (live view) came back on. Composition was a bit of dumb luck. I realized straight away I needed a remote release to control the content.

Irvingite Charles Loc: Irving, Tx

ssiretire Loc: Warsaw, KY

You are right. I was in the west end of B&B Riverboats lot.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice work on these.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice work! Impressive for a first time.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

Worked out pretty well I’d say, after looking at the downloads.

Shutterbug57

Thanks to all who have commented.